Author’s Note: From the spelling on the tomb inscription – it is clear that the name in question is spelt ‘DARIИGOLD’ – with a reverse ‘И’ replacing the standard capitalised ‘N’. This is significant as many people spell this name as ‘Daringold’ – using the standard small ‘n’. The assumption is that it does not matter which way the ‘N-И’ faces as the meaning is exactly the same and unchanged – but is this assumption correct? I find it interesting that the ‘И’ as written above looks similar to the Roman numerals ‘VI’ – meaning ‘six’! ACW (25.9.2023)
DARiИGOLD Wyles (nee Crowe) – is a relative of mine. This lady passed away in 1688 CE – but as her date of birth is not recorded on the stone wall – we do not know how old she was or whether she died of illness, injury or natural causes. I hope this lady lived a long and happy life free from pain – as out of her genetics I have come into being -and so have my children! Over the years I have broached the subject of her ‘first’ or ‘Christian’ name – ‘DARIИGOLD’ – with a number of academic experts who state that they have never encountered this name before and that it must be the consequence of a ‘copying’ mistake or ‘hearing’ error! This certainly happens as in the past (particularly the 17th century CE) the English languish was not yet ‘Standardised’ and illiteracy abounded! Scribes (or ‘Scriveners’) were highly skilled – but these educated individuals often spelt the same word in different ways – even when this word appeared on the same page (Shakespeare was famous for doing this in his original texts)!
I think the stone-mason of Duddington engraved the base of St Maty’s Church around 1872 CE – but he was copying this name from an inscription made on an old tomb from 1688 CE before it was demolished to make way for the new ‘Vestry’. I assume that the deceased remains of the ‘Wyles’ family now reside under the foundations of the Vestry – with their names recorded on the ‘East-facing’ wall of the Vestry! The details of this now removed tomb and new Vestry can be read here:
The Mystery of the ‘Lost’ 1600s Wyles Tomb of Duddington
My quest is to assist my mother – Diane Wyles – in cracking the mystery of the etymology of the seemingly very rare first-name of ‘DARiИGOLD’. As can be seen from the above photograph – I am of the opinion that the name ‘Daringold’ is being spelt correctly. This exact same name appears in paper records held at the Northants Records Office – which includes a 17th century CE ‘Will’ and Deeds to a land transfer – where it is clearly written in exactly the same manner as can be seen above.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 