TODAY'S TOP Names and Meanings Resources
I hope that this summary of free family tree templates online was useful in your search for your family history.
Everyone has a name, but most people have only a vague idea of the meaning of your name. The study of names is really quite fascinating and involves history, linguistics, anthropology, geology, sociology, philology for starters.
In every culture, you will find personal identifying names. Names often pass from one culture to another and as the name is passed down from generation to generation often the meaning can evolve as well. We find Native American place names in the United States, and American family names are of many linguistic origins. The New Columbia Encyclopedia states that “the use of personal names apparently began at a very early stage in man’s history, with single names of persons coming into use earlier than double ones In the Bible, double names are mainly confined to those who have common forenames.” So, we find Judas Barsabas and Mary Magdalen.
The New Columbia Encyclopedia explains that “Anglo-Saxon names and Scandinavian names were generally formed of two common words.” For example, the name Hrothgar (Roger) meaning “fame-spear.”
English surnames developed in the late Middle Ages and have a variety of origins Many are “patronymics” such as Anderson (Ander’s son), Jefferson, and Harrison. Others come from places such as Lincoln, Garfield, Cleveland. Others from the trades such as Baker and Taylor, or from personal traits such as Stout or Small. The Celtic Mac, meaning “son,” and ua, meaning grandson were attached to clan names as Mac, Mc, M’ and O’. The O’ was not used in Scotland. According to the New Columbia Encyclopedia, the Welsh, in translating their patronymic (ap=son of) settled on English forms ending in s, resulting in names such as Davis (from David) and Jones (from John).
French de, when written separately, and the German von, would mark a noble name. Spanish names vary in different countries. One common usage gives a surname combining those of each parent. So, Serrano Y Dominguez would have a father named Serrano and a mother named Dominguez.
Those from the Roman republic had three names: the forename (there were fewer than 20), the tribal name, and then the family name. So, Caius Julius Caesar would be Caius of the Ceasar family from the Julius tribe. There may have been an additional name added like a nickname or honor. In Russia, the middle name would be the father’s forename with a patronymic suffix, such as Nikolayevich.
The New Columbia Encyclopedia tells us that in many cultures, the name has supernatural significance such as naming children after lucky men or wily animals. There are widespread taboo practices such as not naming children after living relatives or changing the name on the death of a namesake or avoiding the name of a family totem. In some cultures the name given the child at birth is temporary and is replaced with another at puberty. A woman loses her family name and adopts that of her husband in many Western cultures. In the Judeo-Christian tradition the name has great significance, especially in the case of divine names; biblical or saint names being very common. The practice of changing names by court action is commonly adopted in order to afford a clear record.
The following references will help you in your research of the meaning of your name.:
The New Columbia Encyclopedia, Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names, Dictionary of American Family Names and Personal Names: A Bibliography, The Story of Surnames, and History of Christian Names