The early Czech chroniclers and historians were generally identified by their place of birth. The Czech patriot Cosmas (1039-1125) was known as Cosmas of Prague while one of the first graduates of Prague University (founded in 1348) was the writer Thomas of Stitny (1325-1410). The reformer John Huss, who was responsible for the standardization of the Czech language, derives his surname from the word "husa" meaning a "goose". With regard to the Czech (Bohemian) surname Masek is of two possible origins. In the first place, this name may be of patronymic origin. Patronymic surnames are those names which derive their origin from the personal name of the father of the initial bearer. In this instance, the surname Masek is derived from the name Masa combined with the diminutive "ek" and therefore signifies "descendant or son of little Masa". The first-name Masa is itself the pet form of a number of Czech names beginning with "Ma" including Matej (Matthew), Martin and Maurituis (Morris). Masa may also be an aphetic form of Tomas. Alternatively, the surname Masek may be of occupational origin. Occupational names are those surnames which drive their origin from the work, trade or profession of the initial bearer. in this instance, the surname Masek is derived from the Czech word "maso" which means "meat" and thus here the name would denote one who was a butcher. References to this name or to a variant include a record of one Anton Masek who was "Postmeister" in Bohemia in 1786 and to whom the arms below were granted.