Government. Occupations. Names. Peopling your
setting is as important as geography, plants and animals,
structures and technology. In order to anchor your tale in
a setting where there are societies you must determine
what those societies and who rules them. Beyond that it is
important to note what secondary characters are to weave
in and out of the setting’s plot. To make them believable it
is necessary to give them substance. Choosing an
occupation is part of that substance.
What follows are catalogs of government types,
occupations, secular and temporal, occupations for the
everyday folk and a sampling of nicknames.
Governments
Anarchy: Society without formal government
Aristocracy: Government by a class of people who have
attained power due to birth or wealth. Aristocrats are
people who have social position as well as political power.
Autocracy: Government by one person who possesses
unlimited power. There are two forms of Autocracy:
Autocratic Monarchies and Autocratic Dictatorships.
The former is commonly accepted as the legitimate rule of
a King, whereas the latter is one of seized or assumed
power.
Clan: See Tribal hereafter.
Colonial: Government set up to rule a foreign territory by a
“parent” state. Though these governments may reflect the
parent government, they usually assume some form of
oligarchy or dictatorship.
Confederacy: These refer to the grouping of two or more
states with legitimate governments under a singular leader
or governing concept.
Democracy (pure): Government whereby all eligible
citizens gather on common grounds to vote on matters of
state, finance, etc.
Despotism: A form of Autocracy whereby an individual
has seized power illegitimately.
Dictatorship: A form of Autocracy whereby an individual
has seized power illegitimately.
Feudal: There are no feudal governments but rather a
society or region wherein feudalism is the dominate social,
political, economic and military organization. It implies a
complicated arrangement that governs the personal
relations of lords, vassals and peasants. It entails a
plethora of rights and duties between “superiors” and
“inferiors,” where social rank is determined by one’s land
rights, and military service and duty to the lord’s demesne
replaced monetary payments. In theory it is a simple form
of government whereby the one who owns land farms
sections of his land out to others for payment in services.
However, feudal societies are generally horribly entangled
in hereditary rights, land ownership, war, vassalage to two
or more lords and so forth.
Magocracy: Government my those able to employ magic, a
form of Aristocracy.
Manorialism: An outcropping of feudalism, which
concerns the local feudal arrangements, generally around
a town, village, monastery, manor or any other small form
of settlement which possesses a lord. The economic
arrangement between the lord and vassals is not a military
one but rather one of service only. Peasants are required
to tend the lords crops, bring wood etc for his protection
and for their right to live on the land. As with feudalsim,
manorialism becomes complicated with hereditary rights,
ownership, etc.
Matriarchy: Generally speaking this is an oligarchy
whereby females rule the state.
Monarchy: A form of government whereby rule is held by
one man or woman, a hereditary or elected king or emperor.
Generally associated with autocracy, however, monarchial
governments often share power with oligarches, aristocrats
and the people.
Oligarchy: The rule by a group of persons, families or
commercial groups. Generally these achieve power
through heredity or wealth.
Patriarchy: Generally speaking this is an oligarchy
whereby males rule the state.
Plutocracy: When a state’s wealth is concentrated in the
hands of a few and these few form an Oligarch, their rule is
generally referred to as a plutocracy.
Republic: A form of democratic rule, whereby the people
lay aside direct rule and empower chosen or elected
representative citizens to rule.
Theocracy: Government by a priesthood, a form of
oligarchy, whereby the church or religious leaders control
the state.
Tribal: Government of primitive sort acting under a chief.
These range widely from the autocratic to democratic.
Titles of Royalty and Nobility, Western European
Titles given in order of Rank.
Royalty
Emperor/Empress
King/Queen (German: Konig)
Archduke (palatine)/Archduchess (palatine)
Duke (palatine)/Duchess (palatine) (German: Herzog)
Prince (palatine)/Princess (palatine) (German: Prinz)
Count (palatine)/Countess (palatine)
Crown Prince/Crown Princess
Prince Royal/Princess Royal
Nobility
Duke (German: Herzog)/Duchess
Marquis (German: Margrave)/Marquise (German:
Margravine)
Count (English: Earl; German: Graf)/Countess (German:
Graffine)
Landgraf (German)/Landgraffine
Viscount/Viscountess ( German: Waldgraf/Waldgraffine)
Baron/Baroness
Lord (Don)/Lady
Baronet/Baronetess
Jewelry, of State
Typical items used by nobles as heirlooms or regalia.
Belt
Coronet
Crown
Dagger
Girdle
Mace
Medal
Medallion
Neck chain
Orb
Scepter
Sword
Offices, Royal
Accountant: A person trained in inspecting, keeping and
adjusting accounts.
Admiral: A naval officer of the highest rank or a specified
high rank that is the commander of a navy or fleet.
Agistor: An officer of the king’s forest who has the care,
to feed and pature, of agisted cattle and collected the
money for the same.
Auditor: A person appointed and authorized to audit
accounts. Also, a judicial hearer in an audience court.
Auditor General: A person appointed to organize and
oversee the actions of other auditors.
Bailiff: An administrative official of a district, with power
to collect taxes, serve as a magistrate, etc. The duties may
entail collecting fines, summoning juries, attending
assizes, executing writs and processes, directing husbandry
and collecting rents.
Baker: One whose occupation is making bread, biscuits,
pastry, etc.
Brewer: One whose occupation is to brew malt liquors
such as ale, beer, etc.
Butler: an officer attached to a royal court, usually
entrusted with the wine cellar, tableware and dining-room
arrangements and to supervise the other servants.
Captain: An organizer, overseer, superintendent or
one having authority over persons acting in concert.
Captain of the Guard: The commander of all guards
within an area.
Carver: One who cuts meat at the table.
Castellan: A person appointed to be governor or
constable of a castle.
Chamberlain: A person charged with the direction
and management of the household of a ruler or lord, a
steward.
Chancellor: A high official invested with judicial
powers, and particularly with the superintendence of
all letters and other official writings of a monarch.
Chaplin: A clergyman or layman appointed to perform
religious functions in an institution, as a royal court, club,
prison, etc.
Chef: A head cook.
Chief clerk: A person appointed to oversee the duties of
the clerks.
Clerk: A clergyman, ecclesiastic, or other who can read
and write, and performs certain duties in church,
government or both.
Cofferer: A person appointed as treasurer. Also, an
important officer of the king’s household.
Constable: The highest ranking official of a royal
household, court, etc. Also, the warden of a fortress or
castle.
Counselor: A person appointed to examine facts, opinions
or circumstances, and render advise or counsel on the
subject.
Cup-bearer: A person who fills and serves the wine cups.
Dispenser: One who deals out or dispenses provisions,
supplies, etc.
Forester (chief): A person in charge of a forest, a bailiff.
Gamekeeper: A person who takes care of birds and
animals on public lands or private estates.
General: The senior or highest rank of a military’s army.
Herald: An official whose duty it was to proclaim war, to
challenge to battle, to proclaim peace, bear messages, etc.
Also, the officer would marshal, order, and conduct
cavalcades, coronations, royal marriages, creation of new
noble offices, etc.
Horn-bearer: An honorary position
Hornblower: A person who sounds the fanfare within the
court of a noble, etc.
Huntsman (chief): The man whose office it is to manage
the chase and take charge of the hounds.
Jester: A professional fool employed to amuse with
antics, tricks and jokes.
Judge: An official invested with authority to hear and
decide civil and criminal cases within his appointed
jurisdiction.
Justiciar (Justiciary): The chief political and judicial
officer.
Justicer: See judge above.
Keeper of the: An official that oversees the maintenance
and upkeep of certain items of importance such as: Keeper
of the Keys, Keeper of the Mews, Keeper of the Royal Seal
Keeper of the Stables, Keeper of the Wardrobe.
Knight (royal order): A man, usually of high birth, that has
served as a page and squire, then is raised to the
honorable military rank of knight by a king or other
qualified lord that holds land on promise that he serve his
superior when needed.
Magistrate: A minor official who is empowered to
administer and enforce the law with certain limited judicial
and executive powers.
Majordomo: A man in charge of a great, royal, or noble
household, a chief steward.
Marshal: A high official of a royal household or court in
charge of military affairs, ceremonies, etc. This office is
equivalent to, and sometimes of higher rank, than a
general.
Minister: A person appointed to act for another and carry
out his orders or designs. This type of office sometimes
requires being sent to a foreign land as a representative,
and in this case the officer would be under an ambassador.
Notary: A person employed to take notes of contracts,
trials, and proceeding in the courts.
Pantler: An employee in a great household that has
charge of the bread and pantry.
Parker: A person whose job is the overseeing of an
enclosed area of land held by prescription , stocked and
preserved for hunting.
Porter: One who has charge of a door or gate, a
doorkeeper or gatekeeper.
Reeve: The chief officer of a town or district. Also overseer
of a manor, a bailiff or steward.
Regarder: An officer whose job is to inspect the forest.
Secretary: See clerk above.
Seneschal: A powerful official in the household of a noble
who is in charge of administering justice and managing the
domestic affairs of the estate, and he represents his lord in
court.
Sergeant: A servant who serves his master in battle.
Sheriff: The chief administrative and judicial officer of a
shire.
Steward: An officer appointed to oversee lands belonging
to the king.
Treasurer: An officer who has charge of all funds and
finances.
Usher: A person whose official duty is to precede
someone of rank, as in a procession, or to make
introductions between those unacquainted with one
another.
Verderer: See forester, bailiff.
Servants/Staff
Butler: The chief servant, one in charge of the wine cellar,
the kitchens and dining room and assigns duties to other
servants. A butler is in charge of all the household’s
servants.
Chef: The individual or individuals who run and operate
the kitchens.
Coachman: The one responsible for maintenance and
upkeep of the coach(es) and who drives it. Usually
possesses a good command of the region.
Cook: One who works in the kitchens.
Footman: A servant who waits on tables, opens the doors,
attends guests in the common areas, etc.
Gamekeeper: The individual who protects the hunting
grounds of any demesne. He is generally involved in
any hunt. Usually works with huntsmen or carries
that title as well.
Gardener: The one in charge of the gardens. Works and
plans for all seasonal changes and is therefore very
knowledgeable about plants and so forth.
Groom: Works for the stable master tending the horses.
Groundsman: Works with the gardener.
Guardsman: Any individual who is employed to protect a
person or place.
Housekeeper: Cleans the manor or house.
Huntsman: The one who organizes hunting expeditions.
Usually works with the Gamekeeper, or carries that title as
well.
Kennel keeper: One in charge of the dogs and hounds.
Jester (fool): One of the many entertainers who dwell or
hang on to royal households.
Lackey: A close servant or servant’s apprentice.
Lady in waiting: Those ladies who attend a woman of
noble birth. They are not considered servants, but rather
are looked upon as noble attendants, who could serve
their ladies better than common folk.
Laundress: One who does the lanundry.
Maid: One who works with or in a domicile and is generally
in charge of keeping the whole place orderly and clean.
Maid in waiting: A maid in waiting is attached to an
individual’s person and waits on that person’s needs.
Maid, chamber: The person in charge of keeping a
particular room or set of rooms in working order.
Maid, serving: A maid who is attached directly to one
individual and waits on that person.
Man, serving: See Maid, serving above.
Minstrel: One who sings, recites poetry, recounts tales
and histories. These are usually travelers as few are
wealthy enough to employ minstrels full time.
Page: A boy serving one of high rank, or someone
entering knighthood at a very early age.
Porter: Someone who carries gear, merchandise, produce,
etc.
Potboy: See scullion below.
Scullion: One who cleans pots and pans.
Sergeant at arms: The official in charge of the on duty
guard. Serves a captain.
Stable master: The individual in charge of the stables.
Also, keeping the horses groomed and fed.
Usher: An official doorkeeper.
Valet: A manservant who takes care of clothes, grooming
etc.
Offices, Religious Institutions
Abbot (Abbess): A superior or governor of a monastery.
Arch-Bishop: A chief bishop who presides over an archbishopric
or arch-diocese.
Bishop: A prelate superior to the priesthood, consecrated
for the spiritual government and direction of a diocese,
bishopric or see.
Cardinal: An ecclesiastical prince in a church who has a
voice in the conclave at the election of a pope, pontiff or
arch-bishop.
Cellarer: An official in a monastery who has the care of
the cellar, or the charge of procuring and keeping the
provisions.
Chancellor: See Government Officials.
Chaplin: A clergyman attached to a chapel, or a clergyman
appointed to carry out religious functions.
Curate: A clergyman who gives assistant to another, as in
a deacon.
Dean (schools): A subordinate to the bishop. A presiding
official of a cathedral or collegiate church.
Deacon (deaconess): A layman appointed to help the
minister, particularly in secular matters.
Elder: Any of certain leaders in a church organization..
Friar: A member of any number of religious orders.
High Priest: See priest.
Metropolitan: As an arch-bishop, having authority over
the bishops of a certain region.
Monk: A man who joins a religious order living in
retirement according to a rule and under vows of poverty,
obedience and chastity.
Patriarch: A bishop in a church who holds the highest
rank after a pope or pontiff.
Prelate: A high ranking ecclesiastic having authority over
the lower clergy as an arch-bishop.
Priest: A clergymen ranking beneath a bishop or high
priest and authorized to minster sacraments or religious
offices.
Precentor (music): A choir director.
Provost (grounds): One who is the head of a cathedral
chapter or church.
Reliquarian (relics): One who attends, as in storing and
cleaning, to a church’s or temple’s relics.
Reverend: A title of respect for
a clergyman.
Sexton: A church official who
is required to attend to the
church’s business as in taking
care of the vestments, the
grounds etc.
Treasurer (treasure): See
Royal Offices page 140
Verger: A lower ranking clergyman who is appointed the
task of carrying the verge, the staff of office. Usually
walks in front of the ranking priest or bishop.
Vestry clerk: The clerk appointed to keep the church’s
books and accounts.
Vicar: An office held by a lower clergy, one who assists in
the church services.
Occupations and Persons, Unusual
Names for
Armiger: The assistant warrior in charge of armor and
weapons of the knight.
Atilliator: A maker of crossbows.
Badge: A noble’s servant wearing the arms of the master
on the sleeve; servant.
Barber monger: A fop.
Beebe or Beeby: One who is a bee keeper.
Blowse: A ruddy, fat-faced wench.
Boggler: An inconstant woman.
Botcher: A mender of old clothes.
Butler: The servant in charge of the buttery where butts
of ale and wine were kept.
Callet: A woman of bad character.
Catiff: A wretch.
Cellerer: The keeper of the wine cellar.
Chamberer: An effeminate man.
Chapman: A pedlar of merchandise, via backpack, pack
animal, or cart or wagon.
Chuff: A low-born miser.
Cockney: An assistant to a cook; a kitchen servant.
Collier: A man selling and delivering coal.
Conner: The one in charge of testing ale by touch and
taste.
Cooper: A maker of barrels.
Cordwainer: A shoe maker.
Costermonger: An apple or fruit seller; a small-time
peddler.
Coxcomb: A fool’s or jester’s cap.
Cutter: A sculptor.
Cuttle: A cutpurse.
Feodary: One holding land from another in return for
service to that superior.
Fuller: A cleaner of cloth.
Gong Farmer: The privy emptier, a “Gold Finder” or
“Tom-turd-man”.
Groom: Any sort of a servant, not merely one caring for
horses.
Harbinger: A royal officer going ahead to secure lodgings
for the night.
Jack: A low-born man.
Keech: A butcher’s boy.
Lackey: A footboy; a mean servant.
Lazar: A leper; one with an incurable disease.
Lynk: Also linkboy, one who is a torchbearer.
Malkin: A kitchen wench.
Milliner: A dealer in fancy articles for adornment of
clothing and person, all perfumed.
Monger: A peddler of goods.
Nuncio: A messenger of important sort.
Nuncle: Term or address used by a fool when speaking to
a superior.
Ouph: An elf.
Palmer: A pilgrim.
Pantler: The servant in charge of the pantry where bread
was kept.
Pedant: A schoolmaster.
Poltroon: A coward.
Post: A messenger.
Poulter: A poulterer, a keeper and seller of poultry.
Publican: The keeper of a public house.
Pursuivant: A lesser herald; a royal messenger.
Purveyor: A royal officer going ahead to secure food for
the night.
Quean: A contemptible wench; a hussy.
Questant: One on a quest; a seeker.
Runagate: A vagabond; a masterless man.
Scrivener: A professional scribe.
Scutifer: The assistant warrior in charge of the shields of
the knight.
Sewer: The food taster used to show dishes were not
poisoned.
Sutler: One selling provisions and drink to a military
camp.
Swasher: A bully.
Tercel: A male hawk used for hunting.
Whitster: A person who bleaches linen and other cloth.
Yeoman: A freeman not of gentle birth.
Zany: A subordinate buffoon aping the main clown; an
assistant fool.
Occupations, as
Common Surnames
Archer
Armor(er)
Baker
Barber
Beebe/Beeby
Bloomer
Boatman
Boatwright
Bowman
Brewer
Butcher
Butler
Button(er)
Carpenter
Carter
Cartwright
Carver
Chamberlain
Chancellor
Chandler
Chaplain
Chapman
Clark
Collier
Conner
Constable
Cook
Cooper
Cordwainer
Cotter
Coward (cowherd)
Cutler
Cutter
Dyer
Elder
Falconer
Farmer
Farrier
Fish(er)
Fisher/Fischer
Fletcher
Flowers
Forester/Forrester
Fowler
Franklin
Fuller
Gardner
Glasser
Glazier
Glover
Harper
Hayward
Hornblower
Host
Hunt(er)
Hunter
Joiner/Joyner
Link/Lynk
Loomer
Marshal/Marshall
Mason
Mercer
Merchant
Miller
Milner
Miner
Minter
Nutter
Page
Paine/Payne
Painter/Paynter
Planter
Plumber
Porter
Potter
Poulter
Prentice (apprentice)
Reeve
Rider/Ryder
Roper
Sailor/Saylor
Saddler
Sandler
Sawyer
Scrivener
Sergeant
Sexton
Shepherd
Shoemaker
Singer
Skinner
Slater
Smith
Steward/Stewart
Tailor/Taylor
Tanner
Thatcher
Tiler/Tyler
Tinker
Turner
Usher
Verger
Wainwright
Waggoner
Waterman
Weaver
Webber
Webster
Wheeler (wheelwright)
Woodward
Entertainers
(Dancing)
(Drinking)
Acrobat/Animal-Trainer
Balancing Act
Band (musical)
Bard
Buffoon
Clown
Comedian
Contortionist
Dancer
Dog act
Escape Artist
Fireeater
Freak
Fool
Fortune Teller
Harpist
Jester
Juggler
Knife thrower
Magician
Mime
Minstrel
Mummer
Musician (soloist)
Musician
Musical Ensemble
Orchestra Poet
Orator
Poet
Prestidigitator
Puppeteer
Ringmaster
Singer/Vocalist
Skald (Storyteller)
Strong Man
Sword-swallower
Thespian
Tightrope walker
Trick Rider
Trick-shot Archer
Tumbler
Whip Wielder
Entertainments
Ball
Banquet
Boating
Coach journeying
(coaching)
Dancing
Games
Games, gambling
Hawking
Hunting
Joust
Musical performance
Music hall
Party, private
Party, tea
Puppet theater
Racing (foot, horse, etc.)
Riding
Sports event
Theatrical play
Yachting
Sports & Sports Events
Archery
Badminton (shuttlecock &
battledore)
Bear and bull fighting
Bear bating
Bowling, 10-pins
Bowling, 9-pins
Boxing
Bull baiting
Cock fighting
Dog fighting
Fencing
Football
Golf
Jousting
Jumping
Racing, foot
Racing, horse
Racing, sulky
Tennis
Throwing, hammer
Throwing, javelin
Weight lifting
Wrestling
Games, Gaming Objects
Backgammon
Badminton
Billiards
Blind man’s bluff
Bowls
Cards
Caroms
Charades
Chess*
Coin (or washer) pitching/
lagging
Counters (chips)
Croquet
Darts
Dice
Draughts (checkers)
Go
Golf
Hide & seek
Hoop and stick
Hop scotch
Horseshoes
Jacks (game)
Jump rope
Mah jong
Mumblety-peg
Naughts & crosses (tictac-
toe)
Nine men’s morris
Nine pins
Parcheesi
Pool
Pots & stones (mancala)
Put & take
Questions (20 questions)
Quoits
Roulette
Senet
Shovel (shuffle) board
Skittles
Snooker
Tennis
Tiddledy winks
Tops
*Types played besides
“modern” include
chaturanga, Chinese,
circular board, courier,
double (four player), great,
“old”, and shogi.
Nicknames,
Common
Action
Ape
Bad
Badger
Bags
Baldy
Barks
Barrel
Basher
Bear
Big
Bigfoot
Bigmouth
Big-nose
Black
Blackie
Blondie
Bloody
Blue
Bones
Bony
Boss
Boy
Brass
Brat
Brown
Bruiser
Buck
Bug
Bull
Bulldog
Cat
Chip
Chips
Chopper
Chops
Chubs
Chubby
Chuckles
Clout
Clubber
Crazy
Creeper
Creeps
Creepy
Curley
Dandy
Dangerous
Demon
Devil
Digger
Dirty
Eagle-eye
Ears
Edge
Fat
Fats
Fast
Fingers
Flash
Flint-eye
Fop
Fox
Foxy
Freckles
Fuzzy
Gentleman
Ghost
Gimpy
Goldie
Gorilla
Gray
Green
Grouchy
Grumpy
Half-pint
Happy
Hawkeye
Horse
Hungry
Ice
Iron
Itchy
Joker
Junior
Kid
Killer
Knots
Laughing Boy
Lefty
Lightning
Little
Lucky
Lump
Lumps
Mad
Monk
Monkey
Mop
Mouth
Old
Ox
Pig
Poker
Pokey
Preacher
Pretty Boy
Pudding
Quick
Rail
Red
Rocky
Rooster
Round
Rusty
Shorty
Skinny
Slick
Slim
Slimy
Slow
Smalls
Smokey
Smooth
Snake
Sneaky
Snotty
Spook
Spooky
Squints
Stick
Sticker
Stinky
Stretch
Strong
Stony
Stumpy
Suds
Sweets
Tall
Tiger
Tiny
Toad
Torch
Twig
Twiggy
Twit
Twitch
Twitchy
Ugly
Wart
Warts
Weasel
Wee
Whelp
Whiner
Whiney
Whip
Whiskey
Whisper
Whitey
Wide
Wildcat
Windy
Winkie
Winks
Worm
Yellow
Personal Possessions,
Carried/Worn
Female
Basket
Belt
Boots
Chatelaine
Clothing
Comb
Fan
Girdle (belt)
Gloves
Hand bag
Handkerchief
Hat
Hatpin
Headdress
Key(s)
Jewelry
Makeup compact
Mirror, small
Perfume vial
Poniard
Pouch, belt
Pouch, shoulder
Purse
Rouge
Rouge, lip
Sandals
Sash
Shawl
Shoes
Slippers
watch
Wig
Male
Baldric
Belt
Boots
Cane
Cigar case
Clothing
Comb
Dagger
Ear spoon
Handkerchief
Jewelry
Key(s)
Knife
Knife, pen
Match box
Matches
Opera stick
Pocket book
Pouch, belt
Pouch, shoulder
Purse
Sandals
Shoes
Slippers
Snuff box
Staff, walking
Sword
Walking stick
(short staff)
Wallet (scrip)
Watch chain
Watch fob
Watch, pocket
Wig
