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Added section on Swedish two-part surnames.
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''[[Sweden|Sweden]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[ | ''[[Sweden|Sweden]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Sweden_Names,_Personal|Names, Personal]]'' | ||
Understanding surnames and given names can help you find and identify your ancestors in the records. | Understanding surnames and given names can help you find and identify your ancestors in the records. | ||
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*Patronymic, based on the father's name, such as Johan Nilsson (son of Nils). | *Patronymic, based on the father's name, such as Johan Nilsson (son of Nils). | ||
*Nicknames, based on a person's characteristics, such as Pehr Fager (the fair). | *Nicknames, based on a person's characteristics, such as Pehr Fager (the fair). | ||
*Geographical, based on a person's place of birth or residence, such as Olof Grankulla. | *Geographical, based on a person's place of birth or residence, such as Olof Grankulla.<br>These were less common in Sweden.<br> | ||
*Occupational, based on the person's trade, such as Lars Smed (Smith). | *Occupational, based on the person's trade, such as Lars Smed (Smith).<br> These were very un-common in Sweden<br> | ||
In Sweden two-part surnames (constructed from two words) were very common:<br> | |||
*Based on two "nature words", for example: Lindgren (linden + branch), Berggren (hill + branch), Bladberg (leaf + hill), Sjöblad (lake + leaf), etc.<br> | |||
*Based on one "nature word" plus a greek/latin ending like -ander/-andra, -ius/-ia, -us/-a, -er, -en, -in, -ell, for example: Lindén, Linder, Lindell, Bergander, Bergius, etc.<br> | |||
Surnames were first used by nobility and wealthy land owners. Later the custom was followed by merchants and townspeople and eventually by the rural population. | |||
Most Swedish surnames are patronymic. Patronymic surnames changed with each generation. For example, Lars Pettersson was the son of a man named Petter. If Lars had a son named Hans, the son would be known as Hans Larsson (son of Lars). His brothers would be called Larsson, while a sister would be known as Larsdotter (daughter of Lars). When people used patronymics, a woman did not change her name at marriage. | Most Swedish surnames are patronymic. Patronymic surnames changed with each generation. For example, Lars Pettersson was the son of a man named Petter. If Lars had a son named Hans, the son would be known as Hans Larsson (son of Lars). His brothers would be called Larsson, while a sister would be known as Larsdotter (daughter of Lars). When people used patronymics, a woman did not change her name at marriage. | ||
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In 1901 a law required people to adopt permanent surnames to be passed onto successive generations. | In 1901 a law required people to adopt permanent surnames to be passed onto successive generations. | ||
==== 100 Most Common Surnames in Sweden ==== | ==== 100 Most Common Surnames in Sweden ==== | ||
{| | {| border="1" class="prettytable" | ||
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| <div align="right">67</div> | | <div align="right">67</div> | ||
| Hermansson | | Hermansson | ||
| | | <br> | ||
| | | <br> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <div align="right">34</div> | | <div align="right">34</div> | ||
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| <div align="right">68</div> | | <div align="right">68</div> | ||
| Nordin | | Nordin | ||
| | | <br> | ||
| | | <br> | ||
|} | |} | ||
=== Given Names === | === Given Names === | ||
The earliest known Swedish names appear about 55 A. D. on some 2000 Runic stones scattered around the kingdom. Usually the given names were given to describe a quality or characteristic, or resemble an occurrence or occasion that was desired in the life of the born babe, such as Ragnvald, which means, “He who is mighty with power.” | The earliest known Swedish names appear about 55 A. D. on some 2000 Runic stones scattered around the kingdom. Usually the given names were given to describe a quality or characteristic, or resemble an occurrence or occasion that was desired in the life of the born babe, such as Ragnvald, which means, “He who is mighty with power.” | ||
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Some of the more common given names used in Sweden during the last four centuries are listed below: | Some of the more common given names used in Sweden during the last four centuries are listed below: | ||
==== Male Names ==== | ==== Male Names ==== | ||
{| | {| width="99%" class="FCK__ShowTableBorders" | ||
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<br> | <br> | ||
==== Female Names ==== | ==== Female Names ==== | ||
{| | {| width="99%" class="FCK__ShowTableBorders" | ||
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'''For Swedish Naming Practices''' [[Swedish naming practices|click here]] | '''For Swedish Naming Practices''' [[Swedish naming practices|click here]] | ||
=== Websites === | === Websites === | ||
*http://www.genealogi.se/namneng.htm | *http://www.genealogi.se/namneng.htm | ||
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[[Category:Sweden]] | [[Category:Sweden]] | ||
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