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Italy Naming Customs: Difference between revisions
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Surnames developed from four major sources: | Surnames developed from four major sources: | ||
=== Patronymic === These surnames are based on a parent’s name, such as Giovanni d’Alberto (John son of Albert). | === Patronymic === | ||
These surnames are based on a parent’s name, such as Giovanni d’Alberto (John son of Albert). | |||
=== Occupational === These surnames are based on the person’s trade, such as Pietro Contadino (Peter Farmer). | === Occupational === | ||
These surnames are based on the person’s trade, such as Pietro Contadino (Peter Farmer). | |||
=== Descriptive or Nickname === These surnames are based on a unique quality of the person, such as Andrea Amabile (Andrew Amiable). | === Descriptive or Nickname === | ||
These surnames are based on a unique quality of the person, such as Andrea Amabile (Andrew Amiable). | |||
=== Geographical === These surnames are based on a person’s residence, such as Maria Pugliese (Mary from Puglia). | === Geographical === | ||
These surnames are based on a person’s residence, such as Maria Pugliese (Mary from Puglia). | |||
== Surnames - nobility and wealthy land owners == | == Surnames - nobility and wealthy land owners == | ||
Surnames were first used by the nobility and wealthy land owners. Later they were used by merchants and townspeople and eventually by the rural population. This process took between two and three centuries. In Italy the practice was mostly established by the 1400s. | Surnames were first used by the nobility and wealthy land owners. Later they were used by merchants and townspeople and eventually by the rural population. This process took between two and three centuries. In Italy the practice was mostly established by the 1400s. | ||
== Women’s Surnames == Women are referred to by their maiden name in most documents. | == Women’s Surnames == | ||
Women are referred to by their maiden name in most documents. | |||
== Alias Surnames == In some areas of Italy, individuals may have taken a second surname. In records this second surname may be preceded by the word detto, vulgo, or dit. This practice was used to distinguish between different branches of the same family, especially when the families remained in the same town for generations. | == Alias Surnames == | ||
In some areas of Italy, individuals may have taken a second surname. In records this second surname may be preceded by the word detto, vulgo, or dit. This practice was used to distinguish between different branches of the same family, especially when the families remained in the same town for generations. | |||
== Grammatical Effects on Italian Names == | == Grammatical Effects on Italian Names == | ||
With a few exceptions, names in Italy follow the same pattern as the rest of the language: masculine names end in o, and feminine names in a. | With a few exceptions, names in Italy follow the same pattern as the rest of the language: masculine names end in o, and feminine names in a. | ||
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== Given Names == | == Given Names == | ||
Italian given names are often derived from Biblical names, such as Giuseppe (Joseph) or from the names of a saint, such as Francesco (Francis). | Italian given names are often derived from Biblical names, such as Giuseppe (Joseph) or from the names of a saint, such as Francesco (Francis). | ||
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== Web Sites == | == Web Sites == | ||
Italian Surnames: | Italian Surnames: | ||
* '''http://italia.indettaglio.it/eng/cognomi/cognomi.html<br>''' | * '''http://italia.indettaglio.it/eng/cognomi/cognomi.html<br>''' | ||
* '''http://www.gens.labo.net/<br>''' | * '''http://www.gens.labo.net/<br>''' | ||
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Italian Personal Names: | Italian Personal Names: | ||
* '''http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/arval/venice14/venice14sur.html''' | * '''http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/arval/venice14/venice14sur.html''' | ||
[[Category:Italy]] | [[Category:Italy]] | ||