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== Surnames == | == Surnames == | ||
===Patronymics=== | |||
One of the oldest and most widespread expressions of paternity used in Italy is characterized by the preposition di (of), entered between two given names; for example, Pietro di Giovanni (Peter the son of John). With each new generation, the combination of names increased; hence Pietro's son Leonardo would be known as Leonardo di Pietro di Giovanni. | |||
A large segment of Italian names today contain the preposition di between the given name and surname: di Paolo, d'Alberto. Sometimes the records also contain individuals' names, the names of the father, and even the grandfather inserted between the given name and surname: Francesco di Giovanni d'Angelo is actually Francesco d'Angelo (the son of Giovanni). <ref>"Italian Surnames", in BYU Script Tutorial, https://script.byu.edu/Pages/the-italian-documents/it-italian-surnames(english), accessed 19 February 2021.</ref> | |||
===Matronymics=== | |||
You will encounter a relatively small proportion of matronymic surnames (names which are derived from the name of the mother or a matriarchal ancestor). Children occasionally took the surname of a mother who was not married to the father, a mother with whom they identified more comfortably because of long absences of the father in military service or employment, or a mother who was widowed. <ref>"Italian Surnames", in BYU Script Tutorial, https://script.byu.edu/Pages/the-italian-documents/it-italian-surnames(english), accessed 19 February 2021.</ref> | |||
=== Women’s Surnames === | |||
Women are referred to by their maiden name in most documents, even after marriage. | |||
=== Alias Surnames === | |||
In some areas of Italy, individuals may have taken a second surname. In records this second surname may be preceded by the word '''"detto, vulgo, or dit"'''. This practice was used to distinguish between different branches of the same family, especially when the families remained in the same town for generations. | |||
=== Surnames for Abandoned Children === | |||
Abandoned infants had surnames assigned to them by the foundling homes where they were abandoned and often a new surname may be assigned to the infant when placed with a wet nurse in a foster family. For more on this, see the article [[Italian_Infant_Abandonment|Italian Infant Abandonment]]. | |||
===Surnames Historical Development=== | ===Surnames Historical Development=== | ||
*Before record keeping began, most people had only one name, such as John. | *Before record keeping began, most people had only one name, such as John. | ||
*As the population increased, it became necessary to distinguish between individuals with the same name. The problem was usually solved by adding descriptive information. Giovanni became Giovanni Fabro (John the smith), Giovanni di Matteo (John son of Matthew), Giovanni Basso (John the short), or Giovanni di Napoli (John from Napoli). | *As the population increased, it became necessary to distinguish between individuals with the same name. The problem was usually solved by adding descriptive information. Giovanni became Giovanni Fabro (John the smith), Giovanni di Matteo (John son of Matthew), Giovanni Basso (John the short), or Giovanni di Napoli (John from Napoli). | ||
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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. | ||
== Given Names == | == Given Names == | ||