Canada Naming Customs: Difference between revisions

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'''Understanding customs used in surnames and given names can help you identify your ancestors in records.  Learn to recognize name variations and see clues in names.'''
|}
==Online Records==
*[https://forebears.io/surnames Forbears Surname Distribution]
*[https://britishsurnames.co.uk/ British Surnames]
*[https://www.ancestry.com/learn/facts Ancestry Surname Information]
*[https://lastnames.myheritage.com/last-names/ MyHeritage Last Name Directory]
==Naming Customs Articles==
Europeans followed the naming customs of their mother country. For more information, see:
*[[England Naming Customs]]
*[[France Naming Customs]]
*[[Germany Naming Customs]]
*[[Ireland Naming Customs]]
*[[Scotland Naming Customs]]
*"Naming Customs" articles are available for other countries also.


An understanding of surnames and given names can help you identify your ancestors in the records.  
== Surnames  ==
Canadians of European origin usually had surnames. American Indians and Eskimos often did not.  


=== Surnames  ===
=== Alias Surnames ("dit") ===
In French-speaking areas of Canada, individuals may have taken a second surname. In the records this may be preceded by "dit". This common practice was to distinguish between families with common surnames like ROY who were not related at all, or to distinguish between branches of the same family. Sometimes a branch of the family adopted the dit name as the family name, and dropped the original surname. For example, the surname AUDET dit LAPOINTE may be listed in these ways:
:AUDET
:AUDET dit LAPOINTE
:AUDET-LAPOINTE
:LAPOINTE


Canadians of European origin usually had surnames. American Indians and Eskimos often did not. In French Canada, married women usually kept their maiden name in official records. In English-speaking provinces, women usually took their husband’s surname. In all parts of Canada, children usually used the surname of the father.  
See [https://homepages.rootsweb.com/~afgs/index1.html Surnames French-Canadian:Variants, Dit, Anglicization] from the American-French Genealogical Society for a collection of name variations for French-Canadian genealogical researchers.


=== Alias Surnames  ===
===Surname Changes of Immigrants===
'''As Immigrants moved into English-speaking countries, their surnames were impacted in a variety of ways.'''
<br>


In French-speaking areas of Canada, individuals may have taken a second surname. In the records this may be preceded by dit. This common practice was to distinguish between families with common surnames like ROY who were not related at all, or to distinguish between branches of the same family. Sometimes a branch of the family adopted the dit name as the family name, and dropped the original surname. For example, the surname AUDET dit LAPOINTE may be listed in these ways:
*Most of the time the surname spelling changed to accommodate the '''different phonetic spelling in the English language'''. In other words, the recorder tried to write the name the way he heard it.
*Surnames may also have been translated outright into English, sometimes with a slight twist.  
*Within the community, such as the local parish, immigrants may continue to use the original name, while at the same time '''using English-language equivalents when dealing with local government, census takers, and other English speakers.'''
*Different branches of the same family may adopt various surname spellings.
*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.


AUDET
====Examples====
 
'''Spellings of surnames were not standardized until very recently.''' With their silent letters, French surnames especially lend themselves to a wide variety of spellings.  
AUDET dit LAPOINTE
*The name HUNAULT, for example, has been written more than a dozen different ways, all with the same or similar pronunciations, including:  
 
::*HUNAU, HUNAUT, HUNAUX, HUNO, HUNOS, HUNOT, UNO, and UNOT.  
AUDET-LAPOINTE
*In French Canada, phonetic spelling has changed names:  
 
:*The English name FARNSWORTH became PHANEUF.  
LAPOINTE
*The German name RISING became RAIZENNE.  
 
*When French Canadian families move to English-speaking areas, they may translate their names into English, or modify spelling:  
See [http://afgs.org/site/surname-variations/ Dit Names in Canada] for a collection of name variations for French-Canadian genealogical researchers.
::BOISVERT may become GREENWOOD.  
 
::ROY may become KING.  
Spelling Variations. Spellings of surnames were not standardized until very recently. With their silent letters, French surnames especially lend themselves to a wide variety of spellings.  
::LEBLANC may become WHITE.  
 
::AUCLAIR may become O’CLARE.  
The name HUNAULT, for example, has been written more than a dozen different ways, all with the same or similar pronunciations, including:  
*Recent immigrants from central Europe have often modified their names to sound more British:  
 
::KRYWOUCHKA has become KIRK.  
HUNAU, HUNAUT, HUNAUX, HUNO, HUNOS, HUNOT, UNO, and UNOT.  
::PETROWSKI has become PETERSON.
 
In French Canada, phonetic spelling has changed names:  
 
The English name FARNSWORTH became PHANEUF.  
 
The German name RISING became RAIZENNE.  
 
When French Canadian families move to English-speaking areas, they may translate their names into English, or modify spelling:  
 
BOISVERT may become GREENWOOD.  
 
ROY may become KING.  
 
LEBLANC may become WHITE.  
 
AUCLAIR may become O’CLARE.  
 
Recent immigrants from central Europe have often modified their names to sound more British:  
 
KRYWOUCHKA has become KIRK.  
 
PETROWSKI has become PETERSON.  


==For Further Reading==
Most French Canadian and many Acadian family names and their dit-name equivalents are listed in:  
Most French Canadian and many Acadian family names and their dit-name equivalents are listed in:  
*Jetté, Rene, and Micheline Lécuyer. Répertoire des noms de famille du Québec, des origines à 1825. (Inventory of Quebec Family Names from the Beginning to 1825.) Montréal: Institut Généalogique J.L. et Associés, Inc., 1988. (FS Library book {{FSC|392821|title-id|disp=971.4 D4j}}.)  {{WorldCat|22277750|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}
===FamilySearch Library===


Jetté, Rene, and Micheline Lécuyer. Répertoire des noms de famille du Québec, des origines à 1825. (Inventory of Quebec Family Names from the Beginning to 1825.) Montréal: Institut Généalogique J.L. et Associés, Inc., 1988. (Family History Library book {{FHL|392821|title-id|disp=971.4 D4j}}.)
*Additional sources are listed in the '''FamilySearch Catalog:'''
 
**{{FSC|320455|subject_id|disp= Canada - Names, Personal}}
A few other studies on Canadian family names are listed in the Locality Search of the FamilySearch Catalog under:
**{{FSC|1311806|subject_id|disp= Canada - Names, Personal - Dictionaries}}
 
**{{FSC|741389|subject_id|disp= Canada - Names, Personal - Indexes}}
CANADA - NAMES, PERSONAL [PROVINCE] - NAMES, PERSONAL
 
Additional location to find ''"dit" ''names is online at: [http://www.afgs.org/ditnames/index1.html http://afgs.org/site/surname-variations/]
 
{{Place|Canada}}  
{{Place|Canada}}  


[[fr:Canada Noms personnels]]
[[fr:Canada Noms personnels]]
[[Category:Canada]]
[[Category:Canada]]
[[Category:Names Surname]]
[[Category:Naming Customs]]

Latest revision as of 12:09, 20 March 2024


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Understanding customs used in surnames and given names can help you identify your ancestors in records. Learn to recognize name variations and see clues in names.

Online Records[edit | edit source]

Naming Customs Articles[edit | edit source]

Europeans followed the naming customs of their mother country. For more information, see:

Surnames[edit | edit source]

Canadians of European origin usually had surnames. American Indians and Eskimos often did not.

Alias Surnames ("dit")[edit | edit source]

In French-speaking areas of Canada, individuals may have taken a second surname. In the records this may be preceded by "dit". This common practice was to distinguish between families with common surnames like ROY who were not related at all, or to distinguish between branches of the same family. Sometimes a branch of the family adopted the dit name as the family name, and dropped the original surname. For example, the surname AUDET dit LAPOINTE may be listed in these ways:

AUDET
AUDET dit LAPOINTE
AUDET-LAPOINTE
LAPOINTE

See Surnames French-Canadian:Variants, Dit, Anglicization from the American-French Genealogical Society for a collection of name variations for French-Canadian genealogical researchers.

Surname Changes of Immigrants[edit | edit source]

As Immigrants moved into English-speaking countries, their surnames were impacted in a variety of ways.

  • Most of the time the surname spelling changed to accommodate the different phonetic spelling in the English language. In other words, the recorder tried to write the name the way he heard it.
  • Surnames may also have been translated outright into English, sometimes with a slight twist.
  • Within the community, such as the local parish, immigrants may continue to use the original name, while at the same time using English-language equivalents when dealing with local government, census takers, and other English speakers.
  • Different branches of the same family may adopt various surname spellings.
  • 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.

Examples[edit | edit source]

Spellings of surnames were not standardized until very recently. With their silent letters, French surnames especially lend themselves to a wide variety of spellings.

  • The name HUNAULT, for example, has been written more than a dozen different ways, all with the same or similar pronunciations, including:
  • HUNAU, HUNAUT, HUNAUX, HUNO, HUNOS, HUNOT, UNO, and UNOT.
  • In French Canada, phonetic spelling has changed names:
  • The English name FARNSWORTH became PHANEUF.
  • The German name RISING became RAIZENNE.
  • When French Canadian families move to English-speaking areas, they may translate their names into English, or modify spelling:
BOISVERT may become GREENWOOD.
ROY may become KING.
LEBLANC may become WHITE.
AUCLAIR may become O’CLARE.
  • Recent immigrants from central Europe have often modified their names to sound more British:
KRYWOUCHKA has become KIRK.
PETROWSKI has become PETERSON.

For Further Reading[edit | edit source]

Most French Canadian and many Acadian family names and their dit-name equivalents are listed in:

  • Jetté, Rene, and Micheline Lécuyer. Répertoire des noms de famille du Québec, des origines à 1825. (Inventory of Quebec Family Names from the Beginning to 1825.) Montréal: Institut Généalogique J.L. et Associés, Inc., 1988. (FS Library book 971.4 D4j.) At various libraries (WorldCat)

FamilySearch Library[edit | edit source]

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