Hello phreddy-ga,
There are many variations on this name, especially the male version.
In particular, the saint on whom the subsequent popularity of the name
was based can be called "Eustatius", "Eustace", "Eustachius", and
other variations. This saint was Roman general who converted upon
seeing a cross between the antlers of a stag, and after martyrdom
became the patron saint of hunters.
The name Eustatia, or Eustacia, or the other forms, does indeed come
from Greek. The original name in Greek was apparently Eustachios or
Eustakhios; this name came from the word eustachus, which basically
meant "fruitful". One source says Eustace and other variants derive
from a combination of "Eustakhios (Good Grapes; Good Harvest) and
Eustathios (Good Stability) from 'eu' (good), 'stakhys' (grapes), and
'stenai' (to stand)."
I used the following sources for this material.
"Eutachius"
The Catholic Community Forum
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/sainte17.htm
"Traditional English Names: Elliot-Gib"
Behind the Name
http://www.behindthename.com/nmc/eng_5.html
"Given name Euslatia", thread on <soc.genealogy.britain> (May 6-7,
1999)
Google Groups
http://groups.google.com/groups?threadm=19990506.162950.-287077.6.pparker4%40juno.com
"Eustace"
Edgar's Name Pages
http://www.geocities.com/edgarbook/names/e/eustace.html
- justaskscott-ga
Search terms used, individually or in combinations, on Google and
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