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{{Germany-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb
{{CountrySidebar
|Country=Germany
|Name=Germany
|Type=Topic
|Topic Type=Background
|Background=Naming Customs
|Rating=Standardized
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| link1=[[Germany Genealogy|Germany]]
| link1=[[Germany Genealogy|Germany]]
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| link5=[[Germany Names, Personal|Personal Names]]
| link5=[[Germany Naming Customs|Naming Customs]]
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==Online Tools==
==Online Tools==
*[https://script.byu.edu/Plugins/FileManager/Files/Documents/List_of_Names_-_German.pdf '''List of Names in Old German Script'''] A comprehensive list of German given names,  written in old script, with possible variations.
*[https://script.byu.edu/00000184-9bb0-d9f7-af95-9bbc5e000001/german-name-examples '''List of Names in Old German Script'''] A comprehensive list of German given names,  written in old script, with possible variations.
*[https://script.byu.edu/Plugins/FileManager/Files/Documents/German-Familiennamen.pdf '''German Surnames'''] and [https://script.byu.edu/Plugins/FileManager/Files/Documents/German-Familiennamen.pdf '''German Given Names''']
*[https://script.byu.edu/german-handwriting/tools/names-general '''German Surnames'''] and [https://script.byu.edu/german-handwriting/tools/names-general '''German Given Names''']
::Sometimes, deciphering a surname or given name in an old handwritten document is not as easy as one might suppose. This could be due to the widespread use of abbreviations or to the difficulty in reading the handwriting. Use these lists of surname and given  names to assist you in interpreting the names mentioned in the documents.<ref>"Old French Records", at "BYU Script Tutorial", https://script.byu.edu/Pages/the-french-documents-pages/the-french-documents(english) accessed 15 February 2021.</ref>
::Sometimes, deciphering a surname or given name in an old handwritten document is not as easy as one might suppose. This could be due to the widespread use of abbreviations or to the difficulty in reading the handwriting. Use these lists of surname and given  names to assist you in interpreting the names mentioned in the documents.<ref>"Old French Records", at "BYU Script Tutorial", https://script.byu.edu/french-handwriting/introduction accessed 15 February 2021.</ref>
*[https://surnames.behindthename.com/names/usage/german '''Behind the Name: German Surnames''']
*[https://surnames.behindthename.com/names/usage/german '''Behind the Name: German Surnames''']
*[https://www.behindthename.com/names/usage/german '''Behind the Name: German Given Names''']
*[https://www.behindthename.com/names/usage/german '''Behind the Name: German Given Names''']
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*[http://geogen.stoepel.net/ '''Surname Distribution Tools for Germany'''], based on recent data presented on a 3-D map.
*[http://geogen.stoepel.net/ '''Surname Distribution Tools for Germany'''], based on recent data presented on a 3-D map.
*[http://www.talmud.de/cms/Juedische_Vornamen.70.0.html '''Jewish Given Names''']
*[http://www.talmud.de/cms/Juedische_Vornamen.70.0.html '''Jewish Given Names''']
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/103656 '''Słownik imion'''] (Second item on the film.) Dictionary of names, contains given names translated into 23 different European languages, including English.  Names are listed alphabetically by the Polish name, as the author is Polish. An index at the back gives the Polish form of each name. Use that name to find the 23 translations in the main list.
*{{FSC|103656|item|disp='''Słownik imion'''}} (Second item on the film.) Dictionary of names, contains given names translated into 23 different European languages, including English.  Names are listed alphabetically by the Polish name, as the author is Polish. An index at the back gives the Polish form of each name. Use that name to find the 23 translations in the main list.
*[https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~mstone/genealogy/dialectical.html '''Internal Dialectical Clues in German Surnames'''] is a more thorough listing of known dialect clues.<br>
*[https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~mstone/genealogy/dialectical.html '''Internal Dialectical Clues in German Surnames'''] is a more thorough listing of known dialect clues.<br>
Frisian names are used in Friesland in East and North Frisia in northwestern Germany.
Frisian names are used in Friesland in East and North Frisia in northwestern Germany.
*[https://surnames.behindthename.com/names/usage/frisian '''Behind the Name: Frisian Surnames''']
*[https://surnames.behindthename.com/names/usage/frisian '''Behind the Name: Frisian Surnames''']
*[https://www.behindthename.com/names/usage/frisian '''Behind the Name: Frisian Given Names''']
*[https://www.behindthename.com/names/usage/frisian '''Behind the Name: Frisian Given Names''']
 
*[https://www.familysearch.org/en/surname Surname experience] at FamilySearch - search by surname to learn its meaning and origin
== Surnames  ==
== Surnames  ==


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'''In some areas of Germany, individuals took a second surname from the name of a farm.'''. <br>
'''In some areas of Germany, individuals took a second surname from the name of a farm.'''. <br>


In many areas of Germany there is a widespread use of '''''"Hofnamen" or "farm names"''''' used.&nbsp; This is especially true for '''Westfalen (Westphalia) and Hannover and parts of Rheinland and Schlesien (Silesia)'''.  Terms such as '''''modo'', ''vulgo'', ''genannt'', and ''alias '''''indicate this naming practice. Some farm families, particularly in Westphalia, used the particle '''''"von" or "zu"''''' followed by their farm or former farm's name as a family name. Men often take on the wife's surname if moving onto her property. Some of the children born to the couple may have used his surname, while others in the same family used the wife's family name. Be aware that as people moved, this might change their surname, and it may revert back and forth within the same records.&nbsp; Extra care needs to be taken to make sure that the correct people are included in the family group and that no one is accidentally overlooked.&nbsp;  More about [http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ehrhard/Farm%20Names.htm Hofnamen] can be studied here.
In many areas of Germany there is a widespread use of '''''"Hofnamen" or "farm names"''''' used. This is especially true for '''Westfalen (Westphalia) and Hannover and parts of Rheinland and Schlesien (Silesia)'''.  Terms such as '''''modo'', ''vulgo'', ''genannt'', and ''alias '''''indicate this naming practice. Some farm families, particularly in Westphalia, used the particle '''''"von" or "zu"''''' followed by their farm or former farm's name as a family name. Men often take on the wife's surname if moving onto her property. Some of the children born to the couple may have used his surname, while others in the same family used the wife's family name. Be aware that as people moved, this might change their surname, and it may revert back and forth within the same records. Extra care needs to be taken to make sure that the correct people are included in the family group and that no one is accidentally overlooked.   More about [http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ehrhard/Farm%20Names.htm Hofnamen] can be studied here.
 
===Occupations===
 
Some records preface names with occupations, and the occupation may erroneously be indexed as a given name.  For example, Weber Ernst Friederich Zentner is a man named Ernst Friederich Zentner who is a weaver.


=== Grammatical Changes in German Surnames  ===
=== Grammatical Changes in German Surnames  ===
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*Prior to 1900, formal surname changes documented in local court records are relatively rare.  
*Prior to 1900, formal surname changes documented in local court records are relatively rare.  
*During the early 20th Century, especially the World War I era, surname changes are recorded more frequently, as immigrants or, more often, their children, tried to adopt more neutral surnames.
*During the early 20th Century, especially the World War I era, surname changes are recorded more frequently, as immigrants or, more often, their children, tried to adopt more neutral surnames.
===Surname Changes of German Immigrants in Hungary===
* Spelling of German surnames often changed to reflect '''different phonetic spelling in the Hungarian language''':  S would be written Sz and Z would be written Cz.


===Surnames Historical Development===
===Surnames Historical Development===
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*With '''the Reformation''', the Protestant territories started to frown on names of saints being given to their children. The trend was now to choose names from the Old and New Testaments. Preferred were Abraham, Rebekka, Esther, Lea, Salome.
*With '''the Reformation''', the Protestant territories started to frown on names of saints being given to their children. The trend was now to choose names from the Old and New Testaments. Preferred were Abraham, Rebekka, Esther, Lea, Salome.
*When baptized, children were often given '''two or more given names'''. Which name they actually went by can vary by location and time period. In many areas, however, it was common for the child to be called by the second name. For example, if the first two males born in a family were named Johann Christoph and Johann Friedrich, they were usually called Christoph and Friedrich.
*When baptized, children were often given '''two or more given names'''. Which name they actually went by can vary by location and time period. In many areas, however, it was common for the child to be called by the second name. For example, if the first two males born in a family were named Johann Christoph and Johann Friedrich, they were usually called Christoph and Friedrich.
*If an elder child died young, the parents frequently '''reused the deceased child's exact name''' on the next born child of the same gender. This can be a good guide in terms of your research, but it is not an absolute.'' Do not assume&nbsp;&nbsp;''the older child with&nbsp;the exact name died unless you find his/her death date.&nbsp;
*If an elder child died young, the parents frequently '''reused the deceased child's exact name''' on the next born child of the same gender. This can be a good guide in terms of your research, but it is not an absolute.'' Do not assume ''the older child with the exact name died unless you find his/her death date.  
*Some children received as many as four or more given names at baptism. Multiple given names were often the names of '''parents or other relatives'''. Many of these names were frequently dropped as the child matured. Thus, a person's '''later records do not always use the name he or she was given at birth.'''  
*Some children received as many as four or more given names at baptism. Multiple given names were often the names of '''parents or other relatives'''. Many of these names were frequently dropped as the child matured. Thus, a person's '''later records do not always use the name he or she was given at birth.'''  
===German Naming Pattern===
===German Naming Pattern===
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'''Gender and grammar can affect German name endings.'''
'''Gender and grammar can affect German name endings.'''
<br>
<br>
*Germans occasionally use "-chen" and "-lein" as diminutive endings meaning “little.” Gretchen could be translated little Greta (Margret). Use of the ending may result in vowel changes, such as "Hänschen", which is "little Hans".
*Germans occasionally use "-chen" and "-lein" as diminutive endings meaning “little.” Gretchen could be translated little Greta (Margret). Use of the ending may result in vowel changes, such as "Hänschen", which is "little Hans".  (Hans itself is a familiar variant of Johan.)
*The endings -s or -es show possession. Hermann Josefs Sohn would mean Joseph's son Hermann. Notice that there is no apostrophe.<ref>"German name", in Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_name, accessed 12 February 2021.</ref>  
*Germans may also use "-el" as a diminutive ending.  For example, Hansel and Gretel for Johan and Margret.
*The endings -s or -es show possession. Hermann Josefs Sohn would mean Joseph's son Hermann. Notice that there is no apostrophe.<ref>"German name", in Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_name, accessed 12 February 2021.</ref>


=== Given Names in Foreign Languages  ===
=== Given Names in Foreign Languages  ===
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The following '''online''' source contains given names translated into 23 different European languages, including English:  
The following '''online''' source contains given names translated into 23 different European languages, including English:  


*Janowowa, Wanda, et al. ''[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/103656 '''Słownik imion''' (Second item on the film.)] (Dictionary of names).'' Wrocław, Germany: Zakład Narodowy im Ossolińskich, 1975. (FS Library book Ref 940 D4si; film 1181578 item 2; fiche 6,000,839.) Names are listed alphabetically by the Polish name, as the author is Polish. An index at the back gives the Polish form of each name. Use that name to find the 23 translations in the main list.
*Janowowa, Wanda, et al. ''{{FSC|103656|item|disp='''Słownik imion''' (Second item on the film.)}} (Dictionary of names).'' Wrocław, Germany: Zakład Narodowy im Ossolińskich, 1975. (FS Library book Ref 940 D4si; film 1181578 item 2; fiche 6,000,839.) Names are listed alphabetically by the Polish name, as the author is Polish. An index at the back gives the Polish form of each name. Use that name to find the 23 translations in the main list.


=== "Nicknames", Variations on Given Names  ===
=== "Nicknames", Variations on Given Names  ===
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*For more details about German '''naming customs, spellings, grammatical endings, and variants:'''  
*For more details about German '''naming customs, spellings, grammatical endings, and variants:'''  
**Kenneth L. Smith's {{FSC|498963|item|disp=German Church Books : Beyond the Basics}} Camden, Maine : Picton Press, 1989. (943 D27skL.) {{WorldCat|560609906|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}
**Kenneth L. Smith's {{FSC|498963|item|disp=German Church Books : Beyond the Basics}} Camden, Maine : Picton Press, 1989. (943 D27skL.) {{WorldCat|560609906|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}
**Melchers, Paul &amp; Wasserzieher, Ernst.&nbsp; <u>'''''Hans Und Grete&nbsp;'''''</u>&nbsp;(2500 First names explained).&nbsp; Bonn, Germany: Ferd. Dümmlers Verlag, 1972.&nbsp; (FS Library book 943 D4w 1972) {{WorldCat|4802433|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}
**Melchers, Paul &amp; Wasserzieher, Ernst. <u>'''''Hans Und Grete '''''</u> (2500 First names explained). Bonn, Germany: Ferd. Dümmlers Verlag, 1972. (FS Library book 943 D4w 1972) {{WorldCat|4802433|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}
**Minert, Roger P. '''''Spelling Variations in German Names: Solving Family History Problems Through Applications of German and English Phonetics'''''. GRT Publications; Woods Cross, UT, 2000.&nbsp; (FS Library book 943 D47m) {{WorldCat|44623991|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}
**Minert, Roger P. '''''Spelling Variations in German Names: Solving Family History Problems Through Applications of German and English Phonetics'''''. GRT Publications; Woods Cross, UT, 2000. (FS Library book 943 D47m) {{WorldCat|44623991|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}


*There are also many books that discuss '''German names and their meanings. Some indicate the cities or regions where some surnames are most common or the earliest date and place the name was documented:'''
*There are also many books that discuss '''German names and their meanings. Some indicate the cities or regions where some surnames are most common or the earliest date and place the name was documented:'''
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*Part of a German's first name(s) could come from '''the "saint name"''' associated with the date on which he/she was christened. Two sources which could be used for checking this out are:  
*Part of a German's first name(s) could come from '''the "saint name"''' associated with the date on which he/she was christened. Two sources which could be used for checking this out are:  
**Weidenhan, Joseph L.&nbsp; <u>'''''Baptismal Names...'''''</u>&nbsp; Baltimore, Maryland:&nbsp; Kenmore Productions, 19--.&nbsp;&nbsp; Republished by&nbsp;Gale Research Company:&nbsp; Detroit, Michigan, 1968.&nbsp; (FS Library book 929.4 W426b)  {{WorldCat|6444472|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}
**Weidenhan, Joseph L. <u>'''''Baptismal Names...'''''</u> Baltimore, Maryland: Kenmore Productions, 19--.   Republished by Gale Research Company: Detroit, Michigan, 1968. (FS Library book 929.4 W426b)  {{WorldCat|6444472|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}
**Grotefend, H &amp; Ulrich, Th.&nbsp; <u> [https://archive.org/details/taschenbuchderze00grot '''''Taschenbuch der Zeitrechnung des Deutschen Mittelalters und der Neuzeit''''' (Online)] </u>&nbsp;Hannover, Germany: Verlag Hahnsche Buchhandlung,1971.&nbsp; (FS Library book 943 H3gh 1971) {{WorldCat|10400769|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}
**Grotefend, H &amp; Ulrich, Th. <u> [https://archive.org/details/taschenbuchderze00grot '''''Taschenbuch der Zeitrechnung des Deutschen Mittelalters und der Neuzeit''''' (Online)] </u> Hannover, Germany: Verlag Hahnsche Buchhandlung,1971. (FS Library book 943 H3gh 1971) {{WorldCat|10400769|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}


*More such books are listed in the '''FamilySearch Catalog:'''  
*More such books are listed in the '''FamilySearch Catalog:'''  
**{{FSC|360506|subject_id|disp= Germany - Names, Personal}}
**{{FSC|Germany - Names, Personal|subject|subject-id=279528516|disp= Germany - Names, Personal}}
**{{FSC|504484|subject_id|disp= Germany - Names, Personal - Dictionaries}}
**{{FSC|Germany - Names, Personal - Dictionaries|subject|subject-id=1094965813|disp= Germany - Names, Personal - Dictionaries}}
**{{FSC|836171|subject_id|disp= Germany - Names, Personal - Handbooks, manuals, etc.}}  
**{{FSC|Germany - Names, Personal - Handbooks, manuals, etc.|subject|subject-id=1694123491|disp= Germany - Names, Personal - Handbooks, manuals, etc.}}  
**{{FSC|581808|subject_id|disp= Germany - Names, Personal - Indexes}}  
**{{FSC|Germany - Names, Personal - Indexes|subject|subject-id=247751817|disp= Germany - Names, Personal - Indexes}}  
**{{FSC|1305080|subject_id|disp= Germany - Names, Personal - Maps}}
**{{FSC|Germany - Names, Personal - Maps|subject|subject-id=192495698|disp= Germany - Names, Personal - Maps}}
**{{FSC|124420|subject_id|disp= Germany - Names, Personal - Periodicals}}
**{{FSC|124420|subject_id|disp= Germany - Names, Personal - Periodicals}}


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{{Germany|Germany}}  
{{Germany|Germany}}  
[[fr:Allemagne : Noms et Surnoms]][[pt:Alemanha - Nomes Pessoais]]
[[fr:Allemagne : Noms et Surnoms]][[pt:Alemanha - Nomes Pessoais]]
[[Category:Germany]] [[Category:Personal Names]] [[Category:Personal Names]]
[[Category:Germany]] [[Category:Naming Customs]] [[Category:Naming Customs]]
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