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Understanding surnames and given names can help you find and identify your ancestors in the records. | Understanding surnames and given names can help you find and identify your ancestors in the records. | ||
== Surnames == | |||
Before record keeping began, most people had only one name, such as Giovanni (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). At first, surnames applied only to one person and not to the whole family. After a few generations, these names were passed from father to child. | Before record keeping began, most people had only one name, such as Giovanni (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). At first, surnames applied only to one person and not to the whole family. After a few generations, these names were passed from father to child. | ||
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Surnames developed from four major sources: | Surnames developed from four major sources: | ||
=== Patronymic === These surnames are based on a parent’s name, such as Giovanni d’Alberto (John son of Albert). | |||
=== Occupational === These surnames are based on the person’s trade, such as Pietro Contadino (Peter Farmer). | |||
=== Descriptive or Nickname === These surnames are based on a unique quality of the person, such as Andrea Amabile (Andrew Amiable). | |||
=== Geographical === These surnames are based on a person’s residence, such as Maria Pugliese (Mary from Puglia). | |||
== Surnames - nobility and wealthy land owners == | |||
Surnames were first used by the nobility and wealthy land owners. Later they were used by merchants and townspeople and eventually by the rural population. This process took between two and three centuries. In Italy the practice was mostly established by the 1400s. | Surnames were first used by the nobility and wealthy land owners. Later they were used by merchants and townspeople and eventually by the rural population. This process took between two and three centuries. In Italy the practice was mostly established by the 1400s. | ||
== Women’s Surnames == Women are referred to by their maiden name in most documents. | |||
== 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. | |||
== Grammatical Effects on Italian Names == | |||
With a few exceptions, names in Italy follow the same pattern as the rest of the language: masculine names end in o, and feminine names in a. | With a few exceptions, names in Italy follow the same pattern as the rest of the language: masculine names end in o, and feminine names in a. | ||
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Janowowa, Wanda, et al. ''Sownik Imion (Dictionary of Names).'' Wroclaw: Ossoliski, 1975. (FHL book EUROPE REF 940 D4si; film 1181578 item 2; fiche 6000839.) | Janowowa, Wanda, et al. ''Sownik Imion (Dictionary of Names).'' Wroclaw: Ossoliski, 1975. (FHL book EUROPE REF 940 D4si; film 1181578 item 2; fiche 6000839.) | ||
== Given Names == | |||
Italian given names are often derived from Biblical names, such as Giuseppe (Joseph) or from the names of a saint, such as Francesco (Francis). | Italian given names are often derived from Biblical names, such as Giuseppe (Joseph) or from the names of a saint, such as Francesco (Francis). | ||
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Fucilla, Joseph G. ''Our Italian Surnames''. Evanston, Illinois: Chandler’s, Inc., 1949. (FHL book EUROPE 945 D4f.) | Fucilla, Joseph G. ''Our Italian Surnames''. Evanston, Illinois: Chandler’s, Inc., 1949. (FHL book EUROPE 945 D4f.) | ||
== Web Sites == | |||
Italian Surnames: | Italian Surnames: | ||