Coat of Arms & Family Crests Store
  Lawhead Coat of Arms / Lawhead Family CrestSURNAMES as we know them today were first assumed in Europe from the 11th to the 15th Century. They were not in use in England or in Scotland before the Norman Conquest, and were first found in the Domesday Book. The employment in the use of a second name was a custom that was first introduced from the Normans. They themselves had not long before adopted them. It became, in course of time, a mark of gentler blood, and it was deemed a disgrace for gentlemen to have but one single name, as the meaner sort had. It was not until the reign of Edward II (1307-1327) it became general practice amongst all people. LAWHEAD was a name that was brought into England by the Scandinavians, probably in the wake of the Norman Conquest of 1066. It was a locational name 'the dweller by the head of the lake or ford', and was originally spelt as LACHHEAD. Early records of the name mention LOHEAD (without surname) documented in Scotland in the year 1158. Eugene filius LOGHEAD, 1296, ibid. Adam LACHHEDE was recorded in 1417, Wales, and Robert LAUGHEAD was documented in the year 1642. It was not until the 10th century that modern hereditary surnames first developed, and the use of fixed names spread, first to France, and then England, then to Germany and all of Europe. In these parts of Europe, the individual man was becoming more important, commerce was increasing and the exact identification of each man was becoming a necessity. Even today however, the Church does not recognise surnames. Baptisms and marriages are performed through use of the Christian name alone. Thus hereditary names as we know them today developed gradually during the 11th to the 15th century in the various European countries. At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function on the battlefield and in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face, and armour encasing the knight from head to foot, the only means of identification for his followers, was the insignia painted on his shield and embroidered on his surcoat, the flowing and draped garment worn over the armour. |
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