| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Bill Bisco |
Posted - 05 Jul 2015 : 21:35:22
1. Is there any evidence that Elven wives will take on the surname of their husbands as humans do?
2. Who determines the surname of the child? The mother or the father?
Thanks,
Bill |
| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Barastir |
Posted - 27 Jul 2015 : 13:03:33
I remember asking this naming question to Mrs. Elaine Cunningham some years ago, for I wanted to know if an elf who had chosen one surname, inheriting the moonblade named after the other side of his or her family would change his/her name. Unfortunately, I could not find the reference, but it is somewhere in the Chamber of Sages. |
| Xnella Moonblade-Thann |
Posted - 26 Jul 2015 : 22:38:14
Some elves/elven offspring choose their own surnames, since they cannot claim one from their family either because they don't know their family or have no legitimate claim to do so. |
| TBeholder |
Posted - 15 Jul 2015 : 09:42:14
I can't give an authoritative answer, and it probably doesn't exist, and there are a few sources, but in obscure matters, we may just as well apply general principles.
See what various characters would do. A typical character who isn't schizophrenic or outcast acts consistently and exists in some sort of equilibrium, so what a bunch of them would do, is more or less what they are probably used to do as a society.
Elves value the sense of community and care about "legal" claims, but don't care for genealogy as such (beyond personal connection to their clans and history). So a typical elves will consider first where they belong, second what belongs to them (that is needs, territory, status or connection - "political" matters, not baubles), if this doesn't help, fall back to artistic statements, and not much else. |
| Bill Bisco |
Posted - 07 Jul 2015 : 00:19:16
Thank you all for your replies. I take it as the child's last name could go to either the mother or the father depending on who was more prestigious and that elves also adopt family names sometimes based on who they're with. And that elves are.....well elves.
Thanks a bunch. I shall use this information. |
| TBeholder |
Posted - 06 Jul 2015 : 16:23:55
quote:
Originally posted by Bill Bisco
1. Is there any evidence that Elven wives will take on the surname of their husbands as humans do?
In context of noble houses, definitely. Elminster in Myth Drannor, for one.
Let's start with the context: elves seem to have everything on the scale - one-night stands, long-term affairs, nuclear family, extended family - equally common and recognized (matter-of-factly); so when we're talking about a "marriage", this means a religious ceremony and probably community celebration, after there was
A) explicit commitment after long consideration (typical for elves in general), and/or
B) decision about it as a matter of political/legal convenience (typical for nobles in general).
quote:
2. Who determines the surname of the child? The mother or the father?
If they don't live together at the time, child will normally live with the mother, so the name is her. If they do...
Elves don't live in nuclear families pruned to complete disconnection with their children, they usually live in communinties. And even pretend to be some sort of hivemind. 
Hence, my guess is "name of the clan with which they chose to live".
If they don't live with an established clan nor at least in a house of their ancestors (in which case the name is the claim on it), it's "whatever name they chose for household", and may well be a new one rather than one of these. Depending on the reason why not.
If they eloped or something like that, it would be whichever name attracts less attention.
If they try to colonize a new place or are refugees, could switch toward whichever of them leads the effort, invent new or both retain their own. |
| Hoondatha |
Posted - 06 Jul 2015 : 01:03:51
It hasn't been addressed to the same extent as dwarven names, so there isn't much.
If you're marrying into a noble family (whether you are noble yourself or not), you take the name of the noble family. This is for both men and women. For instance, Amara Audark became Amara Ildacer when she married Aolis Audark. On the other hand, if Aravae Irithyl had lived long enough to marry Josidiah Starym, he would have become Aravae Irithyl.
Who is technically marrying into which family would no doubt be a matter of intense negotiation between the houses, and would in part depend on the status of the two. For example, you'd marry a clan heir, and probably any child of the patriarch/matriarch, but if you're both from a collateral line? Who knows?
As for anyone not a noble, I don't think there's been any mention one way or another. Given the example of the nobles, I would assume commoners would settle on one name, but either partner could take the other's. |
| sfdragon |
Posted - 05 Jul 2015 : 21:50:33
not to my knowledge. |
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