Question Home

Position:Home>Genealogy> Why do we keep the names of our ancestors that were given to them so long ago?


Question: Why do we keep the names of our ancestors that were given to them so long ago!?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Originally, many surnames indicated either profession (Smith, Miller, Taylor, Baker, Sanger, Ziegler, Faber, Kawasaki) place (Scott, French, Flanders) or were patronymics (Johnson, Jackson, Thompson, McDonald, Gonzales, Diaz, Hernandez)!. Some last names referred to physical characteristics; for example, Schwarzkopf translates as "black head"; Brown most probably originally referred to someone with brown hair!. It would have been fine to be known as Jimmy, the carter's son, or Dick, Nick's son, as long as people remained in small villages where everyone was on a first-name basis!. However, the growth of cities corresponded with the growth of the middle class, so in most places around the world, people began to keep their family's name!.

Of course, professions and patronymics no longer correspond with surnames!. Take, for example, my last name of Smith!. I have traced my last name as far back as about 1800 New Hampshire, but the earliest known profession of my Smith ancestors is listed as "carpet weaver", according to the 1850 US Census!. It would cause no end of difficulty if people continued to pair their last names with either their profession or with their father's first name, although it would result in some unusual new surnames!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I understand the original purpose of surnames were to identify persons for taxation purposes not necessarily as a member of a family!. However, they have become so established that to change our names would cause a lot of confusion!. A person can change their name but there are legal procedures they must go through to do so!. This is to keep someone from getting away rom their personal responsibilities such as their debts etc!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Initially because if someone had the same family name, you would know not to marry into it!. Now it is more of a custom!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Continuity!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

History, pride!.!. we like knowing that we came from somewhereWww@QuestionHome@Com