NORNA-RAPPORTER 88 Binamn. Uppkomst, bildning, terminologi ...

88 Magnus Källström
ible to divide the names studied into six semantic groups, based on whether they express
(1) physical characteristics; (2) mental characteristics; (3) home district, birth place or
temporary place of residence; (4) function in the family; (5) function in society; or (6)
certain situations, events, habits or ways of speaking.
In the present study, these semantic groups of bynames are compared with the different
roles represented in the inscriptions, in order to find possible correlations. Although
the sample is small, certain patterns seem to emerge. Physical and mental characteristics
are associated with all four roles in the inscriptions, but predominate in the case of the
individuals commemorated. Bynames alluding to function in society can also be found
in all roles, but are most prominent in conjunction with the name of the sponsor. In this
role we also find most of the records of appositions denoting kinship. It seems reasonable
to assume that the occurrence of bynames on rune stones was dependent on choices
made by the surviving relatives, who firstly named themselves with appositions conveying
status and kinship (and probably including claims of inheritance). Bynames based
on physical and mental characteristics typically refer to the deceased, and do not always
have a commendatory or flattering sense. It has previously been suggested that bynames
with this kind of negative meaning were originally coined in special environments, for
example ‘among the lads’ on a Viking ship. Through the subsequent achievements of
the person in question, the former nickname might later have become a mark of honour,
which could explain the occurrence of this kind of byname even on high-status Viking
Age monuments.
The combination of forename and byname is very rare in memorial inscriptions in
Sweden. In Uppland and Södermanland it only occurs in 0.5–1 per cent of runic inscriptions,
and in Småland and Västergötland in 5–6 per cent. In runic memorial texts, a person
is normally called by one name only, a forename or an original byname. The adoption
of both forename and byname in certain inscriptions can thus be seen as an intentional
break from this norm, probably chiefly to proclaim status in various ways, but in
some cases certainly to distinguish the person in question from others with the same
forename.