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→Surnames Historical Development
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*Before record keeping began, most people had only one name, such as Jonas. | *Before record keeping began, most people had only one name, such as Jonas. | ||
*As the population increased, it became necessary to distinguish between individuals with the same name. The problem was usually solved by adding descriptive information. Jonas became Jonas the | *As the population increased, it became necessary to distinguish between individuals with the same name. The problem was usually solved by adding descriptive information. Jonas became Jonas the blacksmith (Kalvis), Jonas the son of Vasil (Vasiliauskas) Jonas the tall (Aukščionis), or Jonas from Vilnius (Vilniškis). | ||
*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. | *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: | *Surnames developed from several sources. For example: | ||
**'''Occupational''' (based on a person’s trade, such as | **'''Occupational''' (based on a person’s trade, such as Kalvis (blacksmith)) | ||
**'''Geographical''' (based on a person’s residence, such as | **'''Geographical''' (based on a person’s residence, such as Kaunaitis) | ||
**'''Patronymic''' (based on a person’s father’s name, such as | **'''Patronymic''' (based on a person’s father’s name, such as the son of Simon (Šimonis)) | ||
**'''Descriptive''' or '''nickname''' (such as Joy | **'''Descriptive''' or '''nickname''' (such as Džiaugys (Joy)) | ||
*The '''nobility and wealthy land owners''' were the first to begin using surnames. | *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. | *'''Merchants and townspeople''' then adopted the custom, as did the '''rural population'''. This process took two or three centuries. | ||
To read more about the history of surnames, see the article [https://www.lituanus.org/1982_3/82_3_01.htm Lithuanian Names]. | |||
===Surname Changes of Immigrants in the United States=== | ===Surname Changes of Immigrants in the United States=== | ||
'''As immigrants moved into English-speaking countries, their surnames were impacted in a variety of ways. Immigrants often changed their surnames to sound more American. Contrary to popular belief, this change was not made at Ellis Island.''' | '''As immigrants moved into English-speaking countries, their surnames were impacted in a variety of ways. Immigrants often changed their surnames to sound more American. Contrary to popular belief, this change was not made at Ellis Island.''' | ||