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'''Understanding customs used in Welsh names can help you identify your ancestors in records. Learn to recognize name variations and see clues in names.''' | |||
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==Surnames== | |||
Before record keeping began, most people only had a first name. As the population increased, people began adding descriptive information, such as John "the smith," to a person’s name to distinguish him or her from others with the same name. At first, a surname applied only to one person and not to the whole family. | Before record keeping began, most people only had a first name. As the population increased, people began adding descriptive information, such as John "the smith," to a person’s name to distinguish him or her from others with the same name. At first, a surname applied only to one person and not to the whole family. | ||
== Patronymic Names == | === Patronymic Names == | ||
Patronymic surnames are based on the father’s given name. Generally, '''ap''' or '''ab''' was added between the child’s name and the father’s name. For example, David ab Owen is David "son of" Owen. For a woman’s name, the word '''ferch''' or '''verch''' (often abbreviated to '''vch'''), meaning "daughter of", was used. There were many exceptions to this: | Patronymic surnames are based on the father’s given name. Generally, '''ap''' or '''ab''' was added between the child’s name and the father’s name. For example, David ab Owen is David "son of" Owen. For a woman’s name, the word '''ferch''' or '''verch''' (often abbreviated to '''vch'''), meaning "daughter of", was used. There were many exceptions to this: | ||
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== Other Types of Surnames == | === Other Types of Surnames === | ||
Surnames also developed from the following sources: | Surnames also developed from the following sources: | ||
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'''Occupational.''' Other surnames are based on the person’s trade, such as Wil Saer (or Wil y Saer), meaning 'Will the carpenter'. Occupational names are sometimes modified. For example, 'Saer' could take the permanent form of '''Sayer'''. | '''Occupational.''' Other surnames are based on the person’s trade, such as Wil Saer (or Wil y Saer), meaning 'Will the carpenter'. Occupational names are sometimes modified. For example, 'Saer' could take the permanent form of '''Sayer'''. | ||
== Adopting a Surname == | === Adopting a Surname === | ||
Some families adopted permanent surnames much earlier than others. Generally, families lower on the social scale used the patronymic system longer than those higher up the social scale. Patronymics lingered the longest in the north and central-western counties. Most noble families adopted surnames by the sixteenth century. The gentry adopted them during the eighteenth century, while some farmers, tenant farmers, and workers did not take surnames until the nineteenth century or later. Generally, the patronymic naming pattern and the various naming customs were coming to an end by 1837, but later usage occurs and there has been a modern revival of the practice. | Some families adopted permanent surnames much earlier than others. Generally, families lower on the social scale used the patronymic system longer than those higher up the social scale. Patronymics lingered the longest in the north and central-western counties. Most noble families adopted surnames by the sixteenth century. The gentry adopted them during the eighteenth century, while some farmers, tenant farmers, and workers did not take surnames until the nineteenth century or later. Generally, the patronymic naming pattern and the various naming customs were coming to an end by 1837, but later usage occurs and there has been a modern revival of the practice. | ||
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[[Image:Patronymics illustration.jpg|center|Patronymics illustration.jpg]] | [[Image:Patronymics illustration.jpg|center|Patronymics illustration.jpg]] | ||
== Solving common name problems == | == Solving common name problems == | ||
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Be sure to analyse and evaluate carefully each record. You may have to view a record several times to gather all pertinent information for a person or family. | Be sure to analyse and evaluate carefully each record. You may have to view a record several times to gather all pertinent information for a person or family. | ||
== For | == For Further Reading== | ||
*Morgan, T. J., and Prys Morgan, ''Welsh Surnames''. Cardiff, Wales: University of Wales Press, 1985. (Family History Library {{FHL|55852|title-id|disp=book 942.9 D4m}}.) | *Morgan, T. J., and Prys Morgan, ''Welsh Surnames''. Cardiff, Wales: University of Wales Press, 1985. (Family History Library {{FHL|55852|title-id|disp=book 942.9 D4m}}.) | ||
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*"Welsh First Names for Children: Their Meanings Explained''. Cardiff, Wales: Emeralda, 1978. (Family History Library {{FHL|600408|title-id|disp=book 942.9 D4w}}.) ''<ref>The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ''Research Outline: Wales'' (Salt Lake City: Corporation of the President, 2000), 53-54.</ref> | *"Welsh First Names for Children: Their Meanings Explained''. Cardiff, Wales: Emeralda, 1978. (Family History Library {{FHL|600408|title-id|disp=book 942.9 D4w}}.) ''<ref>The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ''Research Outline: Wales'' (Salt Lake City: Corporation of the President, 2000), 53-54.</ref> | ||
== Websites == | == Websites == | ||