What's in a name?

Quite alot if you where a Border Riever in the Middle Ages!

When I was researching the Rievers, (the riding families or clans that lived, raided and generally terrorised the lawless Border country that divided England and Scotland), I quickly saw that they had quite distinct names.

Not only where the surnames unique to the area - Armstrong, Nixon, Dunn, etc - but they had nicknames.

Some refered to where they were from, such as 'Will O The Syde' (Will of the Side, side of a hill). )hers of what they looked like, 'Nebless Will' Crozier is a famous example. 'Neb' is the dialect word for nose, so 'nebless' meant that the unfortunate Will had lost part of his nose at somepoint.

The reason for the nicknames is unknown, to be honest, and so there arec many theories. From being a throw back to Viking ancestory to that fact that it was a way to differentiate between lost of men with the same names!

I am not really bothered in finding out the real reason - keeps a bit of mystery.

I do like the names and have dreamt up new ones for my Bordermen characters. In The Border Lords Honour you will follow the main character, 'Quick Jack' Armstrong. among other friends and foes are 'Mouse Ned', 'Cutfaced Clem' and many others.

You will get to know them and I have a feeling that some, those who survive, will appear in future books.

So, what's in a name?

Quite alot!

Jess xxx