Sweden Soldier Names: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 10:25, 11 February 2011

When a man entered into military service in Sweden, it was often the case that he would take on a new surname. This was necessary to avoid the confusion of having multiple men serving together by the exact same name. For example, how would 5 men all named Olof Olofsson know when their name was called?

Often these "soldier names" were reflective of military life such as: Modig (courageous), Tapper (brave), Frimodig (fearless, frank), and Stark (strong). Sometimes, references were made to weaponry such as: Svärd (sword), Skjöld (shield), Spjut (spear), and Lans (lance).

In other cases you will find the soldier name is associated to the name of the soldier farm. The soldier would use the name of the soldier farm as his last name for the duration of his service at that farm. When he was discharged, he would move off the soldier farm. In many cases they kept using the soldier name. Then when a new recruit took over the soldier farm, the cycle would begin again. You cannot assume that there is a relationship between two men who share the same soldier surname.

Sometimes the soldier surname can be a reference to where a soldier came from. For example, the surname Ekberg may be a variation on a place name where the soldier is from, such as “Ekeby”.

Children of a soldier had the option of taking their father’s military surname or not. Many chose to use their patronymic surname, based upon their father’s given name instead. For example, the children of soldier Anders Ljungström may have used either the Ljungström surname or chosen instead to be known as Andersson or Andersdotter.

Here are some examples of common Swedish soldier surnames:

Ahlström	Kock	Sedig
Back	Lidberg	Sundqvist
Blixt	Ljungqvist	Svärd
Dahl	Lång	Trana
Eld	Malmsten	Tjäder
Fogel	Möller	Uggla
Grahn	Norberg	Valbom
Hasselstrand	Orm	Ål
Häger	Påhlman	Älg
Högström	Rask	Öman

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-When a man entered into military service in Sweden, it was often the case that he would acquire a new surname. This practice was necessary to avoid the confusion of having multiple soldiers with the same given and patronymic surnames. For example, how would 5 men all named '''Olof OLofsson''' know when their name was called?<br>
+When a man entered into military service in Sweden, it was often the case that he would take on a new surname. This was necessary to avoid the confusion of having multiple men serving together by the exact same name. For example, how would 5 men all named '''Olof Olofsson''' know when their name was called?<br>
-To avoid this confusion new soldiers were assigned a new surname. These surnames often were references to aspects of military life, such as Modig (''courageous''), Tapper (''brave''), Frimodig (''fearless, frank''), and Stark (''strong''). Sometimes, references were made to weaponry. Examples of this practice are Svärd (''sword''), Skjöld (''shield''), Spjut (''spear''), and Lans (''lance''). <br>
+Often these "soldier names" were reflective of military life such as: Modig (''courageous''), Tapper (''brave''), Frimodig (''fearless, frank''), and Stark (''strong''). Sometimes, references were made to weaponry such as: Svärd (''sword''), Skjöld (''shield''), Spjut (''spear''), and Lans (''lance''). <br>
-Certain military surnames were assigned to the soldier residence found in nearly every parish. As the new recruit took over for his predecessor, the recruit often assumed the surname assigned to that particular soldier residence. You cannot assume that there is a relationship between two men who share the same soldier surname. Rarely, is there a family connection between two soldiers with similar surnames. <br>
+In other cases you will find the soldier name is associated to the name of the soldier farm. The soldier would use the name of the soldier farm as his last name for the duration of his service at that farm. When he was discharged, he would move off the soldier farm. In many cases they kept using the soldier name. Then when a new recruit took over the soldier farm, the cycle would begin again. You cannot assume that there is a relationship between two men who share the same soldier surname.&nbsp;<br>
-Soldier surnames can indicate a reference to the locale from where a soldier may have come. For example, the surname Ekberg may indicate that the soldier is from a place called “Ekeby”. <br>
+Sometimes the soldier surname can be a reference to where a soldier came from. For example, the surname Ekberg may be a variation on a place name where the soldier is from, such as “Ekeby”. <br>
-Children of a soldier father had the option of taking their father’s military surname as their personal surname or instead, may have decided to take their correct patronymical surname, based upon their father’s given name. For example, the children of soldier '''Anders Ljungström&nbsp;'''may have used either the '''Ljungström&nbsp;'''surname or chosen instead to be known as '''Andersson '''or'''Andersdotter'''.<br>
+Children of a soldier had the option of taking their father’s military surname or not. Many chose to use their patronymic surname, based upon their father’s given name instead. For example, the children of soldier '''Anders Ljungström&nbsp;'''may have used either the '''Ljungström&nbsp;'''surname or chosen instead to be known as '''Andersson '''or&nbsp;'''Andersdotter'''.<br>
 Here are some examples of common Swedish soldier surnames:
@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 |-
 | Ahlström
 | Kock
 | Sedig
 |-
 | Back
 | Lidberg
 | Sundqvist
 |-
 | Blixt
 | Ljungqvist
 | Svärd
 |-
 | Dahl
 | Lång
 | Trana
 |-
 | Eld
 | Malmsten
 | Tjäder
 |-
 | Fogel
 | Möller
 | Uggla
 |-
-|  Grahn
+| Grahn
 | Norberg
 | Valbom
 |-
-|  Hasselstrand
+| Hasselstrand
 | Orm
 | Ål
 |-
-|  Häger
+| Häger
 | Påhlman
 | Älg
 |-
 | Högström
 | Rask
 | Öman
 |}
 [[Category:Swedish_Military_History]]