Why Do Many Indonesians Only Go By One Name?

Question: Why Do Many Indonesians Only Go By One Name!?

Does this have any effect on genealogical research!? And on carrying on a "family name"!?

I posted this and didn't get many responses; I figured this section might have a better idea about this!. Thank you!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Most of the Malays I knew went by one name but would tack "bin" and their father's name onto it when they were in a situation - like school - where there were more than one persons with the same name!.

It plays hob with family research!. The Swedes did the same thing until the mid 1800's!. You might have four generations:

John Olafson (G-GF)
Lars Johnson (GF)
Paul Larson (Father)
John Paulson (son)Www@QuestionHome@Com

Well, until the last melennium most Europeans only had one name!. Most people had surnames in England by the end of the 14th century!. Some countries were later!.

In the Netherlands they took a surname during the reign of Napoleon!. They thought it would be temporary!. As a result a lot of funny Dutch being humorous gave themselves obnoxious and disgusting names!. Once the realized they would be permanent, I understand they had one heck of a time getting their names changed!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

i am indonesian!.!.!.!.!.
i think that there are no such family name in our cultures
the indonesian ussualy use a word or few words that have some meaning such as good purposes or to remember special occasion, sequence and etc!.!.!.!.
example:
Susilo, means someone who has a nice mannerWww@QuestionHome@Com