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{{Norway | {{CountrySidebar | ||
|Country=Norway | |||
|Name=Norway | |||
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|Topic Type=Background | |||
|Background=Naming Customs | |||
|Rating=Standardized | |||
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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
Considerable confusion exists among many people with Norwegian ancestry regarding how names are used in Norway and how they should be recorded. This document attempts to give background into the historical practices, legislation, and recommended best practices for recording Norwegian personal and place names. | Considerable confusion exists among many people with Norwegian ancestry regarding how names are used in Norway and how they should be recorded. This document attempts to give background into the historical practices, legislation, and recommended best practices for recording Norwegian personal and place names. | ||
=== Things To Know === | === Things To Know === | ||
*As early as the 1600s certain classes of people had fixed surnames.<ref>Stoa, Nils Johan and Per-Øiving Sandberg. ''Våre Røtter: Håndbok i slektsgransking for nybgynnere og videredomme.'' J. W. Cappelens Forlag A. S., 1992, page 32.</ref> | |||
*During the end of the 19th century people began adopting fixed surnames | *During the end of the 19th century people began adopting fixed surnames | ||
*The first law in Norway regarding names was passed in 1923 | *The first law in Norway regarding names was passed in 1923 | ||
*Most of the population used patronymic surnames which are derived from the father's given name and a suffix to identify the child's gender, ''-sen'', ''-datter'' | *Most of the population used patronymic surnames which are derived from the father's given name and a suffix to identify the child's gender, ''-sen'', ''-datter'' | ||
*Surnames were frequently abbreviated in records | *Surnames were frequently abbreviated in records | ||
**The suffix ''-datter'' | **The suffix ''-datter'' was frequently abbreviated as '''d.''', '''dr.''', '''dtr.''', etc. | ||
*Spelling was not standardized in Norway until 1917 | *Spelling was not standardized in Norway until 1917 | ||
=== Best Practices For Recording Names === | === Best Practices For Recording Names in Family Tree === | ||
*Surnames which are abbreviated in the records should be recorded fully spelled out | *Surnames which are abbreviated in the records should be recorded fully spelled out | ||
*Farm names indicate residence, and should be recorded as part of the event locality - not as a surname | *Farm names indicate residence, and should be recorded as part of the event locality - not as a surname | ||
*When a person's name is not given in the records, or only part of their name is known, see the instructions in [[Entering Unknown or Incomplete Names in Genealogy]] | |||
== Legislative Changes == | == Legislative Changes == | ||
=== Language Reforms === | === Language and Spelling Reforms === | ||
Reforms to the written form of Norwegian started in 1862. This legislation began the standardization of the language by substituting ''k'' for ''c'', ''q'', and ''ch''; the use of double vowels to indicate length was discontinued; ''ph'' was replaced in words by ''f'', and silent ''e'''s were dropped from words. Even with these reforms in place, people continued to write information in the manner they were accustomed to, so Olaf Christophersen may appear as Olav Kristofersson in a separate document. | Reforms to the written form of Norwegian started in 1862. This legislation began the standardization of the language by substituting ''k'' for ''c'', ''q'', and ''ch''; the use of double vowels to indicate length was discontinued; ''ph'' was replaced in words by ''f'', and silent ''e'''s were dropped from words. Even with these reforms in place, people continued to write information in the manner they were accustomed to, so Olaf Christophersen may appear as Olav Kristofersson in a separate document. | ||
In 1917 the first reforms were enacted which affected both of Norway's [[Norway Languages|official languages]], ''riksmål'' and ''landsmål''. These were accompanied by changes to the names and spellings of 188 municipalities, followed the next year by changes to the names of several counties. In the 1920s several cities were renamed; Kristiania became Oslo, Fredrikshald became Halden, Sandviken was changed to Sandvika, and others. | In 1917 the first reforms were enacted which affected both of Norway's [[Norway Languages|official languages]], ''riksmål'' and ''landsmål''. Since 1929 ''landsmål'' has been called ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nynorsk Nynorsk]''. The change to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_orthography orthography] introduced the letter ''Å'' from the Swedish writing system with the lowercase version ''å'' to replace ''Aa'' and ''aa''. These were accompanied by changes to the names and spellings of 188 municipalities, followed the next year by changes to the names of several counties. In the 1920s several cities were renamed; Kristiania became Oslo, Fredrikshald became Halden, Sandviken was changed to Sandvika, and others. | ||
=== 1923 Law on Personal Names === | === 1923 Law on Personal Names === | ||
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=== Naming Patterns === | === Naming Patterns === | ||
A specific naming pattern was very common in Norway and in other parts of Europe until about 1900. Although not always followed strictly, the following pattern may be helpful in researching family groups and determining the parents of the mother and father: | A specific naming pattern was very common in Norway and in other parts of Europe until about 1900. Although not always followed strictly, the following pattern may be helpful in researching family groups and determining the parents of the mother and father<ref>Seland, Per. [http://www.nagcnl.org/naming-patterns/ "Naming Customs In Older And Newer Times"], Norwegian American Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library, translation of a reprint from ''Genealogiska Föreningen. 1933-1983'', Stockholm, 1983.</ref> | ||
*The first male child was usually named for the father's father. | *The first male child was usually named for the father's father. | ||
*The second boy was named for the mother's father. | *The second boy was named for the mother's father. | ||
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== Surnames == | == Surnames == | ||
It is clear from the oldest known records that names have been used identify individuals throughout history. Surnames, as they are understood by many English-speaking cultures today, first began to be used before the end of the first millennium, C.E. Surnames were first introduced in Europe by the Normans, who were French-speaking descendants of Viking settlers. This may indicate that people living in Scandinavia were among the earliest adopters of some type of surname. | It is clear from the oldest known records that names have been used to identify individuals throughout history. Surnames, as they are understood by many English-speaking cultures today, first began to be used before the end of the first millennium, C.E. Surnames were first introduced in Europe by the Normans, who were French-speaking descendants of Viking settlers. This may indicate that people living in Scandinavia were among the earliest adopters of some type of surname. | ||
As the population increased, it became necessary to distinguish between individuals with the same name. The problem was usually solved by adding descriptive information such as who a person’s father was, residence, occupation, or characteristic. Now, Hans could be known as Hans the son of John (Johnsen), Hans of Nordgaard farm, Hans the tailor (''skredder''), or ''Vesle'' (young) Hans. | As the population increased, it became necessary to distinguish between individuals with the same name. The problem was usually solved by adding descriptive information such as who a person’s father was, residence, occupation, or characteristic. Now, Hans could be known as Hans the son of John (Johnsen), Hans of Nordgaard farm, Hans the tailor (''skredder''), or ''Vesle'' (young) Hans. | ||
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Surnames can be identified as having originated from one of three ways: | Surnames can be identified as having originated from one of three ways: | ||
*Patronymic - based on the father’s given name, such as Jensen (son of Jens) | *Patronymic - based on the father’s given name, such as Jensen (son of Jens) | ||
*Geographical - based on | *Geographical - based on the name of farm or house where they lived, such as Mundal (see [[Norway Naming Customs#Farm Names|Farm Names]]) | ||
*Occupational - based on the person's trade, such as Smed (Smith) | *Occupational - based on the person's trade, such as Smed (Smith) | ||
===Online Tools=== | |||
*[https://www.familysearch.org/en/surname Surname experience] at FamilySearch - search by surname to learn its meaning and origin | |||
=== Patronymics === | === Patronymics === | ||
[[File:Norway Patronymic Surnames.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Illustration of the derivation of Norwegian patronymic surnames]] | [[File:Norway Patronymic Surnames.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Illustration of the derivation of Norwegian patronymic surnames]] | ||
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After about 1850, it became the custom in the cities to take permanent surnames. By 1900 most of Norway began doing so. By 1923, when the first law regarding surnames was passed, most people had already adopted the practice of using a permanent family name to be passed to successive generations. When this happened, many Norwegians chose to use the name of their farm (residence) as their surname. | After about 1850, it became the custom in the cities to take permanent surnames. By 1900 most of Norway began doing so. By 1923, when the first law regarding surnames was passed, most people had already adopted the practice of using a permanent family name to be passed to successive generations. When this happened, many Norwegians chose to use the name of their farm (residence) as their surname. | ||
== Abbreviations == | |||
When recording surnames, it is important to remember that patronymics were frequently abbreviated in the records. The abbreviations '''dr.''', '''dtr.''', '''d.''', are all substitutes for ''datter''. Likewise, male patronymics are frequently shortened to '''s'''. In a parish where most of the population has a surname ending with ''datter'' or ''sen'', recording the name in full would be needlessly redundant. | When recording surnames, it is important to remember that patronymics were frequently abbreviated in the records. The abbreviations '''dr.''', '''dtr.''', '''d.''', are all substitutes for ''datter''. Likewise, male patronymics are frequently shortened to '''s'''. In a parish where most of the population has a surname ending with ''datter'' or ''sen'', recording the name in full would be needlessly redundant. | ||
Abbreviations in the records are not limited to surnames. Some given names are frequently abbreviated as well. Perhaps the most commonly encountered abbreviation is in names containing the word ''Christ'', where it is written as ''X'', it being a modern siglum of the Greek ''Χρ'', representing the first two letters in the Greek spelling of Christ. | |||
=== Fixed Surnames and Patronymics === | |||
Beginning in the 1600s some families, notably those of higher civil status, began adopting fixed surnames which did not change from one generation to the next. In some cases the family began using the patronymic surname for subsequent generations. In christening records, mothers who had fixed family name surnames will often be recorded with the word "''født''" or the abbreviation "''f.''", to indicate their family name. See for example, the 1892 baptism of Jannike, daughter of Jakob Johan Langeland and [https://www.digitalarkivet.no/kb20050809020085 Elisabeth Kristine f. Schelderup]. | |||
=== Name Frequency === | === Name Frequency === | ||
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All three are the same person. | All three are the same person. | ||
When farm names are given in a record, they provide residence information and are not part of the person’s surname. As such, they should be added as part of the locality information and | When farm names are given in a record, they provide residence information and are not part of the person’s surname. As such, they should be added as part of the locality information and not a part of the person's name. An illustration would be a person named Mary Smith. Her name alone is not that unique, but if you were to refer to her as Mary Smith of Battle Lake, Minnesota, she is identified with much higher precision. | ||
According to Yngve Nedrebø, Director of the Regional Archive in Bergen, "[farm names do] not necessarily identify a family or a relationship; it signified a place of residence. If farmer Ole Olsen Li moved from Li to another farm, such as Dal, he would then be known as Ole Olsen Dal. A farm laborer could be named in the same way, even though he was not related to the farmer."<ref>Nedrebø, Yngve, ''How to trace your ancestors in Norway''. Oslo, Norway : Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1989. | According to Yngve Nedrebø, Director of the Regional Archive in Bergen, "[farm names do] not necessarily identify a family or a relationship; it signified a place of residence. If farmer Ole Olsen Li moved from Li to another farm, such as Dal, he would then be known as Ole Olsen Dal. A farm laborer could be named in the same way, even though he was not related to the farmer."<ref>Nedrebø, Yngve, ''How to trace your ancestors in Norway''. Oslo, Norway : Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1989. FS Library Book {{FSC|504142|item|disp=948.1 D27o 1989}}. Also available online at Digital Archives, [https://www.digitalarkivet.no/en/content/trace-ancestors How to trace your ancestors in Norway].</ref> | ||
Another problem with including farm names as part of someone’s surname is making the decision of which farm name to use. It is not uncommon for a person to live more than one place over the course of their lifetime. Would you use: | Another problem with including farm names as part of someone’s surname is making the decision of which farm name to use. It is not uncommon for a person to live more than one place over the course of their lifetime. Would you use: | ||
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Many local histories (''[[Norway Farm Books|bygdebøker]]'') published in Norway appear to include farm names as part of a person's name. This use is frequently misunderstood by persons who are not familiar with the literature and incorrectly assume it is the person's surname. | Many local histories (''[[Norway Farm Books|bygdebøker]]'') published in Norway appear to include farm names as part of a person's name. This use is frequently misunderstood by persons who are not familiar with the literature and incorrectly assume it is the person's surname. | ||
For example, this entry for Ljono farm from '' | For example, this entry for Ljono farm from ''{{FSC|471492|item|disp=Ulvik gards- og ættesoga}}''. Under the entries for Gjele, a smaller part of Ljono farm, ''Jon Asbjørnsson Håheim'' is identified<ref>Ulvik gards- og ættesoga, volume 2, page 140.</ref>. Here ''Håheim'' is used to indicate which farm more information about him can be found, and does not mean ''Håheim'' is part of his name. | ||
== Norwegian-American Name Changes == | == Norwegian-American Name Changes == | ||
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== Online Resources == | == Online Resources == | ||
*Knut Sprauten, ed. [https://www.nb.no/items/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2013092608008 Å kallast med sitt rette namn : person- og stadnamn i lokalhistoria]. Oslo, Norway : Norsk lokalhistorisk institutt, 2002. | *Knut Sprauten, ed. [https://www.nb.no/items/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2013092608008 Å kallast med sitt rette namn : person- og stadnamn i lokalhistoria]. Oslo, Norway : Norsk lokalhistorisk institutt, 2002. FS Library Book {{FSC|1112635|item|disp=948.1 D4sk 2002}}. | ||
*National Library of Norway, [https://www.nb.no/items/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2008120304033 Lov om personnavn : tradisjon, liberalisering og forenkling : utredning fra en arbeidsgruppe oppnevnt av Justis- og politidepartementet ved brev 22. april 1999 : avgitt 20. desember 2000] A report on the history of Norwegian name laws by the Norwegian Justice and Police Department. | *National Library of Norway, [https://www.nb.no/items/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2008120304033 Lov om personnavn : tradisjon, liberalisering og forenkling : utredning fra en arbeidsgruppe oppnevnt av Justis- og politidepartementet ved brev 22. april 1999 : avgitt 20. desember 2000] A report on the history of Norwegian name laws by the Norwegian Justice and Police Department. | ||
*Arvegods (blog) [http://arvegods.blogspot.com/2012/02/norwegian-names.html Norwegian Names] | *Arvegods (blog) [http://arvegods.blogspot.com/2012/02/norwegian-names.html Norwegian Names] | ||
*Solem, Børge. ''[http://www.norwayheritage.com/norwegian-names.htm Those Norwegian names, tips for the "online" researcher]''. Norway-Heritage: Hands Across The Sea. | |||
*''[https://www.arkivverket.no/en/find-your-ancestors/tracing-your-ancestry Start tracing your Norwegian ancestors.]'' Arkivverket.no | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Norway]] | [[Category:Norway]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Naming Customs]] | ||
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