Ambrose, derived from the Latin 'Ambrosius', which means 'immortal' or 'divine', was quite popular during medieval times, particularly among the French nobility. The name was brought to England by the Normans after the 1066 conquest and has since been associated with several notable figures in history and literature.
One of the most prominent bearers of this name was Saint Ambrose (c.340-397), an influential theologian and bishop of Milan. He is revered as a saint in both the Catholic and Orthodox churches, and his writings on theology and ethics have significantly contributed to Christian thought. His feast day is celebrated on December 7th.
In literature, Ambroise was used by French authors like Chrétien de Troyes for characters in their Arthurian romances. For instance, in 'Le Chevalier de la Charette', Ambroise appears as one of King Arthur's knights who rescues the queen from a giant.
The name Ambrose has also been used in various forms throughout history, such as Ambrosius (a 5th-century Romano-British king), Ambrosinus (the Latin name of Merlin in some versions of the Arthurian legend), and Ambrogio (an Italian variant). Today, it is still occasionally used but remains relatively rare compared to its peak during medieval times.
"Ambrous saw its peak popularity in the year 1922 with a total of 6 births."