Origins of Surnames
In today’s society we all want to know who we are and where our names originated from. Our names are what give each of us our own style and individuality, the importance of style and individuality can be related back to our original surnames. Our surnames have come from all areas of the world, each with specific meanings to our family. Surnames or last names have an important meaning to all of us, they give us identity through our family’s history. Looking back into history our names have changed drastically, keeping some people from knowing how their surnames really originated. Surnames originated early in history and did so for many reasons.
The first knowledge of surnames was in the biblical times, they used names that went by geography, for example “ Corey of Carlisle.” The actual use of surnames originated in Europe, and in some Scandinavian areas, in the eleventh and fifteenth century by small villages. The reason that no surnames were used before this time was the fact that most people were illiterate, living in small villages in a country atmosphere. Living out in the country these people had no reason to learn to read or write, because their lives were lived off the land. They did not need surnames to signify who they we’re or what they did. In these small villages they went by their first names, people all had different first names, so they did not need surnames to tell people apart. But when the population of the villages grew, it became important to have surnames to identify two people with the same name. The use of surnames showed social class, culture, tradition and, the jobs they worked.
The forming of surnames first came from other names by which someone was called. The name “Johnson” originated from “the son of John,” and the same goes with my last name “Richardson.” In some countries they would use their mothers first name for a surname, such as “Paige.” Jimmy Paige, from the band Led Zeppelin, could say his surname originated this way. Other origins of surnames came from places and geographical names. The surname “England” or “Penn” show this quality. Obviously England is a country and Penn is shortened from Pennsylvania. Surnames like “Smith” ( as in blacksmith ) and “Carpenter” ( one who works with wood ) come from the jobs that these people held.
Through out Lawrence Hill's novel names are often linked to identity and have importance for his characters. For example, Aminata's character attaches huge importance to her name. For Aminata it is an inextricable part of her identity. It links her to her homeland and her family. When Chekura says her full African name she is overwhelmed that someone knows her name and describes how this makes her want to live. Having her true name be known is a way of having her identity affirmed and helps her feel connected to her family, home and to Chekura. In fact, Aminata's character defiantly makes reference to her full name, including the name of the town she was born in. Holding onto her name helps her remain connected to the land and people she has left behind and to her own life story and origins. Further underscoring the importance of names in one...
One justifiable meaning of a name is the fact that it changes a person's self esteem.For example, in "Excerpt from Beans Trees" by Barabara Kingsolver, the main character shows emotion on how she wanted to change ,and in the
There are many reasons why people may feel self-conscious; in which, others may or may not, be able to relate to. “My Name’’ is the fourth chapter in The House on Mango Street and in this chapter, Esperanza and I share some similarities. Being named after a relative, born in the Chinese year of the horse, and a dislike in our own name are similarities we share in this chapter. [Esperanza] “In English my name means hope. In Spanish it means to many letters’’(10). Esperanza expresses a dislike in her name due to the length stating, that her name it is too long. When I was younger, I felt the same as my parents placed upon me three middle names at birth. I to felt my name was too long. I would feel embarrassed when my family would address me by my full name although, they would only do so if I was
The Vietnam War was a violent and costly war that needed many men to fight for its cause. These men are now known as the Vietnam veterans. Numerous veterans who fought in the war were injured or lost a comrade during battle. These soldiers fought to protect the United States and its people while risking their own lives. A lot of these brave men were either killed or injured and did not gain the respect they deserved until after the war. The Vietnam soldiers felt that they had a responsibility to protect their country and its people.
My first name, surname, and, for lack of a better term, family name are all uncommon, at least in the United States.
Senator Pat Toomey recently sponsored the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, this act states that the flag of the United States should be displayed, especially on Vietnam War Veterans Day. The Vietnam War was fought between the United States and North and South Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, more than fifty thousand people were killed. When the soldiers returned home there was a negative and hostile attitude towards the war and a misperception that the soldiers did not measure up to the soldiers who fought in previous wars. This unwelcoming and disdainful homecoming was very hard on most of the soldiers who had just experienced a very difficult time coming from fighting in the war. This act designates March 29 as Vietnam War Veterans Day and is the “first federal statute that specifically provides for the honoring of Vietnam War Veterans.” Due to the unpopularity of the war, the Vietnam war veterans did not receive the recognition and welcome
In the article “The Name Is Mine” by Anna Quindlen, she explains her story about her name, why she chose to keep it, and why it has such meaning to her. As a result of keeping her maiden name, there were many positive and negative aspects that went along with it.
On April 15, 1967 called the “Spring Mobilization to End the War” had over 400,000 protesters participating. 20 Vets stood under their anti-war banner, soon more vets got together and started to form the VVAW. A major demonstration was held after two short invasions into Laos by the RVN and US troops , it was called “Dewey Canyon III” it took place in Washington, D.C. Many Vietnam Vets gathered in front of the Capitol and about 1,000 vets threw their medals, helmets, and uniforms on the steps of the Capitol {HistVets}. “Maybe there are some others here like me--who wanted desperately to believe that what we were doing was acceptable, who hung on the words of "revolutionary development" and "winning the hearts and minds of the people” said by Reverend Jackson H. Day. {WikiVets}. The Dewey Canyon III demonstration showed how much anger and frustration vets had with the government still putting in effort into the Vietnam War. Vets wanted the US to pull out of Vietnam because they knew the horrors of the war and knew there was gonna be no way winning this. My final thoughts for the VVAW movement is that, i believe there movement was strong because they were soldiers of the war, other people were just regular protesters, these guys knew what this war gave, horrific
People study history because they wish to strengthen human connections. The same can be drawn about the pursuit of genealogy. Whether it be connections to nobility, to a specific ethnic group or a specific event in history, there are diverse motivations to study genealogy According to Francois Weil, “Genealogy provides a powerful lens to understand personal and collective identities.” In essence Weil’s Family Trees: A History of Genealogy in America is a study of American identity over a span of four centuries through a discussion of genealogy and family history.
names are prevented from being able to reassimilate within society, they are the outcasts. It also
Chagnon spent his first five months collecting what he thought was an intricate and elaborate table of genealogical information, marriage relationships, and kinships within the Yanomamo village of Bisaasi-teri. He knew from the beginning that it would be difficult to obtain the actual names of the tribesmen because it is a symbol of honor, respect, dignity, and political admiration. The less your name was spoken in public within the village, the higher you were regarded. And it was considered an extreme taboo to discuss the names of the deceased as well, which made it exceptionally difficult for Chagnon to trace family lineages to the past. Chagnon would interview villagers asking for the names of all members of their community, including the deceased. He recounts many situations in which the interviewee whispered a name into his ear, made him repeat it aloud and then the person whose name he was supposedly calling would cry out in anger while others laughed. It wasn’t until five months into his development of a genealogical chart, on a trip to another Yanomamo village, that he discovered the name he had for the village headman translated into “long dong” and that all of his names were in fact ridiculous and, of course, incorrect.
I have read an account called " 'What's in a Name? " ", which is composed by Henry Louis Gates. This account demonstrates to us a youth experience of the creator that happened amid the mid-1950s. In the article, Gates alludes to an occurrence when a white man, Mr. Wilson, who was well disposed with his dad, called his dad "George", a name which was a prominent method for alluding to African Americans in those circumstances. In any case, Gates' dad needed to acknowledge this separation and couldn't make a move around then. By utilizing sentiment to bring out individuals' enthusiastic reaction, and utilizing suggestion, Gates effectively communicates his claim that name shapes individuals' discernments
Is it important to know what is behind your name? Now in days, many names are given without knowing their meanings or where they come from. For example, I was given the name of Judith just because my parents heard it and liked it. It depends where and in which culture were they raised. For this purpose I researched my name Judith. Some of the main points I found were interesting to me like the history and my personality.
At first I thought about changing my name to a short one because I have a long last name that consists of eleven letters. It then crossed my mind that if I had a short name like Ali or Rita it wouldn’t be as interesting as having a long first name. People would be more concerned with my last name as opposed to my first name, which I believe is more important. Not only that, but it would also amuse me to have a first and last name that is difficult to pronounce; it would give people a challenge.
...ermine the causal factors that affect naming practice from that of a sociocultural approach. These specific disciplines depict the importance of social science in understanding “social phenomena” (Lewins, 1992, p.5) and thus understanding the social world within which all humans live.