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Archiver > CARIBBEAN > 2003-03 > 1046958286


From: tony figueroa <>
Subject: Re: "Surnames" - When did this start???
Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2003 05:44:46 -0800 (PST)
In-Reply-To: <20030305190357.09304.00000034@mb-mj.aol.com>


Surnames have been used for centuries. They just weren't called surnames. They were used as an identifier for place of birth, relationships, parentage, et.
Example is the french use of the word "de".
deLaMercier, deMolienier, etc. The Russians used "ovich"..Ivan Ivanovich..son of Ivan.
The english used names to identify occupation such as "Smith' "Baker". Some slaves took the name of the plantation they belonged as well as the name of the owner. The examples are as manynas there are names.
Just when did it become a legal thing? It probably was right from the start. The best way to find out would be from an anthropologist.
TSmith3116 <> wrote:Can anyone tell me when did the practice of using a "surname" became legal.
This would clear up some issues for me. And if known, what country started it
initially. From some very "iffy" research it looks like it started in the late
1600s.

Thanks
Ronnie


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