In some countries and some time periods, last names were not fixed and did not pass directly from father (or mother) to children. Children might be given a last name that was based upon their father’s first name (a practice called patronymics). Heads of household may take a name that is associated with the farm they settle on.
Learn about how last names were created, used, and passed on in the area where your relative lived. It may cut down on some confusion.
10 Responses
Do you mean “their”?
Yes, I do. Thanks for catching that–it has now been fixed. The title was originally phrased entirely differently and I didn’t catch the error after I changed it.
This the first I’ve heard or rather seen this tidbit of information. I know in Scotland some names r made somewhat like that.
That’s why Scandinavians are called Johnson, Peterson, etc. They used patronyms.
They did that in Wales, too. I couldn’t figure out why John Phillips’ son was called Griffith John. I wonder how many areas followed this practice.
Our ancestors from Austria, historically, often were known by their trade. For instance, josef , son of the beekeeper, Josef, son of the herder. I don’ t remember off the top of my head what year or era these turned into a last name.
Used in Sweden – father’s first name john, son’s surname johnson -daughter’s surname johnsdatter
Czech Republic – father’s last name silar – son’s last name silar – daughter’s last name silarova
Pat Wade, as in all slavic language countries some surnames are gender specific, as in Poland a male with the family name Radomski, a daughter would have the surname Radomska.
Our Swedish relatives got their surname from a Great-great-grandfather who was a full time soldier. His “soldier name” was Bro. Turns out the croft that supported him was four farms with a garden with a bridge. “Brogarden” was the name of the place. “Garden bridge” is the English translation. We had been Gustafsson before Arvid Bro assumed his soldier name. If you look back on the Skaraborg Soldatregistret you would find other soldiers sponsored by the Brogarden croft that have some form of “Bro” in their soldier name.
That’s a good point. Sweden used military names and farm names as well. My children have one ancestor who had his patronym at birth, a military name during his military career, and the farm name of where he lived after he retired. Fortunately the church records are detailed enough that it was not difficult to figure out.