The Standards for Evaluation of Names and Armory - SCA Heraldry

The Standards for Evaluation of Names and Armory:The Rules for Submissions2. Names of the Peerage Orders: Order and award names may not include the names of the peerage ordersor overt references to famous knightly orders such as the Garter. Other types of non-personal names mayonly use such elements in contexts where no reference to the order is likely to be perceived by members ofthe order and the general populace.For example, while the name Order of the Garter and Laurel is clear of conflict with the Order of theLaurel, it is presumptuous and we would not register it. Likewise, we would not register Order of the Roseof the West, even though the addition of the element of the West clears the conflict with the Order of theRose. For example, House of the Blue Garter could be seen as a reference to the blue garter badge of theOrder of the Garter and would not be registered, but House of the White Garter would be allowed.3. Elements that are Presumptuous in Personal Names: Names may not contain a name element or groupof elements we would consider presumptuous in a personal name (see PN.4). Examples include a bynameuniquely used by a single dynasty, the combination of a surname and the title or seat of the family, or namesgranted as an honor.C. Names that Claim Powers: Non-personal names may not contain an unmistakable claim of superhumanabilities, magical powers, or divine origin.In general, a name phrase used by historical people is not considered to be a claim to superhuman abilities ordivine origin. In general, a non-personal name using an element that would be considered such a claim in apersonal name will not be registered.For example, Odins House would be registerable, because Odin was used as a human given name in MiddleEnglish. Similarly, a name like Gods House would be registerable, as it is the attested name of an Englishcollege. On the other hand, Lokasson House or Lokison House, formed from the name Loki, would not beallowed. Because the only known use of Loki is as the name of an Old Norse god, such a name would be aclaim to a divine origin or relationship.D. Claim of Identity, Ownership, or Affiliation with an Important Non-SCA Entity or Person: Non-personalnames may not be too close to the name of a protected entity. Non-personal names also may not make anunmistakable claim of ownership by or affiliation with any name we protect.A non-personal name submission is said to presume on a protected name if the substantive element of thesubmission is not substantially different in sound and appearance from the substantive element of theprotected name, or if it makes an unmistakable claim of ownership by or affiliation with the protected name.The standards for substantial difference and unmistakable claims are set in NPN.3 above as "identity conflict"and "affiliation conflict" respectively, except that such items are not registerable, even with permission.For non-SCA entities and people considered important enough to protect, we protect all forms in which theirname was known, including in other languages. We do not go out of our way to find obscure or hypotheticalforms of names that might be too similar to a submission. We protect only the names by which entities wereactually known and can easily be found by a modern person.For example, we protect London, Londres, and Londinium, as all are forms by which London has beenknown.1. Non-SCA Entities Protected from Presumption: A non-personal name submissions is only considered topresume on protected non-personal names. Names of important non-SCA entities are protected frompresumption. Entities that we protect include places (countries, regions, and cities), chivalric orders andheraldic titles, and the names of organizations (colleges, businesses, and other such entities).Places and organizations that are not important enough to have an entry in a standard print encyclopedia,Standards for Evaluation of Names and Armory – April 29, 2012 - Page 32 of 73