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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 Juan. As the population increased, it became necessary to distinguish between individuals with the same name. The problem was usually solved by adding descriptive information. Until the 10th century, common people did not use a surname. The Council of Trent (1545 to 1563) made it mandatory to keep parish records that would list names of the child, parents, and godparents. | Before record keeping began, most people had only one name, such as Juan. As the population increased, it became necessary to distinguish between individuals with the same name. The problem was usually solved by adding descriptive information. Until the 10th century, common people did not use a surname. The Council of Trent (1545 to 1563) made it mandatory to keep parish records that would list names of the child, parents, and godparents. | ||
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Spanish priests would often assign Indian family names as surnames. Some Indian surnames have been translated, such as Dzul to Caballero (gentleman), and Dzib to Escribano (scribe). | Spanish priests would often assign Indian family names as surnames. Some Indian surnames have been translated, such as Dzul to Caballero (gentleman), and Dzib to Escribano (scribe). | ||
=== Double and Compound Surnames === | |||
Another distinctive practice of the Spanish naming system was the double and compound surnames; a person would be known by his paternal and maternal surnames. Compound surnames (apellidos compuestos) can be found with or without a y, a dash (-) or a preposition (de, del, de la). Examples are: María García Fernández de León and José Juan Ríos-Prado y Rodríguez. While most present-day names are taken from the parents’ surnames, historically the surnames might be those of the more prominent family and even those from grandparents. | Another distinctive practice of the Spanish naming system was the double and compound surnames; a person would be known by his paternal and maternal surnames. Compound surnames (apellidos compuestos) can be found with or without a y, a dash (-) or a preposition (de, del, de la). Examples are: María García Fernández de León and José Juan Ríos-Prado y Rodríguez. While most present-day names are taken from the parents’ surnames, historically the surnames might be those of the more prominent family and even those from grandparents. | ||
=== Women and their Husband's Surname === | |||
Historically, before the last 150 years, women did not take their husbands’ surname. Now a woman who married a Martínez would attach the married surname (apellido de casada) de Martínez to her first single (paternal) surname (apellido de soltera). And when she was widowed she would become Viuda de Martínez (widow). The abbreviation for viuda is vda. Thus a complete name of a single woman named María Josefa Torres Sepúlveda would become María Josefa Torres de Martínez once she married. | Historically, before the last 150 years, women did not take their husbands’ surname. Now a woman who married a Martínez would attach the married surname (apellido de casada) de Martínez to her first single (paternal) surname (apellido de soltera). And when she was widowed she would become Viuda de Martínez (widow). The abbreviation for viuda is vda. Thus a complete name of a single woman named María Josefa Torres Sepúlveda would become María Josefa Torres de Martínez once she married. | ||
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*The [http://www.cyndislist.com/hispanic.htm#Queries "Queries, Message Boards & Surname Lists" section] of the "Hispanic, Central & South America, & the West Indies" page within Cyndi's List | *The [http://www.cyndislist.com/hispanic.htm#Queries "Queries, Message Boards & Surname Lists" section] of the "Hispanic, Central & South America, & the West Indies" page within Cyndi's List | ||
== Given Names == | |||
In Mexico many given names are usually derived from Biblical names such as José (Joseph, husband of Mary), saints such as Roque (Roch), or Old German given names such as Sigfrido. Some Spanish people used compound given names (nombres compuestos) such as María del Socorro. | In Mexico many given names are usually derived from Biblical names such as José (Joseph, husband of Mary), saints such as Roque (Roch), or Old German given names such as Sigfrido. Some Spanish people used compound given names (nombres compuestos) such as María del Socorro. | ||
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