This Italian surname of ALOISE was a baptismal name 'the son of Louis or Lewis', an ancient and still popular font name. This was the name of the founder of the Frankish dynasty, recorded in Latin chronicles as Ludovicus. The name was popular throughout France in the Middle Ages, and was introduced into England by the Normans. On the continent it was a hereditary name borne by many French kings. Other spellings of the name include ALOYSIUS, ALOIS, ALOISI, ALLOISIO, ALUIS, ALUIGO, ALOIGI, ALOVISI, ALVIGI and LUIS, to name but a few. Surnames as we know them today were first assumed in Europe from the 11th to the 15th Century. The employment in the use of a second name was a custom that was first introduced from the Normans. They themselves had not long before adopted them. It became, in course of time, a mark of gentler blood, and it was deemed a disgrace for gentlemen to have but one single name, as the meaner sort had. At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function on the battlefield and in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face, and armour encasing the knight from head to foot, the only means of identification for his followers, was the insignia painted on his shield and embroidered on his surcoat, the flowing and draped garment worn over the armour. St. ALOYSIUS (1568-91) was the Italian Jesuit and the patron saint of youth. The eldest son of the Marquis of Castiglione, near Brescia, he renounced his title to become a missionary and entered the Scociety of Jesus in 1585. When Rome was stricken with plague in 1591 he devoted himself to the care of the sick, but was himself infected and died. He was canonized in 1726 and in 1926 was declared the patron saint of Christian youth by Pope Pius XI. His feast day is 21st June. In the Middle Ages the Herald (old French herault) was an officer whose duty it was to proclaim war or peace, carry challenges to battle and messages between sovereigns; nowadays war or peace is still proclaimed by the heralds, but their chief duty as court functionaries is to superintend state ceremonies, such as coronations, installations, and to grant arms. Edward III (1327-1377) appointed two heraldic kings-at-arms for south and north, England in 1340. The English College of Heralds was incorporated by Richard III in 1483-84.