Medieval etymologies tied the Saracen name to false claims of Sarah’s descent

Evidence

Isidore elsewhere gives a fuller entry for Saracens: “Saracens [Saraceni] are so called, either because they claim to be born from Sarah or because (as the pagans say) they are of Syrian origin, like the Syrigenes [Syriginae]. They live in a vast desert. They are also called the Ishmaelites, as Genesis teaches, because they are from Ishmael. Or [they are called] Cedar from the name of Ishmael’s son. They are also called Hagarens [Agareni] from Hagar. They are, as we said, erroneously called Saracens, because they falsely pride themselves on being descendants of Sarah” (Etymologies, 9:2:57). — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1410 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Medieval writers invented false etymologies to explain the term Saracen; Medieval Europeans treated Saracen and pagan as interchangeable words; A mere resemblance of names drove medieval scholars to invent false historical connections (+7 more)

Broader Connections

• Medieval etymology falsely linked the name Saracens to Sarah #corroborates (0.97) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1410