Norwegian Ancestors & Artists
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Heritable family names (surnames) were generally adopted rather late within Scandinavia. Nobility were the first to take names that would be passed on from one generation to the next. Later, clergy, artisans and merchants in cities took heritable names. Family names were still used together with primary patronyms (father’s name plus an affix denoting relationship), which were used by all social classes. This meant that most families until modern times did not have family names. Scandinavian patronyms were generally derived from the father’s given name with the addition of a suffix meaning ‘son’ or ‘daughter’. Sometimes the family name of the mother would be given to the children if that name carried status or an inheritance came from the mother’s side. The names of family farms or other place names were also used. A nobleman had the right to write himself to (Norwegian: til) the seat farm(s) or the estate(s) on which he resided, for example ‘Hans Kaas til Rostrup’.
Conrad Family says
Gary, thanks for putting this book together. What a lot of work you have put into it!
Gary Lewis says
Thank you very much. I had much help in the form of photos and data from numerous relatives.
Rune Riktor says
Thanks from my part of the family also, Gary, for doing this. Has been busy weeks but today I downloaded the book and will read. Have a great summer!
Rune (Riktor), 48
Kolbotn, Norway