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Polish surnames developed from four major sources: | Polish surnames developed from four major sources: | ||
*Occupational, based on the person’s trade, such as Kowalski (Smith) | *'''Occupational''', based on the person’s trade, such as Kowalski (Smith) | ||
*Descriptive or Nickname, based on a unique quality of the person, such as Młody (Young) | *'''Descriptive or Nickname''', based on a unique quality of the person, such as Młody (Young) | ||
*Geographical, based on a person’s residence, such as Podleski (Underwood) | *'''Geographical''', based on a person’s residence, such as Podleski (Underwood) | ||
*Patronymic, based on a person’s father’s given name, such as Janowicz (son of Jan) | *'''Patronymic''', based on a person’s father’s given name, such as Janowicz (son of Jan) | ||
Surnames were first used by the nobility and wealthy landowners. Later the custom was followed by merchants and townspeople and eventually by the rural population. This process took two or three centuries. In Poland the practice was well established by the 1500s. It is not possible to determine the exact year or even the century when a particular family name was taken. | Surnames were first used by the nobility and wealthy landowners. Later the custom was followed by merchants and townspeople and eventually by the rural population. This process took two or three centuries. In Poland the practice was well established by the 1500s. It is not possible to determine the exact year or even the century when a particular family name was taken. | ||
===Alias Surnames=== | |||
In some areas of Poland people may have taken a second surname. In the records this may be preceded by the word '''alias, vulgo, vel, or genannt'''. This practice is rare and was done mainly because of property ownership. It can be found in certain parts of Silesia. A good article on this topic can be found at this link: [http://www.pietrowicewielkie.net/index.php/spitznamen/51-einleitung-zu-qspitznamen-1939q http://www.pietrowicewielkie.net/index.php/spitznamen/51-einleitung-zu-qspitznamen-1939q] . This article is written in German. | |||
Jewish Naming Customs. Before 1808 the use of a family name by Jews was left to the discretion of the individual. Jews in Poland usually used only a given name and the name of their father, such as Isaac, son of Abraham. Most Jews did not adopt hereditary family names until required to do so by law. Jews in the Austrian territory of Galicia were required to adopt surnames in 1785. In 1808 Napoleon made a similar decree for all the Jews of his empire, including the Duchy of Warsaw. In 1844 Jews were again required to adopt surnames because of noncompliance. | Jewish Naming Customs. Before 1808 the use of a family name by Jews was left to the discretion of the individual. Jews in Poland usually used only a given name and the name of their father, such as Isaac, son of Abraham. Most Jews did not adopt hereditary family names until required to do so by law. Jews in the Austrian territory of Galicia were required to adopt surnames in 1785. In 1808 Napoleon made a similar decree for all the Jews of his empire, including the Duchy of Warsaw. In 1844 Jews were again required to adopt surnames because of noncompliance. | ||
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In Poland the child was usually called by the name given at baptism. However, if the baptism record shows a Latin given name of Adalbertus, this is not what that child would be called. Rather, he would be called by the Polish version of his name, which would be Wojciech. | In Poland the child was usually called by the name given at baptism. However, if the baptism record shows a Latin given name of Adalbertus, this is not what that child would be called. Rather, he would be called by the Polish version of his name, which would be Wojciech. | ||
No particular naming pattern for given names was used in Poland as was common in other European countries. In Poland each day of the year is assigned a saint’s name and it is often noted in the church records that on that given day every girl and boy was named for that particular saint, making it appear that each parent had chosen the same name as everyone else for their child. | No particular naming pattern for given names was used in Poland as was common in other European countries. In Poland each day of the year is assigned a saint’s name and it is often noted in the church records that on that given day every girl and boy was named for that particular saint, making it appear that each parent had chosen the same name as everyone else for their child. | ||
==For Further Reading== | ==For Further Reading== | ||
Some books are available that discuss names in Poland and their meanings. One book that provides meanings, variations, and dates when a particular given name was first recorded is: | Some books are available that discuss names in Poland and their meanings. One book that provides meanings, variations, and dates when a particular given name was first recorded is: | ||