Do Men of Rohan have surnames?

[daddystabz]

One of my players in my new campaign is playing one of the fan-made cultures, a Man of Rohan, and we were just wondering if Men of Rohan typically have surnames (last names) at all. I do not remember an example of one with a surname in the books.

[Elmoth]

Not that I am aware of. In the LOTR movie (non canon, I know) there is a young character called Haleth. he is refered as "Haleth, son of Hama". So I would go for this format for the people of rohan. It is a fairly common surname convention after all: all the surnames ending in -son, -dottir, -s, -ez (in Spanish), and others all mean "son of". these forms could also be in use in Rohan and/or Gondor.

[Arthadan]

The origin of last names is in nicknames. So, if we have Haleth, Son of Háma is quite likely that Haleth is a common name or at least there was another Haleth in the same village.

Some valid examples are Eorl the Young (quite probably second of this name in his line), or Helm Heldenhammer who could kill a Snow Troll with his bare hands.

For an adventure I guess is more fun if he earns his nickname with his deeds and then he begins to use it as a surname as his fame spreads.

[Glorelendil]

For an adventure I guess is more fun if he earns his nickname with his deeds and then he begins to use it as a surname as his fame spreads.

QFT

[Valarian]

The origin of last names is in nicknames. So, if we have Haleth, Son of Háma is quite likely that Haleth is a common name or at least there was another Haleth in the same village.

Patronymics are important in cultures (e.g. Nordic, Russian) as they convey legitimacy. To be able to recite your lineage in a formal introduction was to say that you come from a long and legitimate line. I don't think that the addition of the "son of" would be just a means of identification but a way of speaking formally to a person. The "of no heritage" stain of illegitimacy would be great. By using their father's name, you acknowledge their heritage and honour it.

[Boneguard]

Keeping in mind that Rohan is heavily influenced by Old English/Western Medieval cultural element, I would say NO.

A lot of Western Eureopean culture -including England- in Medieval time did not used surnames, people only had a Given Name and -if several people had the same name- a descriptor or a patronimic (eg The Young, The Bold, or Son of XX).

[Mim]

There are some great posts on here & yes, the Rohirrim did have some additional names/titles. Take a quick look at The Kings of the Mark in Appendix A:

Eorl the Young
Aldor the Old
Helm Hammerhand
Fréaláf Hildeson
Brytta - He was called by his people Léofa, for he was loved by all...
Théoden - Became Ednew, etc.
Éomer Éadig

It sounds as if your player will have a lot of fun with this, & I'd say let him go with it

[Rich H]

... I'm not so sure about nicknames forming surnames.

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If we were all Rohirrim on here then I'd be "Richard Grumpypants".

[Boneguard]

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If we were all Rohirrim on here then I'd be "Richard Grumpypants".

Or Richard Loregiver

[Rich H]

...
If we were all Rohirrim on here then I'd be "Richard Grumpypants".

Or Richard Loregiver

That's very kind, but not a chance! ... There are a great many others on here that name would be far more fitting for! Not going to name any but at least 5 or 6 spring immediately to mind. I don't even get close.

[The cheque's in the post though, Boneguard!]