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*Most Latvian peasants received their surnames in 1826 (in Vidzeme), in 1835 (in Courland), and in 1866 (in Latgale). *Diminutives were the most common form of family names. Examples: Kalniņš/Kalniņa (small hill), Bērziņš/Bērziņa (small birch). | *Most Latvian peasants received their surnames in 1826 (in Vidzeme), in 1835 (in Courland), and in 1866 (in Latgale). *Diminutives were the most common form of family names. Examples: Kalniņš/Kalniņa (small hill), Bērziņš/Bērziņa (small birch). | ||
*During the times when Latvia was part of the Russian Empire and Soviet Union, in official usage Latvian names were commonly Russified. In particular, it followed the three-part pattern of Russian names: given name, patronymic, family name. Also, the masculine endings of first names were often truncated. For example, poet Imants Ziedonis was officially called Imant Yanovich Ziedonis (Имант Янович Зиедонис) <ref name="lat"/> | *During the times when Latvia was part of the Russian Empire and Soviet Union, in official usage Latvian names were commonly Russified. In particular, it followed the three-part pattern of Russian names: given name, patronymic, family name. Also, the masculine endings of first names were often truncated. For example, poet Imants Ziedonis was officially called Imant Yanovich Ziedonis (Имант Янович Зиедонис) <ref name="lat"/> | ||
===Surname Changes of Immigrants in the United States=== | |||
'''As Immigrants moved into English-speaking countries, their surnames were impacted in a variety of ways.''' | |||
<br> | |||
*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. | |||
==Given Names== | ==Given Names== | ||
*Latvia is among the European countries that celebrate name days (vārda dienas), a celebration almost comparable in importance to that of a birthday. | *Latvia is among the European countries that celebrate name days (vārda dienas), a celebration almost comparable in importance to that of a birthday. | ||