Today, almost everyone has a surname, but this was not always the case.For thousand of years first names were the only designations that men and women bore. Surnames were
introduced at different times, in different cultures. The introduction of surnames began:
- In Italy ~ in 8. / 9. Century;
- In England ~ in 10. Century;
- In Germany ~ in 12. Century.
At this time only those of a high social status used surnames, who felt the need to use an additional name (surname), so they could be distinguished from another who had the same Christian name. The centuries
passed, the population, the towns and villages grew and it soon became clear that everyone would need to have a surname. There are four general classes of surnames according to their origin:
- Surnames derived from the place of residence of the first bearer
The surnames adopted by the nobility were chiefly of this type, being used with the particles “de”, “de la” / “del” or “von” (meaning “of” or “of the”) . For example: Piron Sacris de Julemont
- Surnames derived from the given name of their father
At first it was simple told: son or daughter (of) + name of the father. For example: fille Sacris
(fille = daughter) in France. In England and Sweden (name of the father) + son / s or daughter. Son of Sakris = Sakrisson.
(But perhaps the son of William Sakrisson might have been called Williamson or Williams - so it’s very difficult to make a family tree from this old names!). In Slavic countries ”ski”
or ”vic” played the same role (also by names derived from the occupation of the bearer!).
- Surnames derived from the occupation of the first bearer
Surnames were also derived from the occupation of the first bearer.
- Surnames derived from some bodily or personal characteristic of the first bearer
Another class of surnames, those arising from some bodily or personal characteristic of their first bearer, apparently grew out of what were in the first instance nicknames. (Many
European kings had such names: William the Conquerer). Often the nicknames were the only way of legally identifying by the “commoners”. |
