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Archiver > GEN-DE > 1996-06 > 0834274400


From: Edward Flick <>
Subject: German surnames
Date: Sat, 8 Jun 1996 22:53:20 GMT


A few comments on my offer to find the origins of German names.

I have been swamped with requests and am trying to answer as many
as possible. Many of you have thanked me for my try.
Please remember that I am doing this for no pay in my spare time.

A few hints though first:
Before you do any research you should realize that most German
surnames names originated in the Middle Ages. As the population
grew people had to adapt surnames in order to distinguish them-
selves. That's common sense, isn't it? The most popular forms of
surnames then became one's profession/trade. The place/village
where one lived also played a big part,henceforth the endings
-ler, -er, depicting such a person. Physical descriptions and
adaptations of first names into surnames also played a part.
Also remember that average people in the Middle Ages were
illiterate and only went by sounds. Therefore, later on when
literacy increased much damage had been done to the original
spellings of the names.

Some of you should buy a German dictionary first. Many times
you can find the meaning of your names right there. Some of you
should acquire a knowledge of grammar --- such as being able
to separate compound nouns, and also separate nouns into
syllables. This will also help in your dictionary search.

I have received numerous requests for names that can be easily
found in a German/English dictionary. This is a waste of my time.

Also, please do not send me requests for 10 or more names. I
don't mind two or three..........

Last but not least.......
Those of you who question my replies should get paid professional
help.I do not claim to be an expert in genealogy research.I am
quite proficient in my mother tongue German, which I teach, and
also in World History which is my second teaching subject.
This prompts me to enlighten others whose expertise is not
within these fields.

Thanks for listening!

Ilse

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