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Germany Naming Customs: Difference between revisions
→Surnames
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Surnames developed from four major sources: | Surnames developed from four major sources: | ||
Patronymic, based on a parent's name, such as Johann Petersohn (son of Peter). | |||
Occupational, based on the person's trade, such as Johann Weber (weaver). | |||
Descriptive or nickname, based on a unique quality of the person, such as Johann Langbein (long leg). | |||
Geographical, based on a person's residence, such as Johann Schlesier (a person from Schlesien). | |||
The nobility and wealthy land owners were the first to begin using surnames. Merchants and townspeople then adopted the custom, as did the rural population. This process took two or three centuries. In most of Germany, the practice of using surnames was well established by the 1500s. | The nobility and wealthy land owners were the first to begin using surnames. Merchants and townspeople then adopted the custom, as did the rural population. This process took two or three centuries. In most of Germany, the practice of using surnames was well established by the 1500s. | ||