Editing John (section)

=== Medieval Europe ===

Following the [[Christianisation of Europe]], John became one of the most fashionable names across the continent. In [[England]], it is estimated that roughly one in five men bore the name during the [[13th century|13th]] and [[14th century|14th centuries]].<ref>McKinley, Richard (1990). ''A History of British Surnames''. Longman.</ref> The name was introduced to England by the [[Normans]] after the [[Norman Conquest of England|Conquest of 1066]], though it had existed in [[Anglo-Saxons|Anglo-Saxon]] contexts in its Latin form beforehand.

The name's association with religious authority was reinforced by its use among the papacy — [[Pope John I]] reigned in the 6th century, and subsequent popes continued the tradition, with [[Pope John XXIII]] being the most recent. Altogether 23 popes have taken the name John, more than any other papal name.<ref>Kelly, J.N.D. (1986). ''The Oxford Dictionary of Popes''. Oxford University Press.</ref>