[antir-heralds] Rules for using a given (legal) name

[Britt]

On Dec 10, 2007 9:53 PM, Kean de Lacy <keandelacy at gmail.com> wrote:
> I'm sorry. The actual answer to your question is that she can use her legal
> name, with proper ID, regardless of other documention, as long as it doesn't
> violate other rules.
>
> It does count as a step from period practice.

Ayup:

The given name Ian is the submitter's legal given name. This is one
step from period practice. Ian is an SCA compatible Scots name.
Ordinarily, we would declare this name two steps from period practice
-- one for using an SCA compatible name and a second for using a
double given name with a Scots given name. However,when a submitter
uses his or her legal given name, the element is generally considered
language-neutral in terms of additional steps from period practice.
Therefore, for this individual, the name is only one step from period
practice. [Ian Michael Hudson, 07/05, A-Caid]


Notice the 'language-neutral' part.  Your client is free to go with
the language of her choice. Though if she does choose a language that
pairs well with her legal name, more power to her for her eye toward
authenticity.


Standards of documentation of a legal name are beautifully outlined in
the November 2003 cover letter, by the way.

There are some requirements governing the use of a legal name, as well.

1. It must be documented. (Bears saying again.) The number one reason
a legal name as part of an SCA name gets the name returned is lack of
documentation.

2. The use of a legal name isn't guaranteed.  Considerations such as
presumption, intrusive modernity, conflict with the submitter's own
personal name, and other things might be a concern.  Kara exists in a
period Norse form and is a spelling variant on a period Italian name,
so this isn't as likely to be an issue here as other names might be,
but it bears saying.

3. It must be used in the SCA name in the same manner it is in the
legal name.  If it's a first name, it may be used as a personal name.
If it's a surname, it must be a surname. Middle names are a snarl all
their own, particularly with modern practices being to use personal
names, surnames, interesting words, etc., kind of willy-nilly as
middle names.  There are lots and lots of precedents on legal middle
names and it bears checking them if your client ever chooses to use a
legal middle name in an SCA name.

4. Submitters are usually given the benefit of the doubt when there is
not documentation proving a name's use. The College of arms really
_does_ want people to have names they like.


(Sometimes I feel as though I'm tag-teaming with Kean...)

- Teceangl