« Reply #5 on: Tuesday 23 January 07 22:06 GMT (UK) »
Surnames were first introduced by the Normans in the 11th century and were divided roughly into four classifications... Locations, taken from places of origin...Occupations, from trade or profession.. Nick names, describing physical and mental character... Patronymic, taking the first name of of the father as the surname of the son... At about the same time, the Crusades began and with so many men gathered in body armour, recognition was very difficult
So the private Armies began using brightly colored symbols on shields and banners... Later these devices were displayed on Coat Armour, a loose coat worn over the armour... To avoid duplication the Knights Heralds began to record the different shield designs and painted them on rolls of parchment called Rolls of Arms.
Thanks for your explanation. I have been wondering about how or why coats of arms came about.
My paternal grandmother has a coat of arms with 3 boars (possibly elephants). Must be from the character classification ... stubborn and bull headed.
yn9man
Scotland - Adam, Galt/Gault, Mellis, Jardine, Turnbull, Robertson, Auchincloss, Murray, Allison/Allason, Mitchell, Cross, Rae, Brown, McHutcheon, Montgomerie, McKenzie, Mackay, McPherson, McInish
England - Saunders/Sanders, Jory/Jorie/Jura, McKey, Williams/ Wyllams, Lance, Ellis, Trounson, Dingle, Charlton, Hambridge, Sweetman/Sweatman, Ricks/Rix/Reeks, Cole, Shearwood/Sherwood, Toy, Brooks, Moore, Donn, Nicolas, Habberfield,
Denmark - Alling/Aalling, Lastein, Lund, Rasmussen