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== Surnames == | == Surnames == | ||
===Surnames Historical Development=== | |||
Before | *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 Heidelberg. | |||
Surnames | *At first surnames applied only to one person, not to the whole family. After a few generations, these names became hereditary and were passed on from generation to generation. | ||
*Surnames developed from several sources. For example: | |||
* | **'''Occupational''' (based on a person’s trade, such as Carter or Smith) | ||
* | **'''Geographical''' (based on a person’s residence, such as Drayton or Debenham) | ||
* | **'''Patronymic''' (based on a person’s father’s name, such as Jones, son of John) | ||
* | **'''Descriptive''' or '''nickname''' (such as Joy or Child) | ||
*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. | |||
Since 1539 the law that required priests to write baptism registers also required them to write the surname next to the baptismal name. In the 1700s researchers often find a name written various ways in the same document. But by 1808, especially in civil registration, the spelling of surnames became fixed. | Since 1539 the law that required priests to write baptism registers also required them to write the surname next to the baptismal name. In the 1700s researchers often find a name written various ways in the same document. But by 1808, especially in civil registration, the spelling of surnames became fixed. | ||
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Given names are translated into 23 different European languages, including English, in this book— | Given names are translated into 23 different European languages, including English, in this book— | ||
Janowowa, Wanda, et al. ''Sownik Imion (Dictionary of Names)''. Wroclaw, Germany: Ossoliski, 1975. (FHL book 940 D4si; film 1,181,578 item 2; fiche 6000839.) | Janowowa, Wanda, et al. ''Sownik Imion (Dictionary of Names)''. Wroclaw, Germany: Ossoliski, 1975. (FHL book 940 D4si; film 1,181,578 item 2; fiche 6000839.) | ||
== Given Names == | == Given Names == | ||