Copyright © 1995 - Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.
As [Name] is the name of an Irish lake and there is no evidence that geographic names were used as personal names in period, we have modified this to the almost identically pronounced Irish given name [Name].... Though there are a number of geographic entities in Ireland that bear names which were used in period as given names, either for humans or non-human figures of legend, in every case that we have been able to find, the geographic name is derived from the individual, not the reverse. (LoAR 30 Oct 88, p. 3)
[(Name) (Name)-no-Okami] By the submittor’s own documentation, the name Okami is a family name rather than a given name. While many family names, particularly those involving totemic beasts also appear as elements in given names, not all such names exist as given names in themselves. In fact, this appears to be the exception rather than the rule.... Additionally, as several commenters pointed out, the final two syllables in practical pronunciation, would be almost indistinguishable from "no-kami" which is the approved Japanese equivalent for "Lord" in the Society. This being so, the collocation should be rigorously avoided. Also, the passages provided by the submittor from Japanese Names and How to Read Them indicate that the "no" element would not be written in a name construction of family name plus clan name plus personal name. (LoAR 27 Sep 86, p. 12)
Some commenters raised the issue of the suffix "-ko" as potentially a reserved title suffix indicating a prince or duke. However, substantial evidence has been presented that the suffix itself should not be reserved. I.V. Gillis in the preface to Japanese Personal Names says "Women’s ordinary personal names, are commonly written in hiragana, but more formally with Chinese characters as with men. These names are usually short, consisting of but one or two syllables, rarely three or more. The diminutive ko is often suffixed. . ." (LoAR 26 Oct 86, p. 4)
It is Laurel’s conviction that the precedent of "Decrease Mather", which was registered, sets a fairly wide latitude for names that play on the meaning and context of their elements in this manner. This name does not really go beyond those wide boundaries. Also, ... we do not by tradition ban anachronistic names. (When a Viking can sit next to an Elizabethan lady at high table, it would probably be a futile effort.) (LoAR 30 Sep 89, p. 3)
While [it] is correct ... that period orthography is often variable, Latin is much less so.... [Name] is a regular third declension noun and tends to maintain the standard endings with a fair amount of rigidity, although the other portions of the name may vary quite a bit. (LoAR Aug 87, p. 13)
Caesius, which is a cognomen or nickname, would have been preceded by a praenomen or given name and a gentile or clan name in the classical period. However, such two element names as this were relatively common in the late medieval and Renaissance period amongst those who would emulate the classical learning, whilst lacking it. Specifically, Caesius came to be regarded as equivalent to a given name (like Vergil and Ovid, etc.) due in part to the Caesius Bassus to whom Persius dedicated one of his works. (LoAR Aug 87, p. 16)
The name was submitted as [Diminutive Name].... We have substituted the non-diminutive form of the name. Although he may be commonly called [Diminutive Name], the presupposition is that his legal given name is [Name] or some other full name. (LoAR 25 Jan 87, p. 5)
NR10 notes with regard to a mundane name used as a Society name under the mundane names exemption that "it must still be a recognized name. Some names, such as Moon Unit, are in the gray area between these rules and judgement will be exercised on appropriateness." In this case, [Name] is, both in period and today, perceived as a famous place name and is not a recognized personal name. (LoAR 25 Jan 87, p. 17)
While this name [Andrew] undoubtedly violates the spirit of the law requiring a modification of the mundane name [Andy], it clearly adheres to its letter. (LoAR 24 May 87, p. 6)
NR12 requires that the name which seeks an exemption by virtue of its being the mundane name must be used as [the] portion of the name "corresponding" to the mundane name element, i.e. first name to first name, last name to last name, etc. (LoAR 26 Jul 87, p. 9) (See also: LoAR 27 Sep 87, p. 12)
The exception for mundane names in the Rules for Submission applies to the actual mundane name, not to a supposed variant or to a translation. (LoAR 27 Sep 87, p. 8)
[Dublin] "The stated intention of NR12 is to make allowance for the submittor who bears what is now thought of as a given name but in period was only a surname." ... This is not the case with Dublin.... Clearly, the "modern" effect here is so disruptive that the leniency granted to mundane names which will not overly disrupt the medieval ambience of the Society cannot be allowed in this case. [Registered on appeal for parallel with period Irish given "Dubhlan", Jul 88] (LoAR 28 Nov 87, p. 7)
NR11 specified that a submittor’s Society name may not be identical in sound or spelling to his mundane name. (LoAR Aug 88, p. 16)
To take advantage of the mundane name allowance, a name must be in the same relative position it occupies in the mundane name.... This ruling has been repeatedly affirmed under several Laurels. (LoAR 30 Apr 89, p. 15)
If the submittor’s actual legal name is [Name], then he should be able to provide [documentation] easily.... If it is not [Name], then he is not entitled to the leniency of the "mundane name allowance". (LoAR 21 May 89, p. 18)
[de Fay] This is a documented French family name that alludes to an abode by a beech tree, not the form with the simple article (e.g., "le Fee") which has been returned for appearance of claim to non-human origins. (LoAR 30 Sep 89, p. 3)
[of Evenstar] The byname raised a number of twitches with the College with its overtones of non-human origin. (LoAR 31 Dec 89, p. 21)
Since the submittor indicated that the name should be Old Norse, I have modified the patronymic [(Name)datter] to the proper Old Norse form [(Name)dottir]. (LoAR 27 Sep 86, p. 2)
The elements in the given name could not be documented as name elements, rather than independent words and the period Scandinavian languages, where they were not "borrowing" Biblical names, generally were like Old German, Old English and Old Norse in drawing "prothemes" and "deuterothemes" from a fixed pool of words. (LoAR 28 Dec 86, p. 15)
Unfortunately, "t" is not interchangeable with the character transliterated as "th" in Old Norse, the language specifically stated to be the language of intent. The submittor clearly indicated that he wished the second part of the name to mean "Thor" so the "th" consonant must be used. (LoAR 25 Jan 87, p. 19)
This is, unfortunately, a case where context makes this name unacceptable. Thora is a perfectly good Norse theophoric name and has been registered in the past. The submittor also provided maps showing that Asgardur is, on modern maps at least, a location in Iceland.... However, to almost everyone in the Society Asgard (Old Norse Asgardr) means but one thing: the home of the gods in the Scandinavian pantheon. This is just not an acceptable "home town" for someone in the Society. That this place name is combined with a name which differs by only one letter from that of one of the most prominent of the Aesir only makes the twitches produced by the name more pronounced. (LoAR 29 Mar 87, p. 22)
The [Norse] citations noted ... unfortunately are all from the Penguin English translations, which are notoriously random in their forms: although they seldom obscure the given names and patronymics often take modern English forms or are compounded of modern and period forms. (LoAR 26 Apr 87, p. 12)
The definite article is suffixed to the noun in Norwegian. (LoAR 27 Nov 88, p. 2)
In October, 1988 ... Laurel stated "we would dearly like to see some clear period documentation for the genitive form of "Bjorns", but have not thus far been presented with any. [Some] have responded to this challenge ... in providing period examples from Sveriges Medeltida Personnama (col. 318-326, 343-346). This compilation of period personal names from Swedish sources contains dates for each documented form. This tome documents such period genitive forms as "Biornar", "Biorns", and "Byorns", showing the precise sort of alternations of form for which Laurel had asked ("Biorns" is shown as early as 1360). The feminine patronymic form is demonstrated from the fourteenth century as well ("Marghet Bjronsdotter" from 1368, "Cecilia Biornsdoter" from 1377, etc.). (LoAR 26 Feb 89, p. 9)
While there is a tendency in modern sources to apply the term Scylding to the Danes in general, when distinguishing them from the other "Viking" peoples, the term more properly applies to the early Danish royal house ... and it is in this sense that it would be most commonly interpreted by a member of our Society. (LoAR 21 Feb 88, p. 11) [Name returned]
[Bakersdatter] There is significant doubt about the use of occupational surnames formed with the feminine patronymic particle in period Scandinavian languages and the submission gives no evidence to support this. (LoAR 23 Apr 88, p. 14)
We have been forced to the conclusion that the name ... has become so notorious and controversial that it cannot be registered to anyone at this time.... There is ample precedent for finding against a submission because of its historical associations in the mundane sphere. It seems unreasonable and unwise to dismiss our own history as being of lesser value and less likely to carry the seeds of offense.... No compromise appears possible between the parties and it is clear that the use of [Name] is causing the same sort of disruption/offense usually associated with the sort of mundane items which have been refused registration because of their mundane historical associations. (LoAR 25 Feb 90, pp. 17-18)
This name caused a certain amount of controversy since it is by no means clear that "Jesus" was used by ordinary individuals in period and there is some evidence from Dauzat that it may have been "taboo" during the medieval period. (LoAR 29 Apr 90, p. 3)
The addition or removal of a single adjective or adjectival phrase, such as a patronymic, is not adequate to difference a name (NR7). Note that the addition of a single secondary patronymic in Celtic languages such as Welsh or Gaelic contributes little difference since in colloquial usage the name formation tends to be a given name plus a single patronymic even if a further patronymic appears in formal documents. (LoAR 25 Jan 87, p. 21)
The form of the patronymic is not correct since the particle [ap] is Welsh and "[Name]" purely English. (LoAR 28 Feb 87, p. 22)
Both my predecessors have with great consistency upheld the rule that both elements of a patronymic name must be derived from the same language or a language combination that would demonstrably have occurred (e.g., "mac" plus an English given name form in the Lowlands of Scotland). (LoAR 29 Mar 87, p. 19)
The use of the Norman French patronymic [fitz] with an English occupational name [Smith] finds no support. (LoAR 26 Apr 87, p. 2)
While there is evidence that the "-ovna" ending is only used with the father’s name (i.e., metronymics of general ancestral names are not commonly used in Russian), the general use of metronymics in the Society in contexts where the mundane world might not use them would seem to justify the extreme nervousness this name induced in many of the members of the College of Arms. (LoAR 24 May 87, p. 11)
As [Name] is a family name derived from a place name, the patronymic particle [Mc] is inappropriate. (LoAR 26 Jul 87, p. 6)
[ferch Ollam] "Ollam" is a rank of bard and is not appropriate for a patronymic in the Society. The submittor’s own documentation defines the word to mean "a learned man of the highest rank" so that the use of the patronymic may be interpreted as a claim to rank and therefore fall afoul of NR13. (LoAR Aug 87, p. 12)
The form "feld" appears in the OED as a period variant for field so there is no linguistic miscegenation of the placename [Blackfeld]. (LoAR 27 Sep 86, p. 2)
The submittor’s own documentation indicated that "min" in an "inseparable preposition" from Hebrew. By our rules this means that the place name would have either to be Hebraic or be from a language which demonstrably merged in this manner. (LoAR 28 Feb 87, p. 24)
Since no evidence for [Place] could be adduced other than its demonstrably out-of-period usage for the submittor’s home town..., that portion of the name has been dropped in order to register the remainder of the name. (LoAR 14 Jun 87, p. 3)
By modifying the place name the claim to descent from the historical [Name] is diminished to the point of invisibility. (LoAR 26 Jul 87, p. 4)
While the rules clearly agree ... that documentation is required for period use when a name is demonstrably a place name in period (which Brandon is, as early as 975!), the consensus of opinion in the College was that it would be reasonable to add Brandon to the handfull of out-of-period names (Fiona, Corwin, etc.) that are accepted in Society use since only an "a" and "o" separate it from the acceptable "Brendan" and the pronunciation of the two names in the dialects that predominate in modern America are nearly identical. (LoAR 26 Jul 87, pp. 10-11)
The patronymic on the original submission ... is compounded of the French patronymic "Fitz" and the Old German (not Anglo-Saxon, as stated in the letter of intent) given name "[Name]". It was the consensus of opinion in the College that the conjunction of the two languages here is unlikely and violates the rules on combination of languages in a single name. (LoAR 26 Oct 86, p. 3)
As [Name] is the Anglicised version of the name, used only as a last name so far as our sources show, the use of the Irish patronymic particle seem inappropriate and so has been dropped. (LoAR 28 Dec 86, p. 9)
The problem with the polylingual names so common in our Society is that their use is predicated on the assumption that the person in question moved in more than one nation in the course of their career. This requires that we check for conflict beyond the limits of a single language into translated forms that would not have been common in period. In fact, this personage with a Scots given name and the English family name [Surname] would have been called Ian [Surname] in Scotland (because there was no ready translation for [Surname]), but would have regularly been called John [Surname] in England. (LoAR 28 Dec 86, p. 16) [Name returned for conflict]
The form of the patronymic is not correct since the particle [ap] is Welsh and "[Name]" purely English. (LoAR 28 Feb 87, p. 22)
The submittor’s own documentation indicated that "min" in an "inseparable preposition" from Hebrew. By our rules this means that the place name would have either to be Hebraic or be from a language which demonstrably merged in this manner. (LoAR 28 Feb 87, p. 24)
Both elements of a patronymic name must be derived from the same language or a language combination that would demonstrably have occurred (e.g., "mac" plus an English given name form in the Lowlands of Scotland). (LoAR 29 Mar 87, p. 19)
The use of the Norman French patronymic [fitz] with an English occupational name [Smith] finds no support. (LoAR 26 Apr 87, p. 2)
You cannot use a German article with an Old Norse noun. (LoAR 31 Oct 87, p. 11)
The use of the French adjective "argent" in this manner, prefixed to an English noun, does not seem to be period, although "Silver[noun]" would be fine. (LoAR 24 Jan 88, p. 9)
The use [of an Anglicised form of an Irish given name] with the Welsh patronymic particle "ap" is inappropriate. (LoAR 21 Feb 88, p. 12)
As the remainder of the name is Anglicized, the Gaelic preposition na seemed decidedly out of place so the lingua franca preposition [of] has been substituted. (LoAR of 23 Apr 88, p. 1)
[O’Drake] As the patronymic particle does not seem to have been used with English surnames in this manner, we have dropped it. (LoAR Aug 88, p. 12)
As the suffix is documented as a Latin form (and not as a Germanic one), it must normally be combined with Latin elements and not Frankish or Gothic prothemes. (LoAR Aug 88, p. 20)
As the given name was English, we felt that it was proper to use the Old English form of the patronymic [Beornsson] which is closer in sound to the form submitted [Bjornsson]. [The Norse form is Bjarnarson] (LoAR 30 Oct 88, p. 3)
A French given name cannot simply be merged with an Old English or Welsh suffix without further ado. Even the merging of Old Norse with Old English, which would be culturally, if not necessarily linguistically more persuasive, cannot be supported. (LoAR 30 Oct 88, p. 15)
The documentation indicated that the given name was compounded from a Hindu adjective ... and [a] Spanish noun.... Society usage does not permit such cross-linguistic amalgams (unless there is specific documentation to support the form) and in this case it is particularly unlikely given the naming practises of the two linguistic groups. (LoAR 30 Oct 88, p. 16)
The use of the French "de" with English place names has been well documented in the past. (LoAR 26 Mar 89, p. 12)
The epithet flatly contravenes the long-standing Laurel precedent that two languages may not be combined in the same word unless there is period evidence for this occurring for the particular languages and elements concerned.... For years the College has regularly modified or returned names which unite ore than one language in a single word or phrase ("Guillaumesdottir", "de Firenze", etc.), even where these are "linguistically compatible", i.e., all from Romance languages or Celtic languages, etc. Exceptions such as the use of the French "de" with English place names have only been allowed after significant evidence has bee produced for such usage in period. (LoAR 26 Mar 89, p. 18)
This was submitted as [Name] the [Occupation] of [Place], a formation which smacked too much of a title to the College. The simplest situation seemed to be to switch the epithets: this would be extremely common in medieval Latin where an occupational epithet frequently follows a personal name and epithet of origin and seems appropriate for a lingua franca translation of a scholar’s name. (LoAR 25 Jan 87, p. 6) (See also: LoAR 29 Mar 87, p. 1; LoAR Jul 88, p. 10)
As Tir Connell was the seat of the chief sept of the O’Donnells, it may not be used with the name O’Donnell just as Argyll may not be used with Campbell. (LoAR 25 Jan 87, p. 10)
The translation for [the byname] Banu ("Lady") implies that it might be a title, which would not be permissible in a registered name; documentation must be provided that this is not the case. (LoAR 25 Jan 87, p. 26)
[Merlin Strongbow the Incomparable] We found we could accept Merlin Strongbow, but felt that Merlin the Incomparable, no matter how it was otherwise modified, was "too much". (LoAR 29 Mar 87, p. 5)
"Cwen" is the standard Anglo-Saxon title for Queen approved for use in the Society and was actually used in Old English in the specific sense of the ruler’s wife (and in at least one case in the sense of a queen regnant). Therefore, I must reaffirm the ban on the use of "cwen" as an element in Society names. (LoAR 29 Mar 87, p. 13-14)
This is, unfortunately, a case where context makes this name unacceptable. Thora is a perfectly good Norse theophoric name and has been registered in the past. The submittor also provided maps showing that Asgardur is, on modern maps at least, a location in Iceland.... However, to almost everyone in the Society Asgard (Old Norse Asgardr) means but one thing: the home of the gods in the Scandinavian pantheon. This is just not an acceptable "home town" for someone in the Society. That this place name is combined with a name which differs by only one letter from that of one of the most prominent of the Aesir only makes the twitches produced by the name more pronounced. (LoAR 29 Mar 87, p. 22)
[Parish of Santz Martz] In such a situation, where a place name could only occur in a narrowly defined geographic area, although the location may not be in itself famous, there may exist a presupposition of infringement. (LoAR 26 Apr 87, p. 12) [Returned for conflict with Parish of Saint Martz, Lichtenstein]
By modifying the place name the claim to descent from the historical [Name] is diminished to the point of invisibility and removes the possibility of claim of membership in the already existing houshold of [Name]. (LoAR 26 Jul 87, p. 4)
The submittor stated that "Dryw" was a Welsh given name meaning "sight". Not only could this not be documented, but the word is the "Welsh" title for a druid as well as a Welsh term for wren (the two meanings are related). If the gentle wishes, he can use the documented period English form "Drew" from Old German "Drogo". (LoAR 26 Jul 87, p. 11)
The name was submitted as William [Surname] of Holland. Given William the Silent and William I, first King of the modern Netherlands the locative seemed unfortunate. (LoAR Aug 87, p. 5)
Caer Aranrhod ("Castle of Aranrhod", the Welsh moon goddess) is the usual name for the Corona Borealis. Neither the abode of a goddess nor a constellation are usual places for a human to come from and these are the interpretations which the average Society member would put on the place of origin, not the obscure reef whose name is derived from the older legendary locations. (LoAR Aug 87, p. 10)
[ferch Ollam] "Ollam" is a rank of bard and is not appropriate for a patronymic in the Society. The submittor’s own documentation defines the word to mean "a learned man of the highest rank" so that the use of the patronymic may be interpreted as a claim to rank and therefore fall afoul of NR13. (LoAR Aug 87, p. 12)
O Corrain and Maguire (Gaelic Personal Names, p. 162) ... notes two usages of the given name, both apparently for non-humans.... Evidence for the name’s use by humans is required. (LoAR Aug 87, p. 13)
Arianrhod was the Welsh moon goddess and, failing evidence for human use of the name in period, may not be used in the Society. (LoAR Aug 87, p. 13) (See also: LoAR 31 Mar 90, p. 6)
The use of the name Campbell of Argyll in modern mundane usage is tantamount to a claim of kinship with the chief and it will be so taken by the bulk of members of the Society, causing offense to some. (LoAR Aug 87, pp. 15-16)
The name Idunn may not be used with apples any more than Rhiannon may be used with horses. (LoAR 27 Sep 87, p. 11)
[Gwenhyfar le Wita] The most serious problem with the name, however, is the implications which come from linking the name Gwenevere with a term like "wita" which could so easily be associated with Arthur’s queen. Although the name [Gwenevere] was used by other ladies in period and is licit for Society use, the contexts in which it is used must be carefully examined in order to avoid offense. [Guinevere the White is presumptuous] (LoAR 28 Nov 87, p. 11)
The byname "Tsepesh", which means "Impaler" and is associated with Vlad the Impaler, prototype for the Dracula legend, is offensive in itself, offensive in its association with Vlad/Dracula and should not be registered. (LoAR 19 Dec 87, p. 14)
[(Name) la Libra] You cannot claim to be an astrological sign, which is what this name does. (LoAR 19 Dec 87, p. 18)
[Llew ap Nuada] The given name Llew has previously been ruled to be ineligible for use in the Society since it is the name of a Welsh demi-god. Although Nuadha has been used as the name of several ecclesiastics in period, it is best known as the name of the ancient Irish lord of the Otherworld, who appears in the early genealogies of many Irish noble families (much as Mars appeared in the genealogies of the Romans). Used in conjunction with the name of a Welsh demi-god with stars and a silver sword in the device, this is clearly not acceptable (one of the primary attributes of Nuadha Silverhand was a magical sword of great power). (LoAR 21 Feb 88, p. 12)
[Rioghbhardan (a documented given which means "royal bard"), and on the device a rainbow and a harp] The harp is problematic when taken with the given name. At least one herald also found the rainbow to contain an allusion to senior bardic circles, since only the most senior bards were allowed to wear seven colours (such as are contained in the natural rainbow). [Name registered, device returned] (LoAR 19 Mar 88, p. 15)
[von Nordlichten] You cannot be "from the Northern Lights", as this would imply more than human status. (LoAR 23 Apr 88, p. 20)
The addition of the geographical modifier [of (placename)] which is not at all associated with [Surname] territory in addition to the use of the given name which does not appear in any [Surname] genealogy which we could find would seem to carry the name clear. [Name registered] (LoAR Jul 88, p. 10)
[(Given) Grailseeker] The name cause significant twitches, but seem permissible in light of the absence of any (Given) in the context of the Arthurian Grail quest. (LoAR Aug 88, p. 9)
[de Borgia] The use of the surname Borgia [is] "presumptuous". (LoAR Aug 88, p. 16)
[Malcolm the Scot] This name [does] in fact conflict with several kings of Scotland, most notably with the son of King Duncan mentioned on the letter of intent: it is this Malcolm who was proclaimed king after the death of MacBeth. (LoAR Aug 88, p. 17)
When dealing with patron saints as famous as Patrick, some care must be used to avoid locations which are associated with their careers [as a geographic byname]. (LoAR Aug 88, p. 17)
It is important to consider why we protect the names of famous personages and historical figures in the Society. It is certainly not because they are likely to complain about the infringement, since many are long centuries dead. Rather it is to protect our membership against offense or disturbance which might be caused by someone assuming the persona of an actual historical figure. (LoAR Aug 88, p. 18.)
The traditional position of the College [may be summarized as] "There is a long set of Precedents that say (monarch’s name) of (monarch’s place) or (monarch’s name) the (monarch’s nationality) are too evocative of that monarch." (LoAR Aug 88, p. 19
[De (Place) y Aragon] The use of the place name of Aragon in this formation is essentially tantamount to a claim of descent from the Aragonese royal family and, as such, parallel usages have been returned for presumption before. (LoAR 21 May 89, p. 22)
[Hohenstaufen] The analogy [with Stuart and d’Este] is not close" both of the cited names which have been permitted have been documented in clearly non-dynastic contexts. This cannot be said of the Hohenstaufen name which is closely associated with the German kingship and Holy Roman Empire. To register the [submitted] name we have dropped this dynastic surname. (LoAR 18 Jun 89, p. 5)
[One commenter] refers to a "long-standing ban on names of the form (ruler’s name) of (place ruled). It is our understanding, however, that this ban is effective only down to the level of territorial duchies..." As far as we can determine, no such ban exists. While names implying rule over a sovereign entity are not permitted, importance is not determined sheerly by the rank of the individual in question. (LoAR 26 Nov 89, p. 30)
The standing precedent in the College (stated by Baldwin of Erebor, February, 1985) dictates that the name Corwin may not be used in conjunction with roses of any tincture. (LoAR 26 Nov 89, p. 35)
[Talena of Evenstar] The use of the given name with this particular byname also created severe twitches amongst the Dragonflight devotees in view of the association of the star with the Threads. (LoAR 31 Dec 89, p. 21)
By the submittors’ own documentation, Branstock is the name of a specific mythological item ... being a distinctive feature of [a] distinctive building. The derivation of the name is closely associated with this legend. Clearly, this is a variant of the same northern folk myth which gave rise to the sword in the stone of Arthurian legend. If we would not be willing to register the Shire of Excalibur or the Shire of Valhalla, we cannot register this name. (LoAR 29 Apr 90, p. 17)
[(Name) Baird of Gwynedd] [This] is precisely analogous to one of the examples used for presumption in the rules: "John the Bard of Armagh". This being the case, we have dropped the locative to register the name. (LoAR 17 Jun 90, p. 1)
[MacLear] The symbolism of the seahorse and trident are excessive taken in context with the patronymic since they suggest a claim that the submittor is the son of the Irish god of the sea ("Lir" or "Lear"). (LoAR 17 Jun 90, p. 13)
While there is evidence that the "-ovna" ending is only used with the father’s name (i.e., metronymics of general ancestral names are not commonly used in Russian), the general use of metronymics in the Society in contexts where the mundane world might not use them would seem to justify the extreme nervousness this name induced in many of the members of the College of Arms. (LoAR 24 May 87, p. 11)
Russian names must agree in gender. The feminine first name must have a feminine form of the surname or patronymic to go with it. (LoAR 29 Apr 90, p. 14)
The alternation of "y" and "i" is not random in Spanish and occurs in very rigid circumstances (usually in proper nouns derived from other languages and/or loan words such as "Ysabeau"). (LoAR 24 Jan 88, p. 5) (See also: LoAR 27 Sep 86, p. 8)
It should be noted that the submittor’s evidence does provide some evidence for the occasional use of the locative [Aragon] in simple names (i.e., names not manifesting the paternal/maternal double name), although a majority of these include obviously royal personages.... On the other hand, while the submittor indicates that the single use of the name is clearly associated with royalty (which is not obviously clear) and the double usage [de (placename) y Aragon] she wishes to use is not, the period examples given do not support this distinction.... Of all the "double-barreled" names clearly shown to be in period from the submittor’s sample, all had demonstrable links to the Aragonese royal family. (LoAR 26 Nov 89, pp. 20-21) (See also: LoAR 28 May 90, p. 5)
Neither a "y" for an "i" nor a "k" for a "c" substitution occurs in French. (LoAR 27 Sep 87, p. 12)
The alternation of "y" and "i" is not random in Spanish and occurs in very rigid circumstances (usually in proper nouns derived from other languages and/or loan words such as "Ysabeau"). (LoAR 24 Jan 88, p. 5)
Since the submittor indicated that the name should be Old Norse, I have modified the patronymic [(Name)datter] to the proper Old Norse form [(Name)dottir]. (LoAR 27 Sep 86, p. 2)
The name was submitted as Draco of Nolava. [It was] acutely pointed out that this "made-up" place name is merely Avalon spelled backwards. By itself this would be dicey since Avalon has been held before to be out of the human bourne, but in conjunction with the name Draco it is "right out". (LoAR 27 Sep 86, p. 7)
[(Name) of Gilnockie] Gilnockie is one of the strongholds of the Armstrongs. This is the sort of allusion to one’s mundane heritage that is perfectly licit and should be encouraged (the gentle’s mundane family name is Armstrong). (LoAR 28 Dec 86, p. 5)
By the documentation provided in the letter of intent "[Name]" is itself a patronymic derived family name and so it is inappropriate to precede it by the patronymic particle. (LoAR 28 Dec 86, p. 10)
The family name was submitted as [Name]sson. However, [Name] is an English mispronunciation of the Welsh family name [Name] and thus is inappropriate for use in such a patronymic. (LoAR 28 Dec 86, p. 10)
Family names derived from animals were extremely common in period Germany. (LoAR 28 Dec 86, p. 11)
The use of the name Campbell of Argyll in modern mundane usage is tantamount to a claim of kinship with the chief and it will be so taken by the bulk of members of the Society, causing offense to some. (LoAR Aug 87, pp. 15-16)
By the submittor’s own documentation, [Name] is a family name derived from a place name and therefore is not eligible for use as a given name in the Society without evidence that it was so used in period. (LoAR 21 Feb 88, p. 11)
The documentation is unclear as to the period in which the family name of origin ... came into use as a given name.... We would like to give the submittor the "benefit of the doubt"..., but this is difficult when there is solid evidence for its use as a surname and none for its use as a given name in period (cf. NR10). (LoAR 19 Mar 88, p. 18)
One touchstone for the uniqueness of a byname is whether it is used by itself, in period or in modern histories, to refer to the individual it describes (e.g., in medieval and modern literature Richard I of England is sometimes called simply "the Lionheart"). (LoAR 28 Dec 86, p. 10)
By the submittor’s own documentation the given name was that of one of the sons of Genghis Khan. Such names, e.g. Genghis, Temujin, etc., have in the past been returned as unique names failing documentation to demonstrate their more general use in Mongolian society. No such documentation has been provided. (LoAR 24 May 87, p. 12)
"Kveld-Ulfr" may well be a unique name like "Skalla-Grimr": the adjective "kveld" was added to the given name "Ulfr" for the grandfather of Egil Skallagrimsson, a famous berserker. He was apparently given the name because he only came alive in the evenings and possibly because he was considered by some to be a werewolf in actuality. (LoAR 30 Oct 88, p. 13)
[Grimsson] The name was submitted as [Name] Skallagrimsson. As Skallagrim has previously been ruled to be a unique designation for Grimr Kveldulfsson, we have dropped the adjective epithet to make the patronymic more generic in order to register [it]. (LoAR 15 Jan 89, p. 7)
The name "Prydwen" is only documented in period as the name of Arthur’s boat. While the analysis of name elements provided ... opens several possibilities for similar names, it was our feeling that the name is so closely associated with this special vessel that it is inappropriate for use in the Society, failing some solid documentation for period use as a given name. (LoAR 27 Aug 89, p. 13)
While there can be (and has been) some debate as to whether the name "Olwen" is the unique perquisite of the lady with the unusual powers in Welsh myth, certainly the conjunction of the trefoils with the name is excessive, given the origin of the name itself in her stated power of "perfloration". (The Laurel staff really liked that terminology for the ability to have clovers spring from your footprints!) (LoAR 27 Aug 89, p. 26)
The name "Uthyr" or "Uther" appears to be unique to the Pendragon. (LoAR 21 Jan 90, p. 18)
As noted previously, the name "Arianrhod" appears to have been uniquely used in period for the Welsh moon goddess.
By the submittor’s own documentation, Branstock is the name of a specific mythological item ... being a distinctive feature of [a] distinctive building. The derivation of the name is closely associated with this legend. Clearly, this is a variant of the same northern folk myth which gave rise to the sword in the stone of Arthurian legend. If we would not be willing to register the Shire of Excalibur or the Shire of Valhalla, we cannot register this name. (LoAR 29 Apr 90, p. 17)
The concept of the use name is a valuable one, but one which it is sometimes difficult to apply. Many who would like to discard the idea of use names would be horrified if we registered Richard Jones Plantagenet or Finn Peterson MacCool. (LoAR 27 Nov 88, p. 2)
As it is usual practice in period (and modern) Welsh to omit the article used in English before a modifying adjective, we have dropped the article. After some research we came to the conclusion that, although it is rather more common for adjectives after a masculine personal name to mutate, it is possible for the name to retain the "radical" form. The primary criteria for this decision seem to be euphony and clarity of the identity of the original adjective. In this case, both would seem to dictate that the original "[adjective]" be retained. (LoAR 28 Feb 87, p. 1)
The name Gwyneth was almost certainly a late derivation from the geographic name Gwynedd and was not a given name in period. I have to agree that Gwynedd, which is the usual spelling for the place, should not be allowed in the Society as a given name. However, the name Gwyneth seems to have acquired a separate existence in the Society and has been registered at least twenty times (as Gwyneth or Gwynaeth) including more than one occurrence within the last year. I have to conclude that Gwyneth should belong to that select group of non-period names like Corwin or Fiona that the Society at large has elected as being "compatible". (LoAR 28 Feb 87, p. 2)
"Merch" regularly mutates [to "ferch"] when used as a feminine patronymic particle. (LoAR 29 Mar 87, p. 2)
The evidence indicates that the usage "given name + kingdom name" is regularly used in Welsh to indicate a member of the ruling family of that kingdom (e.g., Owain Gwynedd). (LoAR 14 Jun 87, p. 6)
The submittor stated that "Dryw" was a Welsh given name meaning "sight". Not only could this not be documented, but the word is the "Welsh" title for a druid as well as a Welsh term for wren (the two meanings are related). If the gentle wishes, he can use the documented period English form "Drew" from Old German "Drogo". (LoAR 26 Jul 87, p. 11)
[ferch Ollam] "Ollam" is a rank of bard and is not appropriate for a patronymic in the Society. The submittor’s own documentation defines the word to mean "a learned man of the highest rank" so that the use of the patronymic may be interpreted as a claim to rank and therefore fall afoul of NR13. (LoAR Aug 87, p. 12)
Arianrhod was the Welsh moon goddess and, failing evidence for human use of the name in period, may not be used in the Society. (LoAR Aug 87, p. 13) (See also: LoAR 31 Mar 90, p. 6)
The name Trevor is a Welsh place name (generally spelled "Trefor" in Welsh) which does not seem to have been used as a given name until the middle of the nineteenth century. (LoAR Aug 87, p. 15)
While NR10a is somewhat ambiguous, the more general requirement of a primary language in NR3 also applies and there was prior precedent for applying the naming practises of the primary language to a made-up name. As the name was stated to be constructed according to Welsh practise, it had to be judged in those terms. [The principal herald] noted in the submission that medieval Welsh did not form dithematic names. If this is interpreted ... to mean that it does not form "mix and match" names as did Old English, for instance, this is correct.... We do feel that constructs in Welsh must be approached with a greater degree of care, not merely because of the requirements of mutation, but also because the dithematic constructs which are documented in period appear to have recoverable meaning: a name like "war peace", which is perfectly acceptable in the Germanic tradition, would apparently not have occurred.... We have been persuaded by additional evidence that the summarized evidence originally presented led us to conclude erroneously that the component portions of the names were not separable name elements in period Welsh. If the components appear in multiple Welsh names, then the name becomes considerably more plausible. We ... conclude that the new evidence has nudged it this side of "compatibility". (LoAR Jun 88, p. 13)
[Lloyd] The given name has now been documented as a given name in period from Morgan and Morgan (pp. 151-154). (LoAR Jul 88, p. 12)
The name Gwydion may be used in the Society so long as there is no other reference to the Gwydion of Welsh legend. (LoAR 26 Feb 89, p. 8)
While there can be (and has been) some debate as to whether the name "Olwen" is the unique perquisite of the lady with the unusual powers in Welsh myth, certainly the conjunction of the trefoils with the name is excessive, given the origin of the name itself in her stated power of "perfloration". (The Laurel staff really liked that terminology for the ability to have clovers spring from your footprints!) (LoAR 27 Aug 89, p. 26)
[A commenter] has documented ... the less usual but permissible usage of unmutated "merch" in a name. (LoAR 31 Dec 89, p. 12)
The "bordure thistly" (on the analogy of the bordure flory) would seem to be an introduction that we are not quite ready to make and certainly not on a badge. (LoAR 26 Oct 86, pp. 11-12)
We have been unable to find any period precedent for such a multiply tinctured chequy [of three tinctures]. If such could be found, we would entertain an appeal; otherwise, we feel that this is an innovation that we would rather not make in Society heraldry. (LoAR 28 Feb 87, p. 17)
Introduction and Index to Precedents of Alisoun MacCoul of Elphane