English
Palfrey
Palfrey comes from Anglo-Norman palefrei ‘steed’, and goes back to Late Latin paraverēdus ‘post horse, spare horse’.
- Late Latinc. 200–600 CEparaverēdus‘post horse, spare horse’
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400palefroi
- Anglo-Normanc. 1066–1400palefrei‘steed’
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500palfrey
- EnglishtodayPalfrey
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Late Latinc. 200–600 CEparaverēdus‘post horse, spare horse’
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400palefroi
- Anglo-Normanc. 1066–1400palefrei‘steed’
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500palfrey
- EnglishtodayPalfrey
The story
Metonymic occupational surname for a man responsible for the maintenance and provision of saddle-horses, from Middle English palfrey.
Every English word from Late Latin paraverēdus
Today it means
name A surname from Middle English.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Late Latin paraverēdus / Palfrey