When you’re writing a last name, it can be hard to know what to include. There are several options, including:
Nobility
Some nobles add a de or du to their surnames, which can indicate that they have aristocratic blood or a connection to a specific region of the world. This is an easy way to make your last name sound more interesting and authentic. It’s especially common in French names.
If you’re writing a story set in a country where you don’t have a lot of first-hand knowledge, it can be tricky to find a name that sounds like it should. One way to help is by doing some research on the culture of the place you’re setting your novel in.
For example, if you’re writing a story about a heroine from Thailand, you might be looking for a Thai last name that sounds authentic. You could choose something that’s not a common Thai name but is similar to the local dialect.
Alternatively, you could consider a Spanish last name that includes the preposition “de” or “y.” These two words are often added to names for three reasons:
1. It shows nobility, as in Gabriel de la Cueva y Giron (“of the cueva”), a sixteenth-century nobleman and military leader.
2. It denotes location, as in Lope Felix de Vega y Carpio (de Vega means “of the meadow”), a famous playwright of undistinguished origin.
3. It makes your story sound more authentic, as in the case of a character from ancient Rome.
A great example of this is Octavius, who has the Greek letter
Nobility is also important to note when addressing someone in the United Kingdom. In the United Kingdom, a person is addressed as a ‘Lord’ or a ‘Lady’, depending on their rank and their status as a member of the nobility. If a person is a Lord, they are addressed as ‘Lord (first name)’ in a conversation or a salutation.
It’s important to remember that a ‘Lord’ or an ‘Lady’ is not a name or rank: they are honorifics used in conversation or in a salutation when addressing certain members of the nobility.
There are many other ways to address people, so it is a good idea to be familiar with all the different forms of address before you try to address someone in the UK.
If you are unsure about what form of address to use, or if a person has a noble rank, it is best to ask them in person. This is easier to do if they are in a public setting.
Another way to get a feel for what a particular last name sounds like is to ask a friend or family member about it. They can tell you how they heard it and what it means.
Then, you can decide whether it sounds right for your story. It can be a fun way to get your ideas out of your head and onto paper!
