1 Abel Seman (m) - New Name forwarded & New Device returned

Azure, a triton argent.

No major changes. If his name must be changed, he cares most about the sound. Abel: A Dictionary of English Surnames, Revised Edition by P.H. Reaney & R.M. Wilson under Abel (p.1) dates Abel de Etton' to 1220. Seman: ibid (p.397) under Seaman dates Rufus, Richard Seman to 1182-1211.

Additional documentation: Withycombe dates Abel under that heading (p. 1) to 1205-6 and 1273.

Unfortunately, the die roll came up a 3, so this device probably has several conflicts and must be returned.

2 Argentina Silver (f) - New Name forwarded

No major changes. She requests authenticity for early 13c. English, and cares most about an unspecified meaning. A Dictionary of English Surnames, Revised Edition by P.H. Reaney & R.M. Wilson p. 13 s.n. Argentine dates Argentina to 1196. This is apparently a Latinized version of Argentin, a diminutive of Old French argent 'silver', used as a personal name. Ibid p. 409 s.n. Silver dates Lucas, John Siluer to 1205-1213, as well as Robert Silverhewer 1212.

Shiny.

3 China filia Man (f) - New Name forwarded & New Device forwarded

Gules, a jug in the shape of a human face argent estencely azure.

She requests authenticity for 11th century Hungarian language/culture. 'China' is listed as the name of a female servant in 1231 in Fehértói Katalin: Árpád-kori személynévtár, s.n. China, p. 198. 'Man' is dated to 1214 and 1222 as a masculine given name, and to 1267-1269 as a patronymic (ibid s.n. Man, p. 509). She prefers not to have "filia" in her name, but will accept it if it will make the name more authentic.

RfS II.3.b. says in part "Although China, Random and Starhawk have been used as given names in recent fantasy literature, they may not be registered without evidence that names of countries, adjectives, or epithets were regularly used as English given names in period." This name is not English, so the rule should not apply. However, a thorough search of Fehértói reveals no women with unmarked patronymic bynames, so the word "filia" has been added to her name in order to fulfill her request for authenticity.

4 Elephant Tusk (m) - New Name forwarded

Elephant is from Fehértói Katalin, Árpád-kori személynévtár, s.n. Elephanth, dated to 1293/1322 and 1298 in the desired spelling. Tusk is in same s.n. Tusk: Martini Comitis filijs Tusk 1256, Mortunus et altera Martini fily Tusk 1256/1357, Martinum Comitem filium Tusk 1257. He prefers the unmarked patronymic, but will accept "Elephant filius Tusk" if needed for registration.

While the Latin "filius" would undoubtedly make the name easier on English heralds, it should be registerable as is: asyndetic patronymics are quite ubiquitous in Hungarian-language records. I vacillated back and forth about changing the order of the names in order to preserve the meaing "Elephant, son of Tusk", since the name as submitted actually comes out as "Tusk, son of Elephant" in Hungarian, but absent any indication of the submitter's intentions, I have decided it's safer to leave his name alone.

5 Emm See (f) - New Name forwarded

If her name must be changed, she cares most about the sound. A Dictionary of English Surnames, Revised Edition by P.H. Reaney & R.M. Wilson p155 under Emm dates Emm in the Hurn to 1327, and says this was the English form of the popular Norman name Emma. Ibid p. 396 under Sea dates Bertram del See to 1312, Philip atte See 1327, John othe See 1382.

Withycombe says this name "was common from the 11th C onwards. The English form was Em(m)". Sound is most important, so I haven't interjected any preposition, although the documentation indicates that one may be called for.

6 Flint Stone (m) - New Name returned

If his name must be changed, he cares most about an unspecified meaning. A Dictionary of English Surnames, Revised Edition by P.H. Reaney & R.M. Wilson on p. 172 under Flint dates the header spelling to 1066 DB as a given name. Stone is from same, p. 429, where Robert Ston is dated to 1212 and Robert atte Stone to 1296.

This name is returned for excessive modernity. There's actually a precedent on this topic, but other than remembering that it involves the phrase "scruff of the neck", I don't know the details, and I seem to have momentarily lost the technical savvy needed to go look them up.

7 Fray Checker (m) - New Name forwarded & New Device forwarded

Per fess raguly, checky Or and azure, and sable.

A Dictionary of English Surnames, Revised Edition by P.H. Reaney & R.M. Wilson p.177 under Fray dates Fray de Cudington' 1230, and says it's an Old French personal name of unknown origin. Ibid p92 under Checker dates Roger de la Checker 1279 and Roger Cheker 1508, and says "as a surname, it probably meant, as a rule, a clerk in the exchequer".

This name seems to be holding itself together pretty darn well.

8 Hay Yoo (m) - New Name forwarded & New Device forwarded

Azure, in pale three garbs in pile inverted Or and a sheep statant argent.

No major changes. If his name must be changed, he cares most about the sound. 'Hay': A Dictionary of English Surnames, Revised Edition by P.H. Reaney & R.M. Wilson p.222 under Hay dates Willelmus filius Hai to 1168 and Ricardus filius Haye to 1205. Based on these, 'Hay' is a reasonable period spelling. 'Yoo': Ibid p.507 under Yea dates Nicholas Yoo to 1439.

Who, me? Oh. Ok.

9 Hay Yoo (m) - New Alternate Name forwarded & New Badge returned
Submitted Name: Hay Ricke

(Fieldless) A garb Or.

His primary name is submitted elsewhere in this letter. A Dictionary of English Surnames, Revised Edition by P.H. Reaney & R.M. Wilson p.222 under Hay dates Willelmus filius Hai to 1168 and Ricardus filius Haye to 1205. Based on these, Hay is a reasonable spelling variant. A Dictionary of English Surnames, Revised Edition by P.H. Reaney & R.M. Wilson p.377 under Rick dates Ema Ricke to 1327.

Not only did the die roll come up as a 6, indicating at least a couple of likely conflicts, but I also seem to recall someone I know submitting a similar device recently, so this is returned.

10 Hoppeschort Skip (m) - New Name

A Dictionary of English Surnames, Revised Edition by P.H. Reaney & R.M. Wilson p.238 under Hopshort dates Hoppeschort to 1169 and Alured filius Hoppesort to 1189. Ibid p.412 under Skipp dates John Skip to 1282.

I'm skipping him.

11 Hurry Quick (m) - New Name forwarded

He requests authenticity for 13c. Norman language/culture, and cares most about language/culture. A Dictionary of English Surnames, Revised Edition by P.H. Reaney & R.M. Wilson p.245 s.n. Hurry dates Hurri c1250 as a given name, and Hurry 1219 as a patronymic surname, and say it's based on the Norman pronunciation of Old English Wulfric. Ibid p.368 s.n. Quick dates Robert Quic 1279 and William Quik 1282. While the 'ck' spelling isn't documented in this entry, it is found in period in other names. See for example p. 43 s.n. Bickley: de Bickele 1310; p. 133 s.n. Dick: Dicke Smith 1220; or p. 230 s.n. Hick: Richard Hick' 1302, William Hickys 1332.

I'm going as fast as I can!

12 Ketel Black (m) - New Name forwarded & New Device returned

Argent, a cooking pot sable.

No changes. A Dictionary of English Surnames, Revised Edition by P.H. Reaney & R.M. Wilson under Kettle p. 264 dates Ketel to 1066 and Ketel filius Eutret to 1212 (among others), and derives it from Old Norse Ketill 'sacrificial cauldron' (which was used as a given name; The Old Norse Name by Geirr Bassi Haraldsson p. 12 cites 44 occurences in Landnámabók). R&W under Black p. 46 dates Willelmus Blac, Niger to 1086, Thomas Blac to 1198 and Edricke le Blacke to 1275. The submitted spelling seems a reasonable variant based on these.

Unfortunately, the die roll came up as 8, so this device is returned for likely conflict. On resubmission, the submitter may want to blazon this charge as a "cauldron", to avoid automatic assumptions about his perceptiveness or lack thereof.

13 Livid Shade (f) - New Name forwarded

She requests authenticity for 14c. English language/culture. A Dictionary of English Surnames, Revised Edition by P.H. Reaney & R.M. Wilson p278 under Levet dates Livid as a feminine given name to the 14th century, derived from the Old English name Leofgyð. Ibid p402 under Shade dates Ralph Shade to 1296. It's derived from the Middle English for 'shadow', and perhaps indicates a very thin person.

I just noticed that the back of the submission form includes documentation for the additional surname of Grene, in case it's needed to avoid conflict: R&W p. 204 s.n. Green dates Geoffrey de Grene 1188, Richard de la Grene 1200, Geoffrey Attegrene 1206, Walter ad Grenam 1210, William del grene 1221, Alexander, William Grene 1230, c. 1248, John en le grene, Robert Othergrene, Henry on the grene 1274-99, and John super le Grene 1327.

14 Maggot Grubb (f) - New Name returned

A Dictionary of English Surnames, Revised Edition by P.H. Reaney & R.M. Wilson p293 sn Maggot (a diminutive of Margaret): Maggot de Worth 1286; Magot Lomb 1296. Ibid p208 sn Grubb (used of a short, dwarfish individual): Richard, John Grubbe 1176 and 1203.

Although the parts are undoubtedly period, I feel the combination is excessively offensive and I want nothing more to do with this name. It is therefore returned.

15 Main Chance (m) - New Name forwarded

Main is found in A Dictionary of English Surnames, Revised Edition by P.H. Reaney & R.M. Wilson under Mayne p. 304, dated to 1135 as a given name. It is derived from the Old German Maino, Meino, meaning 'strength'. Chance is found on p. 90 of same, where Robert, Ralph Chance is dated to 1209 and 1310. The sense is the same as the modern word's; as a byname, it is "perhaps used of a gambler".

I'm surprised the submitter didn't try for a device at the same time, but I guess he's playing it safe.

16 Mathe Freke (m) - New Name forwarded

No major changes. Mathe: A Dictionary of English Surnames, Revised Edition by P.H. Reaney & R.M. Wilson sn Mathes p309: Mathe 1195. Math and Mathi are pet forms of Matthew. Freke: p177 of same sn Freak: Ralph Freke 1210-11, derived from OE freca 'man, warrior'.

The ILoI credited Stephen Hawking as the sole herald of record, but a closer look at the submission form reveals that [FIXME: insert name of the guy who plays Mr. Universe in Serenity, or the name of his character on Numbers] also contributed some of the research.

17 Montana Sky (f) - New Name returned & New Device returned

Argent, a trimount vert and a chief azure.

Montana is found (without a specific date) in Les Noms de Personne Sur Le Territoire de L'Ancienne Gaule du VIe au XIIe Siècle by Marie-Thérèse Morlet vol. II p. 80; it was apparently originally a Roman cognomen, and is found in both Roman and Christian inscriptions. The text mentions four saints named Montan (one of them dated to the 4th c.), and a 6th century abbess (also a saint) named Montaine. Sky: Place-Names of Scotland by James B Johnston p296 under Skye dates Scy 1266 and Scey 1292. Based on the interchangeability of 'c' and 'k' in English, the submitter believes the spelling 'Sky' is plausible. There is a possible step from period practice for temporal disparity, but the submitter writes that the name should be registerable, as English and French can be combined without a weirdness.

While English and French can be combined without a weirdness, I'm not sure Gaulish and Scots can be, adding at least another step from period practice (if not outright dissallowing the combination). This name must therefore be returned.

Without a valid name to attach it to, this device must be returned as well. The die roll came up as 7, so it probably conflicts anyway.

18 Saxe of Wool (m) - New Name & New Device forwarded

Gules, three wool-packs argent.

Saxe is dated to 1190 and 1283 on p. 394 of R&W p394 under the heading Sax. It's derived from an Old Norse name. Wool is a placename in Dorset. According to Watts p697, it was spelled Woll(e) from 1249-1663 and Wool from 1575.

The closest Ekwall gets to the submitted surname spelling is Wollecumb 1242 (p. 532 s.n. Woolacombe) and Wolbeding 1191 (same page s.n. Woolbeding), but this name makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, so I'm forwarding it.

With a die roll of 17, this device had the most cushion against conflict.

19 Science Geek (f) - New Name forwarded & New Device forwarded

Per fess azure and Or, a flask per fess engrailed argent and vert.

No changes. Science: A Dictionary of English Surnames, Revised Edition by P.H. Reaney & R.M. Wilson p.395 s.n. Science has the Latinized form Sciencia dated to 1260 and 1332. It also says 'It appears in ME as Cynthia, Scientia, Science.' Geek: A Dictionary of English Surnames, Revised Edition by P.H. Reaney & R.M. Wilson p. 187 s.n. Geake has Walter Geek 1275.

Heraldry is more an art than a science, so it's perhaps not the submitter's fault that she missed some possible avenues of research: Withycombe p. 77 s.n. Cynthia says "English writers in the later Middle Ages, struggling to spell Sanchia (q.v.), sometimes turned it into Cynthia, but the name was not really used until the Renaissance." On p. 263 s.n. Sanchia, she elaborates: "from Latin sanctus 'holy'. Introduced into England by the marriage in 1243 of Richard, Earl of Cornwall, to Sanchia, daughter of the Count of Provence. Her name evidently puzzled English scribes, who write it in a variety of ways, including Cynthia, Scientia, and Science. The name occurs during the next four centuries, variously spelt Sens, Sence, Sense, Saints, Science, Sanche." Makes sense to me.

20 Scoule atte Children (m) - New Name forwarded & New Device returned

Or, two roundels and a crescent pendant, a chief triangular sable.

All docs from A Dictionary of English Surnames, Revised Edition by P.H. Reaney & R.M. Wilson. Scoule: s.n. School (p395) there's Scule 1066, Robert filius Scule 1196, and Richard Scoule 1297; they're derived from the Old Norse name Skúli. Children: s.n. Children (p95) there's John atte Children 1267, which is a local byname based on residence near an orphanage.

With three different types of charge directly on the field, this device is not X.2. simple, making conflicts likely. Besides, the die roll came up a measly 6, so this is returned.

21 Thomas Thumb (m) - New Name forwarded

If his name must be changed, he cares most about the meaning 'Thomas the Obtuse'. He requests authenticity for 13th century Hungarian culture (the 'language/' part is crossed out on his form). Fehértói Katalin, Árpád-kori személynévtár s.n. Tomas has Thomas dated in this spelling multiple times, for example religiosi viri frater Thomas abbas 1288 (p. 761-762). Thumb appears in Fehértói under that heading on page 752, dated 1288: Nicolaus dictus Thumb. Régi Magyar családnevek szótára. XIV-XVII. század by Kázmér Miklós s.n. Tompa has Nicolaus Tumpa 1342, documenting the use of this byname without the 'dictus'. Országh et al: Magyar Angol Nagyszótár. Hungarian-English Dictionary (Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, 1998, ISBN 963 05 7515 9) p. 1434 s.n. tompa translates this word as 'blunt, obtuse', 'dull, obtuse', and 'soft, mellow, muted'.

An authentic 13th c. Hungarian name is difficult to document, as the language of record was different from the vernacular (Latin vs. Hungarian). A discussion would apparently go right over the submitter's head, however, so I'm saving it for OSCAR commentary.

22 Tomb Ghost (m) - New Name forwarded

If his name must be changed, he cares most about the sound. 'Ghost': this is submitted as the presumed vernacular form of a name recorded as Ghostus (following the pattern of names such as Tibold/Tiboldus, Tomp/Tompus, Bot/Botus, Mot/Motus, etc.) in a Latin-language document dated 1237/1320 (i.e. originally written in 1237 but only surviving in a copy made in 1320). Source: Fehértói Katalin, Árpád-kori személynévtár, s.n. Ghostus, pp. 335-336. 'Tomb' - ibid s.n. Tomb (p. 762) has Nic. f. Tomb 1301/1373. Régi Magyar családnevek szótára. XIV-XVII. század by Kázmér Miklós s.n. Tombos (p. 1073) has Tumbos Gorgen 1392, and derives the surname from a diminutive in -s of the old personal name 'Tomb'. This documents this name as being used in the vernacular (Hungarian) construction unmarked patronymic + given name.

I can't quite see the appeal of this name combination, but the idea of returning it gives me the shivers.