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Understanding surnames and given names can help you find and identify ancestors in records. | Understanding surnames and given names can help you find and identify ancestors in records. | ||
=== Surnames === | === Surnames === | ||
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. | 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. | ||
John became John the smith, John the son of Matthew, John the short, or John from Breslau. At first “surnames” applied only to one person and not to the whole family. After a few generations, these names became hereditary and were used from father to son. | John became John the smith, John the son of Matthew, John the short, or John from Breslau. At first “surnames” applied only to one person and not to the whole family. After a few generations, these names became hereditary and were used from father to son. | ||
Polish surnames developed from four major sources: | Polish surnames developed from four major sources: | ||
* Occupational, based on the person’s trade, such as Kowalski (Smith) | *Occupational, based on the person’s trade, such as Kowalski (Smith) | ||
* Descriptive or Nickname, based on a unique quality of the person, such as Młody (Young) | *Descriptive or Nickname, based on a unique quality of the person, such as Młody (Young) | ||
* Geographical, based on a person’s residence, such as Podleski (Underwood) | *Geographical, based on a person’s residence, such as Podleski (Underwood) | ||
* Patronymic, based on a person’s father’s given name, such as Janowicz (son of Jan | *Patronymic, based on a person’s father’s given name, such as Janowicz (son of Jan) | ||
Surnames were first used by the nobility and wealthy landowners. Later the custom was followed by merchants and townspeople and eventually by the rural population. This process took two or three centuries. In Poland the practice was well established by the 1500s. It is not possible to determine the exact year or even the century when a particular family name was taken. | Surnames were first used by the nobility and wealthy landowners. Later the custom was followed by merchants and townspeople and eventually by the rural population. This process took two or three centuries. In Poland the practice was well established by the 1500s. It is not possible to determine the exact year or even the century when a particular family name was taken. | ||
'''Alias Surnames.''' In some areas of Poland people may have taken a second surname. In the records this may be preceded by the word alias, vulgo, vel, or genannt. This practice is rare and was done mainly because of property ownership. It can be found in certain parts of Silesia. | '''Alias Surnames.''' In some areas of Poland people may have taken a second surname. In the records this may be preceded by the word alias, vulgo, vel, or genannt. This practice is rare and was done mainly because of property ownership. It can be found in certain parts of Silesia. | ||
Jewish Naming Customs. Before 1808 the use of a family name by Jews was left to the discretion of the individual. Jews in Poland usually used only a given name and the name of their father, such as Isaac, son of Abraham. Most Jews did not adopt hereditary family names until required to do so by law. Jews in the Austrian territory of Galicia were required to adopt surnames in 1785. In 1808 Napoleon made a similar decree for all the Jews of his empire, including the Duchy of Warsaw. In 1844 Jews were again required to adopt surnames because of noncompliance. | Jewish Naming Customs. Before 1808 the use of a family name by Jews was left to the discretion of the individual. Jews in Poland usually used only a given name and the name of their father, such as Isaac, son of Abraham. Most Jews did not adopt hereditary family names until required to do so by law. Jews in the Austrian territory of Galicia were required to adopt surnames in 1785. In 1808 Napoleon made a similar decree for all the Jews of his empire, including the Duchy of Warsaw. In 1844 Jews were again required to adopt surnames because of noncompliance. | ||