Tancred \t(a)-nc-red, tan-cred\ as a boy's name is of Old German origin, and the meaning of Tancred is "well-considered counsel or advice". Tancred was an 11th-century Norman knight who played a key part in the First Crusade. His story was made into an epic poem by Tasso and into operas by Rossini and Monteverdi, thus keeping the name alive today, especially in Italy.