Rosmerta - First or Last name

[hogsheadbarmaid]

No: HPFGUIDX 128616

> Lea asked:
> 
> >My reasoning for believing this to be her last name:
> >
> >Madam Pomfrey (Poppy Pomfrey),  Madam Pince (Irma Pince), Madam 
Hooch
> >(Rolanda Hooch - HP Lexicon, from trading card game), Madam 
Edgecombe,
> >Madam Malkin, and Madam Marsh, all obviously last names.  So why 
would
> >Madam Rosmerta be different and be a first name?
> 
> You're right that it's inconsistent.  But in *Prisoner of Azkaban,* 
Fudge 
> calls her "Rosmerta, m'dear," which seems to indicate it's her 
first name.
> 
> 
> Janet Anderson

Now The Barmaid:

I think the inconsistency has something to do with class and social 
standing.  While Rosmerta is certainly loved and respected she simply 
has the kind of role, the type of job and position in the community, 
that would make her someone to be called by their first name.  "Tom" 
at the Leakey Cauldron is also a first name type person.  She is 
like "Miss Kitty" from the old TV show Gunsmoke. (Not that anyone 
here is old enough to remember that)

           --Barmaid