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ArchivesRe: first names that are surnames
in reply to a message by Alondratalis
Historically, Europe went through a phase where people had only one name that corresponds to the modern given name. Later on, in the growing towns and cities it was necessary to distinguish persons with the same name. They first got some by-names, based on their appearance, their father, their profession, the house they were living in, or the place they came from. The by-names became hereditary at some point and became true surnames.
Given names created surnames of different types: "son-of" (Johnson < John's son), genitive (Evans < Evan), or simple a given name became surname unchanged (Adam).
The other way 'round with surnames used as given names is rather new and I think it started in the USA where surnames could be used as middle names and finally as given names. Surname based given names are particularly popular right now, part of its appeal (beside "freshness") is that they are unisex fro the start. The mentioned Harper, Taylor, and Lincoln belong to this group.
It is not uncommon that some surnames are fossilised given names that fell completely out of use for centuries. Such formerly given names can be revived from the surnames. I can't give English examples here. German former given names used as surnames include Gerlach and Gundlach, Degenhard, Dietz, Gernhard, Hildebrandt, Rodewald, and many more. It is not a coincidence that the names are all originally masculine, naming people after their mothers was uncommon in medieval and early modern Europe.
Given names created surnames of different types: "son-of" (Johnson < John's son), genitive (Evans < Evan), or simple a given name became surname unchanged (Adam).
The other way 'round with surnames used as given names is rather new and I think it started in the USA where surnames could be used as middle names and finally as given names. Surname based given names are particularly popular right now, part of its appeal (beside "freshness") is that they are unisex fro the start. The mentioned Harper, Taylor, and Lincoln belong to this group.
It is not uncommon that some surnames are fossilised given names that fell completely out of use for centuries. Such formerly given names can be revived from the surnames. I can't give English examples here. German former given names used as surnames include Gerlach and Gundlach, Degenhard, Dietz, Gernhard, Hildebrandt, Rodewald, and many more. It is not a coincidence that the names are all originally masculine, naming people after their mothers was uncommon in medieval and early modern Europe.
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