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*Before record keeping began, most people had only one name, such as John. | *Before record keeping began, most people had only one name, such as John. | ||
*As the population increased, it became necessary to distinguish between individuals with the same name. The problem was usually solved by adding descriptive information. John became John the smith, John the son of Matthew, John the short, or John from | *As the population increased, it became necessary to distinguish between individuals with the same name. The problem was usually solved by adding descriptive information. John became John the smith, John the son of Matthew, John the short, or John from Zürich. | ||
*At first surnames applied only to one person, not to the whole family. After a few generations, these names became hereditary and were passed on from generation to generation. | *At first surnames applied only to one person, not to the whole family. After a few generations, these names became hereditary and were passed on from generation to generation. | ||
*Surnames developed from several sources. For example: | *Surnames developed from several sources. For example: | ||