ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 870 http://www.s-gabriel.org/870 *********************************** ************************************************* * * * NOTE: Some of the Academy's early reports * * contain errors that we haven't yet * * corrected. Please use it with caution. * * * ************************************************* 6 Apr 1998 From: (Josh Mittleman) Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel! You asked for help choosing a Scottish name appropriate for the area of Glencoe between 900 and 1100, possibly using the surname . Here is what we have found. You also asked for advice on designing arms. The kingdom of Scotland in your period was Gaelic-speaking, though some people in areas of what we now call Scotland spoke other languages (Old English in the southeast, Norse in the north and isles). Since Glencoe is in the area that spoke Gaelic [1, 6], and since you seem to be interested in a Gaelic name, we'll focus on that language. The name "son of Eanraig" is based on a Gaelic form of the name , which was not a native Gaelic name. was brought to Scotland by Norman settlers in the 12th century; we found these examples of the name in Scottish records [2]: Henricus dapifer, c.1183-88 Henricus, bishop of Aberdeen 1282-1328 Hendyre or Hendry, 1562 Hendrie Ralstoun, 1519 Hendrie Dwn, 1527 The name was adopted into Gaelic as , , or , pronounced \EEN-rik\, \OUN-ree\ (\OUN\ as in ), and \AYN-ree\ respectively [3, 4, 5]; but it could not have been used in Scotland before 1100. The earliest evidence we have of Gaelic patronymics like is in the 14th and 15th centuries [2]. (The slashes in represent accents on the preceding vowels.) In Gaelic culture, men were most often known as their father's sons. For example, if your name were and your father's name were , you would be called "Conn son of Domnall". The additional in is analogous to the <'s> in English . Few written records were written in Gaelic in Scotland, so if your name were written down, it would have been in Latin. The same name in Latin might have been recorded [4]. Before choosing your name, we recommend that you read a couple of articles that are available on the web. The first is a general introduction to Scottish naming in our period: Scottish Names 101 http://www.stanford.edu/~skrossa/medievalscotland/scot_names_101.html The second will give you very specific advice on how to choose your name. Although this article covers a slightly later period than yours, most of the advice and most of the names suggested in it should be appropriate for you. If you'd like to check back with us on the specifics, we'll be happy to help. A Simple Guide to Constructing 12th Century Scottish Gaelic Names http://www.stanford.edu/~skrossa/medievalscotland/simple_sc_gaelic_names_12.html The third article may also be helpful. Quick and Easy Gaelic Bynames http://www.stanford.edu/~skrossa/medievalscotland/quick_gaelic_bynames.html Before discussing specific designs for your arms, I should point out that heraldic arms did not exist in your period. The first heraldry appeared in northern France in the 12th century. But even after that, heraldry was never adopted by most of Scottish Gaelic culture. We've written a short article on the problem of persona from cultures that didn't use heraldry. You may find it useful. What Do I Use for Arms if my Persona Wouldn't Have Used Arms? http://www.itd.umich.edu/~ximenez/s.gabriel/faq/nonheraldic.html Assuming you do want to use arms, your ideas are broad enough to allow for some very simple, elegant designs. You wrote that you want to use green, with charges that make some reference to the sea, to Christianity, or to trees. To symbolize Christianity, you could use a cross or a scallop shell. The scallop shell was the symbol of the great shrine of Santiago di Compostela, a major pilgrimage destination. The shell came to be used as a generic symbol for pilgrims. Here are some ideas that you can consider: Argent, a cross between four trees vert. (A white background with a green straight-armed cross that reaches to all four edges of the field; in each white quarter, a green oak tree.) Or, crusily gules a pine tree vert (A gold background with about a dozen small, red regularly-spaced crosses-croslet, and a large green pine tree at the center.) Or, three escallops vert. (A gold field with three green scallop shells placed two-and-one.) Argent, a cross sable between four escallops vert. As far as we can tell, any of these could be registered with the SCA College of Arms. I hope this letter has been useful. Please write us again if any part of it has been unclear or if you have other questions. I was assisted in researching and writing this letter Talan Gwynek, Margaret Makafee, Teceangl Bach, Daniel de Lincolia, Elisabeth de Rossignol, and Aryanhwy merch Catmael Caermyrdin. For the Academy, Arval Benicoeur - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - References [1] Bethel, John P., ed., _Webster's Geographical Dictionary_ (Springfield, Massachusetts: G. & C. Merriam Co., 1969). [2] Black, George F., _The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning and History_, (New York: The New York Public Library, 1986), s.nn. Machendrie, Henry. [3] O/ Corra/in, Donnchadh and Fidelma Maguire, _Irish Names_ (Dublin: The Lilliput Press, 1990). [4] Woulfe, Patrick, _Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames_ (Kansas City: Irish Genealogical Foundation). [5] Morgan, Peadar, _Ainmean Chloinne: Scottish Gaelic Names for Children_ (Scotland: Taigh na Teud Music Publishers, 1989). [6] Johnston, James R., _Place-Names of Scotland_ (London: John Murray, 1934). - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -