Family Name Histories provide the meaning and origin of the name, the earliest date the name was recorded and historical references to the name, notable name bearers, the circumstances and date of the introduction of the name to the New World and the description of the Blazon of Arms and Crest all of which are presented on a parchment certificate authenticated by a signed Heritage seal. 

The meaning and origin of the name

     The study of names and their origin is called ONOMASTICS.  The ancient Indo-European people, who imposed its language and culture on the greater part of Europe and on a large part of Asia, possessed a common name system that has left traces on most of the languages of Europe and Western Asia.  Each culture has their own unique traditions of developing surnames, however almost all last names were developed by the influence of government in its effort to clearly identify individual people for a variety of purposes such as taxation or land transfer. 
     There are several general origins for surnames.  The most common is occupational such as Miller, Baker and Smith.  Others were derived from the place where the person lived as in Wood, Hill and Waters.  A third group came from the father, for example Richardson was the son of Richard.  Yet another group originated with a characteristic or peculiarity of the individual.  A person of small stature may have acquired the name Short, Little or Small.  Even animals have given rise to surnames, frequently because the person was thought to possess some characteristics associated with that animal.  If a person was thought to be cunning or shrewd he may have been called Fox.
           
            The Irish surname Moore is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic O’Mordha.  The prefix “O” signifies “grandson of” or “descendant” and indicates that the name is of patronymic origin.  The first name Mordha means “stately” or” noble”.
            Excerpt from the Moore (Ireland) Family Name History

     The keeping of records by Governments or Religious organizations provides a rich and exact source for the earliest date a family name can be found.  These records also provide a glimpse into the historical background of a particular surname with events such as military records and honors, christenings, weddings and funerals.
           
“One of the earliest references to this name is a record of one Piotr Gwiazdowski, a canon at Krakow Cathedral in the year 1617.”

Notable name bearers –

     The use of a variety of encyclopedic resources from different cultures gives specific and accurate information about notable name bearers and to gives added depth to the Family Name History.

            “Notable bearers of the surname Sabatelli include Francesco Sabetelli (1803-1833), a painter, and Giuseppe Sabatelli (1813-1843) also a painter.”

            “Among the notable name bearers of this surname was Juan de Acosta, the Spanish seaman who accompanied Pizarro on his expedition to Peru in 1531.”

Description of the Blazon of Arms and Crest –

     Blazon of Arms and Crests are meticulously recorded by a variety of reference books specific to a country.  The original vocabulary of Heraldry, which was developed by the early heralds, achieves brevity by which a single word might indicate the position, posture and attitude of the various elements contained in a Blazon of Arms.  The use of this vocabulary offers the most reliable and accurate description.  For a more detailed explanation of the Heraldic Insignia please refer to the next section.

            “Azure, on a terrace vert, a garb or, in chief three mullets or.”
Excerpt from the Beaudreault (France) Family Name History