Germanic names

[Alanus]

Ron,

You have hit the problem's heart. It seems that Germanic tribal ethnicity is almost impossible to ascertain. Some Germanic leaders had Celtic names (aka the Cimbri) and some Celts had Germanic ones. The most prolific recorders in historical context wrote in Latin, and thus Fraomar became Fraomarius, Generid became Generidus, etc.

I use the only early source-- the bible of Ulfilas-- and therefore overly compensate in terms of Gothic, although similar nameforms were certainly attested in West Germanic languages, as Chilperic has correctly pointed out. Frankly, with so little resources I rather doubt that we can go much further on this subject, although interesting and controversial as it is. I will stand by my allegations that a significant Germanic element, more from the cavalry than the foot, was present in Britain prior to the island's Anglo-Saxonization that slapped the "by" onto Teal. Assuredly, we do not know when the Equites Taifali arrived in Britain, but the window is a small one-- between 380 and 410, if we accept the latter date as an abandonment. And then we have perhaps more Germans, likely East Germanic, posted further north in the Equites Catafractarii. The positioning of the Taifali seems certain, enough for John Conyard's reenacting horsemen, but we have yet to confirm the Catafractarii beyond speculation and possible armor in the National Museums of Scotland. Since the "volunteer" service by good Roman youth was insignificant, we might view these horsemen as Germans, with maybe a few Alans, Celts, or Spaniards in the ala.

Best Regards,

Alanus
A.J. Campbell, horsebow fanatic, barbarian reenactor... and old fart.