Surnames

Most herd horses use only a given name to identify themselves, but there are exceptions in nearly every faction, often tied to prestige or pride.

## Aodh

**Aodhian** society does not practice the use of surnames, with one notable exception. Whether through marriage or birth, all **Nobles** belong to a **House**, divided by the **Great Houses** - those that predate **Ignacio's** return to Hireath in 884, and are thus heralded as playing a part in the herd's creation and glory - and the **Lesser Houses**, who came after. While stigma is attached to the age of your House, all are recognized under Aodhian law. Every House is careful to record their history.

Surnames are not practiced by the lower classes. The common herd member feels no need to identify themselves beyond a given name, while among artisans, being recognized by your given name alone is a matter of pride. While some commoners choose to give their family a surname as a subtle stick-it to the 'man', these names are not recognized legally, and will be met with scorn, amusement, or pity.

In formal settings, a Noble's name is spoken and written as such:

* Amadeus **of House** Soleil

Informally, it is acceptable to use the house name as a typical surname:

* Amadeus Soleil

## War-Forged

Before **Garok's** unification, the **clans** of **Onea** were not bound to any governing body. Clans defined their own laws and morality, forging alliances where it was mutually beneficial, and warring where it was not. Though Onea has been united under the **War-Forged** banner for some thirty years, clans remain significant as individualism struggles to gain a foothold.

Traditionalists and moderates alike will always specify their clan, and they expect to be given a clan name in return. Clan name is a more significant identifier than the given name, for a War-Forged horse is defined by the history of their kinsmen. This shared reputation can be beneficial if your clan is well respected. For those who have a checkered past, the clan becomes a burden. Entire clans can be exiled, as was the case with the **Bloody Flanks**.

Names can be spoken in several ways, for Oneans are only concerned with getting the point across. Examples include:

* Hira **of the** Stone Hooves
* Hira **of Clan** Stone Hooves
* Hira **of the** Stone Hooves **Clan**

The typical surname styling ("Hira Stone Hooves") is uncommon and generally avoided.

## Breim

Family names are rather important to the Umare no matter their rank, as they believe it’s important to keep track of family records for the sake of historical accuracy. It is customary for all partners in a marriage to take the family name of  the equine with the most respected family. Any children the family has will also receive the name. Children born outside of marriage will always take on the family name of the parent who gave birth to them.

The Kawaru also use family names, though more out of ease of knowing who individuals are at this point rather than any deep seeded need to record history or respect. That said, influence is important to the Kawaru and coming from a rich or influential family and being able to claim that name comes with it’s own privileges.

Outsiders among the Breim  without a surname are often encouraged to create one for themselves, solidifying their place as a Breimian, helping them to assimilate more seamlessly into the herd.

In Breimian society, names are typically given as such:

* Hajime **of the Arasoto family**

When dealing with outsiders, Breimian  will instead use their title and herd or faction in place of a surname, reserving their family name as something to be shared only among their own people:

* High King Hajime **of the** **Umare**
* Arisen Uriah **of the Kawaru**

## Talori

The **Talori** don't use surnames, taking more pride in their line of work than any sort of family lineage. Because of this, they tend to use their rank as an identifier, often listing it before their given name in most formal settings. Names are often given as such:

* Guardian Taishen
* Sage Rycaron

* Agriculturalist Madoka

Talorians without a defined rank such as indentured servants or tenderfeet, will either forgo the formality all together in reference to their own names, or exchange it with what it is they do. Examples include:

* Assistant Laurens
* Cleric Apprentice Nerissa

Rogues will rarely use any form of identifier, unless they are part of a ship's crew. Rogue pirates will often give their ship's name as a surname, like so:

* Captain Ceto of *The Huntress*
* Rory of *The Bloody Siren*

Some old families (Mostly descendants of refugees from the end of the God's War) use surnames as a way to hang on to their heritage for one reason or another, though it is not a common practice within the herd, and means nothing to anyone outside the family.

## Serora

Serorans do not use surnames. While they are not incapable of grasping 'the point' of family names, they find the idea grossly unnecessary at best, and divisive at worst. Serorans consider their herd to be their family, and are loathe to incorporate anything that implies a divide between their herd mates.

That said, Serorans accept the use of surnames among immigrants, understanding that it is a critical piece to their identity.