Cedric

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A masculine first name of Anglo-Saxon origin, notably borne by the knight in Walter Scott's novel Ivanhoe
2. A male given name of English origin, famous from the Saxon character in Scott's historical novel Ivanhoe
3. An English masculine personal name of Old English origin, used for men and boys in English-speaking countries

Etymology: Walter Scott invented the name Cedric for his 1819 novel "Ivanhoe," and the character, a proud Saxon thane, became its best-known use. Scott's choice was probably a misreading of "Cerdic," the name of a Saxon king who founded the kingdom of Wessex, though it may instead derive from the Welsh "caredig," meaning "beloved." Because of that possible Welsh source, Cedric is a doublet of names such as Caradoc, Caratacus, Craddock and McCarthy, all of which descend from the same Brittonic root. The name's roots are thus split between two traditions. Scott, who drew heavily on medieval history for his romances, seems to have wanted a name that sounded authentically Anglo-Saxon for a character who opposes the Norman conquerors. An alternative theory holds that he drew on the Welsh name "Cedrych," which means "spectacular bounty," so the same name could honour both the Saxon past and the Welsh one.