Peasant Name Generator

Humble medieval commoner names for villagers and serfs

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Generate medieval peasant names for serfs, cottars, alewives, shepherds, and village folk: short everyday given names paired with trade, place, and nickname bynames. Ideal for D&D NPCs, historical fiction, and worldbuilding.

About peasant names

Medieval peasants did not have fixed surnames. A villager had a short given name, usually a pet form like Wat, Hob, Dickon, Moll, or Tib, plus a byname that told the village who was meant. Bynames came from four places: a trade (Thatcher, Webster, Cooper, Alewife), a spot in the village (atte Well, Bythebrook, o' the Green, Underhill), a parent (Hobson, Watkins, Daughter of Gib), or a nickname (Goodfellow, Lightfoot, Smallbone, Gotobed). This generator mixes all four so a crowd of NPCs reads like a real manor roll.

The pool of given names was tiny. In most English villages half the men were John, William, Robert, or Richard, and half the women were Alice, Agnes, Joan, or Matilda, so the byname did the real work. Older Anglo-Saxon names like Wulfric, Godwin, Aelfgifu, and Eadgyth survived longest among the unfree, so they appear here as 'Wulfric the Oxherd' rather than among the lords.

The same pattern held across Europe, so you'll also find French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Slavic commoners (Perrin the Woodcutter, Hans Bauer, Pietro Contadino) for settings that reach beyond an English-style shire. Status words hint at a life: a cottar owns almost nothing, a franklin has land and opinions.

How to choose peasant names

  • Give every commoner NPC a byname that reveals something: a trade for the person players will hire, a place for the one who knows local gossip, a nickname for the comic relief.
  • Reuse the same handful of given names across a village (three Johns, two Alices) and let bynames tell them apart; it feels far more authentic than twenty unique first names.
  • Save Anglo-Saxon forms like Wulfric, Leofwin, and Eadgyth for the oldest or lowest-status villagers, and Norman-influenced names like Gilbert, Hugh, and Isolde for those closer to the manor.
  • Drop the byname in dialogue. Neighbors say 'Hob' or 'the miller,' not 'Hob Miller,' which is only how the reeve or the court roll would record him.
  • For a non-English setting, swap the byname language but keep the structure: trade word, place word, or parent's name after a short everyday first name.

Frequently asked questions

What were typical medieval peasant names?

Common given names were John, William, Robert, Thomas, Richard, Alice, Agnes, Joan, Matilda, and Emma, almost always shortened to Jack, Will, Hob, Tom, Dick, Alys, Annot, Joan, Maud, and Emm. They were paired with a trade (Miller, Smith, Baxter), a location (atte Well, Underhill), a parent (Watson, Hobson), or a nickname (Longshanks, Goodfellow).

Did peasants have last names?

Not in the modern hereditary sense until the late Middle Ages. A peasant had a byname that described him personally, so the miller's son who became a cooper would be called Cooper, not Miller. Many of these bynames only hardened into inherited surnames in the 1300s and 1400s.

What is the difference between a serf, a villein, a cottar, and a freeman?

Villeins and serfs were bound to the manor and owed labor to the lord; cottars and bordars were the poorest, holding just a cottage and a garden; sokemen, franklins, and freemen held land by rent and could leave. Names in this generator such as Godric Husbandman or Hob Hind signal where a character sits in that order.

Can I use these names for D&D or a fantasy novel?

Yes. The English-style names suit any standard fantasy village, the Anglo-Saxon forms fit older or more rustic settings, and the continental names help when your world has several human cultures. Mix them freely with the site's knight, blacksmith, and tavern generators for a complete town.

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All 500 peasant names

This is the complete list the generator above draws its random batches from, sorted A to Z and grouped by first letter.

Plain text, one name per line.

A: 58 names

  • Adam Cottar
  • Adam Furzebush
  • Adam Gibson
  • Adam Hobson
  • Adam Lackland
  • Adam Rushfield
  • Aeldreda Tart Seller
  • Aelfgifu the Weaver
  • Aelfric the Reaper
  • Aelfthryth the Wet Nurse
  • Aelfwine the Dauber
  • Aethelgyth the Laundress
  • Agmund Potter
  • Agnes Brewster
  • Agnes Lambkin
  • Agnes Laundress
  • Ailnoth Barleycorn
  • Ailwin Gongfarmer
  • Akulina Zhnitsa
  • Alan Ferryman
  • Aldhelm Loon
  • Aldith the Miller's Daughter
  • Alditha Widow of Hamo
  • Aldous Ploughshare
  • Aldred the Hedger
  • Alfgar Parsnip
  • Alfred the Well Digger
  • Alfwold Turnip
  • Algar Ostler
  • Alice Bythebrook
  • Alice Chapman
  • Alice Jenkins
  • Alis Thwaite
  • Alison Gibbs
  • Alison Hogge
  • Alison Merrylove
  • Alison the Alewife
  • Alson Quince
  • Alured Dungman
  • Alwin Sokeman
  • Alwin the Woodward
  • Alys atte Oak
  • Alys atte Well
  • Alys Silkwoman
  • Alys Yardley
  • Amice Hodgkins
  • Amice Lightfoot
  • Andrew Dobson
  • Anna Melkerin
  • Annes Toftman
  • Annora Rushworth
  • Anselm Pannager
  • Avelina Wife of Wat
  • Avelina Willoughby
  • Avice Flagon
  • Avice Hobson
  • Avice Seyer
  • Aylmer Affeeror

B: 22 names

  • Baldwin Forester
  • Bartholomew Nicholson
  • Bartle Mason
  • Beatrice Broadhead
  • Beatrice Pottage
  • Beatrice Reeve
  • Beatrice Tompkins
  • Benedict Reeve
  • Bennet Nettle
  • Beorn the Woodcutter
  • Beppe Mandriano
  • Berthe the Spinner
  • Bess Atstile
  • Bess o' the Mill
  • Beton Booth
  • Bette Sloe
  • Bondi Trencherman
  • Brice Netmender
  • Brictmer Oatcake
  • Brictric Cabbage
  • Brihtric the Fisher
  • Burgwynn the Gleaner

C: 25 names

  • Cecco Bifolco
  • Cecily Dairymaid
  • Cecily Hawkins
  • Cecily Mildmay
  • Cecily Spinner
  • Ceolred Hobnail
  • Ceolwyn Cornmonger
  • Christiana Wife of Jankin
  • Cisse Carr
  • Clement Pitchfork
  • Clement Wilson
  • Coenred Clodhopper
  • Colin Oxgang
  • Colin the Shepherd
  • Coll Chaff
  • Colle o' the Marsh
  • Colle Tiler
  • Cristiana Shuttle
  • Cristina Godsalve
  • Cristina Thresher
  • Custance Ferncliffe
  • Cuthbert Boor
  • Cuthbert the Hayward
  • Cuthswith the Weeder
  • Cwenhild the Washerwoman

D: 11 names

  • Davy Daubere
  • Denis Thornbury
  • Denise atte Brook
  • Diccon Dustyfoot
  • Dick Farthing
  • Dickon Fletcher
  • Dickon o' the Moor
  • Dickon Redhead
  • Drogo Warrener
  • Dunstan the Eeler
  • Dykon Cotman

E: 35 names

  • Eadburh the Goosegirl
  • Eadgifu the Nursemaid
  • Eadgyth the Alewife
  • Eadhild the Sheaf Binder
  • Eadwig the Netmaker
  • Ealdgifu Wafer Maker
  • Ealdgyth the Baker
  • Ecgbert Bumpkin
  • Edelina Fishwife
  • Edeva the Smith's Widow
  • Edith atte Townend
  • Edith Fuller
  • Edith Hicks
  • Edith Milkmaid
  • Edmund Rogerson
  • Edric the Sower
  • Edwy Onion
  • Elias Harrow
  • Elias Hicks
  • Elias Mower
  • Else Spinnerin
  • Elvira Lavandera
  • Emma atte Green
  • Emma atte Hythe
  • Emma Goodwife
  • Emma Regrater
  • Emme Pightle
  • Emmota Bramblewick
  • Ernald Pigman
  • Estmund Lighterman
  • Estrangia Rush Seller
  • Estrild Wax Chandler
  • Everard Bailiff
  • Everard Heather
  • Everwin Nightman

F: 2 names

  • Felicia Besom
  • Foma Kosar

G: 38 names

  • Gamel Gorse
  • Gemma Mungitrice
  • Geoffrey atte Moor
  • Geoffrey Fernhalgh
  • Geoffrey Lister
  • Geoffrey Robinson
  • Gerard Thistle
  • Gervase Dodson
  • Gib Saddler
  • Gib Scattergood
  • Gib Waynwright
  • Gibbon Hayrick
  • Gilbert Hayward
  • Gilbert Hobkinson
  • Gilbert Moneypenny
  • Gilbert Sykes
  • Godelive Mustarder
  • Godgifu the Dairymaid
  • Godith Collins
  • Godith Goodenough
  • Godith Trencher
  • Goditha Thatch
  • Godlefe Daughter of Hick
  • Godmund the Waller
  • Godric Husbandman
  • Godric the Fowler
  • Godwin Frankleyn
  • Goldeva the Wool Carder
  • Gonilda Nut Wife
  • Gregory Pinder
  • Gregory Scythe
  • Grete Magd
  • Grim Ladler
  • Guillemette the Weaver
  • Guillot the Goatherd
  • Gunnild Hurdle
  • Gunnilda Daughter of Dickon
  • Gybbe Furrowman

H: 40 names

  • Hakon Bowl Maker
  • Hamelin Hostler
  • Hamlet Hawthorn
  • Hamon Agister
  • Hamond Ridgeway
  • Hamonda Cherry Seller
  • Hanka Praczka
  • Hans Bauer
  • Hathewis the Fuller's Wife
  • Hawise Distaff
  • Hawise Swiftfoot
  • Hawise Tankard
  • Heinz Müller
  • Helewise Tallow
  • Henry Overhill
  • Henry Simkinson
  • Henry Tapster
  • Herbert Goatherd
  • Hereward the Quarryman
  • Hereward Tilemaker
  • Hick Lovelady
  • Higg Headland
  • Hilde Bäuerin
  • Hildith the Cheesemaker
  • Hob Goodbody
  • Hob Gotobed
  • Hob Miller
  • Hob Tinker
  • Hobkin Hind
  • Hodge Carter
  • Hodge Halfpenny
  • Hodge o' the Fen
  • Hodge Stringer
  • Hodgekin Tofteman
  • Hudde Muddyboots
  • Hugelina the Carter's Wife
  • Hugh atte Ashe
  • Hugh Halfacre
  • Hugh Rawlinson
  • Huw Colier

I: 10 names

  • Ibbot Hollybush
  • Idonea Baker
  • Idonea Quickly
  • Inés Lechera
  • Ingram Verderer
  • Isolda Loom
  • Isolde Gardener
  • Ivetta Widow of Hodge
  • Ivo Birchwood
  • Ivo Kmet

J: 30 names

  • Jack Arrowsmith
  • Jack Blackbeard
  • Jack o' the Lane
  • Jack Straw
  • Jacquot the Vintager
  • Jakes Crofter
  • Jakke Scarecrow
  • Jankin Chaloner
  • Jankin Cooper
  • Jankin Merryweather
  • Jankyn Longacre
  • Jehannot the Ploughman
  • Jenkin o' the Mill
  • Jenkin Sweetlove
  • Joan atte Mill
  • Joan Hogsflesh
  • Joan o' the Dale
  • Joan Underwood
  • Jocosa Wife of Hankin
  • John atte Lea
  • John Clayhanger
  • John Latimer
  • Jone Garthside
  • Jonet Sedgewick
  • Jordan Constable
  • Jordan Hayward
  • Jörg Knecht
  • Juliana Dobbs
  • Juliana Ferrour
  • Juliana Proudfoot

K: 7 names

  • Katerine Mossley
  • Katrein Wäscherin
  • Ketel Rag Gatherer
  • Kit Bythegate
  • Kit Malkin
  • Kit o' the Well
  • Kunz Schäfer

L: 19 names

  • Lapo Zappatore
  • Laurence Harryson
  • Lawrence Sorrel
  • Lefwin Garlic
  • Lenz Häusler
  • Leofgifu the Milkmaid
  • Leofric the Thatcher
  • Leofric Villein
  • Leofruna the Reeve's Daughter
  • Leofstan Brickmaker
  • Letice Crabtree
  • Lettice atte Marsh
  • Lettice Longbody
  • Lettice Noggin
  • Lieschen Kuhhirtin
  • Lope Porquerizo
  • Lucy Dobbins
  • Lucy Goosegirl
  • Lucy Malster

M: 40 names

  • Mabel Hobbs
  • Mabel Littlebody
  • Mabel Tapster
  • Mabel Webster
  • Mabil Leasow
  • Magge Withybed
  • Mahaut the Gleaner
  • Malkin Haythorn
  • Margaret Brownsmith
  • Margery atte Cross
  • Margery Dawkins
  • Margery Dyer
  • Margret Hüterin
  • Marion the Goosegirl
  • Mariot atte Fenne
  • Mariot Wattle
  • Mariota Wife of Robin
  • Martin Mattson
  • Marusza Prządka
  • Matilda Dickens
  • Matilda Frumenty
  • Matryona Doyarka
  • Matty Whitehead
  • Maud atte Ford
  • Maud Doolittle
  • Maud Huckster
  • Maud Simkins
  • Maud Tanner
  • Mazelina Apple Wife
  • Meg Brewster
  • Meg o' the Wood
  • Meg Ondyke
  • Menico Boscaiolo
  • Miles Tibson
  • Mingo Boyero
  • Mold Closeby
  • Moll Bythepond
  • Moll Kempster
  • Moll o' the Hill
  • Muriel Daughter of Perkin

N: 11 names

  • Nanni Pastore
  • Nell Atbrook
  • Nell Webster
  • Nencia Lavandaia
  • Nicholas Hedger
  • Nicholas Tomson
  • Nick Hooper
  • Nick Pennyfather
  • Nick Stonyfield
  • Nick Underhill
  • Nicol Cress

O: 12 names

  • Odo Fisher
  • Oliver Elder
  • Orabilia Herring Seller
  • Orm Spoonmaker
  • Osbert the Carter
  • Osgar Bone Picker
  • Osgod Tallowman
  • Osmund Cobson
  • Osmund Flail
  • Osric the Charcoal Burner
  • Oswald the Cowherd
  • Oswin Tosspot

P: 21 names

  • Parnel Pearmain
  • Pavel Pakhar
  • Peres Halfvirgater
  • Perkin Makepeace
  • Perkin Warrener
  • Pero Labrador
  • Perot Fallow
  • Perrette the Dairymaid
  • Perrin the Woodcutter
  • Peter Bucketmaker
  • Peter Dawson
  • Peter Shakespeare
  • Peter Wetfield
  • Petronilla Goose
  • Philip Alderson
  • Philip Jackson
  • Piers Lorimer
  • Piers o' the Brook
  • Piers Shepherd
  • Piers Truelove
  • Praskovya Pryakha

R: 32 names

  • Ralph Collinson
  • Ralph Napier
  • Ralph the Ploughman
  • Ralph Threeacres
  • Ralph Underdown
  • Ranulf Bythestone
  • Rauf Ditcher
  • Rauf Littlejohn
  • Rauf Swineherd
  • Reginald Hewson
  • Richard Bythehedge
  • Richard Chalkhill
  • Richard Hankinson
  • Richard Tucker
  • Robert Crowder
  • Robert Slack
  • Robert Wilkinson
  • Robin Atwell
  • Robin Fletcher
  • Robin o' the Dale
  • Robyn Cornstalk
  • Roger Greenhalgh
  • Roger Perkinson
  • Roger Townsend
  • Roger Walker
  • Rohese Egg Wife
  • Roland Beadle
  • Rolf Broadfield
  • Rosamund Yewdale
  • Rose Alewife
  • Rose Gilder
  • Rose Goodlove

S: 33 names

  • Sabelina Oyster Wench
  • Sabina Churn
  • Sabina Widow of Simkin
  • Saeward Leek
  • Sancho Pastor
  • Sandro Ortolano
  • Savary Eeler
  • Sewal Catchpole
  • Sewin Ryebread
  • Sibyl Barefoot
  • Sibyl Gleaner
  • Sibyl Robbins
  • Sibyl Weaver
  • Sigeric Hayseed
  • Sigrith the Herb Woman
  • Simkin Goodfellow
  • Simkin o' the Bridge
  • Simkin Tawyer
  • Simkin Woodward
  • Siric Dish Turner
  • Sisley Appleby
  • Siward Freeman
  • Siward the Beekeeper
  • Stan Oracz
  • Stephen Aletaster
  • Stephen Hudson
  • Stephen Oakley
  • Sunniva the Cottar's Wife
  • Swein Hide Dresser
  • Sybbe Medlar
  • Sybil Chaundler
  • Symkyn Furrow
  • Symond Beans

T: 18 names

  • Teresa Pastora
  • Thomas Jenkinson
  • Thomas Sandhill
  • Thomas Shearman
  • Thorald Treen Carver
  • Thurkil Horner
  • Thurstan Hazel
  • Thurstan Ridere
  • Tib Incroft
  • Tib o' the Fen
  • Tiffany Reedham
  • Toki Knacker
  • Tom Drinkwater
  • Tom Plowman
  • Tom Wainwright
  • Tomkin Landless
  • Tostig Tatterdemalion
  • Turstin Horsekeeper

U: 3 names

  • Ulfketel Peascod
  • Ulrich Tagelöhner
  • Ursel Gänsemagd

W: 31 names

  • Walkelin Woolsack
  • Walter Heyward
  • Walter Inthehale
  • Walter Smallacre
  • Walter Watson
  • Warin Mattock
  • Warin Woodreeve
  • Warner Parker
  • Wat Cobbler
  • Wat Longshanks
  • Wat o' the Green
  • Wat Penniless
  • Wat Thatcher
  • Wenthelin the Shepherd's Daughter
  • Wilcok Meadowcroft
  • Wilfrid Dungfork
  • Wilkin Hosier
  • Wilkin Smith
  • Wilkin Wellbeloved
  • William Attewater
  • William Hodgeson
  • Wimund Tithingman
  • Wulfgar the Sawyer
  • Wulfric Cottar
  • Wulfrun the Flax Puller
  • Wulfwyn the Midwife
  • Wymarc Rushlight
  • Wymark Cheesewright
  • Wymark Curtis
  • Wynstan Rustic
  • Wystan Clodpole

Y: 2 names

  • Yefim Pastukh
  • Ywain Muckraker