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In the absence of a consistent system, names in Slovakia (similar to other European countries) were not stable for many centuries. Medieval people or even those of the 18th century, were not forced to use one official, very individual, and hereditary surname. It was enough if one could be more or less precisely distinguished by the society. Everyone had a given name, usually a Christian name. This was used during the course of his life in various forms. | In the absence of a consistent system, names in Slovakia (similar to other European countries) were not stable for many centuries. Medieval people or even those of the 18th century, were not forced to use one official, very individual, and hereditary surname. It was enough if one could be more or less precisely distinguished by the society. Everyone had a given name, usually a Christian name. This was used during the course of his life in various forms. | ||
For example, George could be used in Latin forms ''Georgius'' or ''Georg'', in Hungarian ''György'', in Slovak forms ''Juraj Ďord' Juro Jurko Ďuro Dzuro Ďurko''. | For example, George could be used in Latin forms ''Georgius'' or ''Georg'', in Hungarian ''György'', in Slovak forms ''Juraj Ďord' Juro Jurko Ďuro Dzuro Ďurko''. | ||
The first name was further supplemented with different characteristics: | |||
*'''father's, mother's, or family name:''' ''Glaško'' derived from Blasius or Blazej; ''Matuška'' derived from Mat'us or Mathias; ''Tomašikoviech'' from Tomáš or Thomas. | *'''father's, mother's, or family name:''' ''Glaško'' derived from Blasius or Blazej; ''Matuška'' derived from Mat'us or Mathias; ''Tomašikoviech'' from Tomáš or Thomas. | ||
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In addition, the whole description of a person could be recorded in many different ways, depending on the nationality, mother tongue, language used, education, and other personal abilities of a writer (clerk, priest). That's why each of our forefathers has a variety of different names. | In addition, the whole description of a person could be recorded in many different ways, depending on the nationality, mother tongue, language used, education, and other personal abilities of a writer (clerk, priest). That's why each of our forefathers has a variety of different names. | ||
Such patterns lasted till the end of the 18th century, when under the reign of Joseph II, surnames became hereditary by law. In spite of that, various forms of one person's name appeared even at the beginning of our century. By the way, the unofficial, so-called "living" names are still used in Slovakia. Especially in the countryside, persons are distinguished by them in everyday conversation. | Such patterns lasted till the end of the 18th century, when under the reign of Joseph II, surnames became hereditary by law. In spite of that, various forms of one person's name appeared even at the beginning of our century. By the way, the unofficial, so-called "living" names are still used in Slovakia. Especially in the countryside, persons are distinguished by them in everyday conversation. | ||
=== Development of Slovak Historical Surnames === | === Development of Slovak Historical Surnames === | ||