An interesting topic for discussion on Father’s Day is ‘the origin of our family name.’ Fathers will really appreciate a copy of the meaning of their surname, along with a picture of their family Coat of Arms, and if possible, their family motto.
If we cannot locate our father’s Coat of Arms, we create one ourselves. We think about our family values (e.g. justice is a scale), and interests like music, reading, animals, etc. and we include these symbols along with leaves and helmets and meaningful colours, for example gold represents generosity. We write our family name at the top followed by our family motto, which we may have to create ourselves. ‘Work hard, play hard, and help another every day,’ ‘Travel beyond the horizon,’ ‘Untied rearranged – United!’
When communities were still small, people were called simple names like Fox, Wildgoose, Smalldove, etc. What do we think our father’s name might have been if he had lived back during those times? Toogood perhaps?
When standardized spelling arrived in later centuries, names became more creative, reflecting landscapes and trades, among many other identifiable themes. Smalldove might instead now be known as Mary of the Wood, and Toogood – John the Butcher. As villages and towns grew and more than one John appeared, they had to find ways of differentiating the two. This gave rise to names like John, son of Robert, which eventually evolved to John Robertson and so on.
It is so much fun tracing the origin of our family names: information which adds a fascinating layer to our family history, after all, our ancestors – who faced famines, plagues, perilous journeys, and conflicts, with courage and honour – continue to flourish and glorify life inside all of us, every single day.
This Father’s Day, our fathers will love and cherish the story of their names, which will be a priceless, well-appreciated, everlasting keepsake.
Signed: Lesley of the Newmarket
