The surname of ALWINE was a baptismal name 'the son of Aylwin'. Originally the coat of arms identified the wearer, either in battle or in tournaments. Completely covered in body and facial armour the knight could be spotted and known by the insignia painted on his shield, and embroidered on his surcoat, the draped garment which enveloped him. Between the 11th and 15th centuries it became customary for surnames to be assumed in Europe, but were not commonplace in England or Scotland before the Norman Conquest of 1066. They are to be found in the Domesday Book of 1086. Those of gentler blood assumed surnames at this time, but it was not until the reign of Edward II (1307-1327) that second names became general practice for all people. Early records of the name mention Richard Alewyn, County Wiltshire, 1273. Reginald Aylweyn was rector of Dickleburgh, County Norfolk, in the year 1394. William Aylwin and Mary Wright were married at St. George's, Hanover Square, London in the year 1769. The name has many variant spellings which include AYLWIN, ALLWEIN and ALWINE. Since the dawn of civilisation the need to communicate has been a prime drive of all higher mankind. The more organised the social structure became, the more urgent the need to name places, objects and situations essential to the survival and existence of the social unit. From this common stem arose the requirements to identify families, tribes and individual members evolving into a pattern in evidence today. In the formation of this history, common usage of customs, trades, locations, patronymic and generic terms were often adopted as surnames. The demands of bureaucracy formally introduced by feudal lords in the 11th century, to define the boundaries and families within their fiefdoms, crystallized the need for personal identification and accountability, and surnames became in general use from this time onwards. A notable member of the name was William ALWYN (1905-1985) the British composer. He was a professor of composition at the Royal Academy of Music (1926-55). He also wrote film music and composed symphonies and chamber music.