Page "Genealogy" Paragraph 69

In many cultures, the name of a person refers to the family to which he or she belongs.

This is called the family name, surname, or last name.

Patronymics are names that identify an individual based on the father's name.

For example, Marga Olafsdottir is Marga, daughter of Olaf, and Olaf Thorsson is Olaf, son of Thor.

Many cultures used patronymics before surnames were adopted or came into use.

The Dutch in New York, for example, used the patronymic system of names until 1687 when the advent of English rule mandated surname usage.

In Iceland, patronymics are used by a majority of the population.

In Denmark and Norway patronymics and farm names were generally in use through the 19th century and beyond, though surnames began to come into fashion toward the end of the 19th century in some parts of the country.

Not until 1856 in Denmark and 1923 in Norway were there laws requiring surnames.