DID YOU EVER WONDER "HOW", "WHY", "WHEN", "WHERE",
AND "WHO" WE CAME FROM?
(in reference to our family, of course)
HOW DO NAMES ORIGINATE?
During the early middle ages, people were referred to by a single given name. Gradually the custom of adding another name or ‘surname’ as a way to distinguish individuals became widespread. Historians believe that surnames derived from four sources; occupational, by location, patronymic (fathers name), and charismatic.
In order to understand both the origins of, and any changes that may have occurred in our family names, we must first look at the countries of origin of our ancestors. For most of us, the continent which reached across the oceans and landed our forefathers in the new world was Europe; for some of us, the continents were Asia and Africa
During the age of naval supremacy, Europe scattered its peoples, ideas and models of government across the oceans, providing most of the basics for the culture of the new worlds. Although it is true that wars, famines and political events in Europe led to the attempt to duplicate European society in the new worlds, the process of immigration changed most people. While they honored the country of their origins, they were increasingly different from the people left behind.
Have you ever wondered why your grandmother and grandfather treasured a faded photograph, a worn Bible, or that the holidays spent with your mother’s family were different from occasions spent with your father’s family? Remembering and preserving memories, customs, and traditions all established a family heritage.
Your unique family heritage contains ‘clues to your past.’ Properly collected and pieced together, these clues can unlock the most interesting adventure you will ever experience. These clues, learned from the older members of your family, can teach you the story of your origin. Who are these people who gave you your family name? Where did their names come from? Why did your ancestors leave their homeland? In what part of the world did your ancestors settle? What were they like and what did they do when they arrived here. For the most part they began their struggle for a new and better life.
Many families throughout Europe worked under grueling conditions to satisfy the age-old basic necessities of food, shelter and warmth. Their efforts were rewarded with widely varying degrees of success and failure. No matter how hard they worked, their progress could be thwarted by recurring famine, pestilence, and political strife.
The history of British migration is quite meaningful to the growth of the American Republic. It was British stock that formed the largest element in the thirteen colonies by the time of the revolution. The English, Scotch-Irish, Scots, and Welsh were among the British who formed a steady influx to the new world from colonial times.
During the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries England was ravaged by religious and political conflict. Many families were freely ‘encouraged’ to migrate. The first English settlements were founded at Jamestown, VA in 1607 and Plymouth Rock, MA in 1620. Many English, Scots, and Welsh came to the United States from 1884 to 1891. Stephen James Matthews, Sr. probably arrived in Virginia about that time.
During the early middle ages, people were referred to by a single given name. Gradually the custom of adding another name or ‘surname’ as a way to distinguish individuals became widespread. Historians believe that surnames derived from four sources; occupational, by location, patronymic (fathers name), and charismatic.
In order to understand both the origins of, and any changes that may have occurred in our family names, we must first look at the countries of origin of our ancestors. For most of us, the continent which reached across the oceans and landed our forefathers in the new world was Europe; for some of us, the continents were Asia and Africa
During the age of naval supremacy, Europe scattered its peoples, ideas and models of government across the oceans, providing most of the basics for the culture of the new worlds. Although it is true that wars, famines and political events in Europe led to the attempt to duplicate European society in the new worlds, the process of immigration changed most people. While they honored the country of their origins, they were increasingly different from the people left behind.
Have you ever wondered why your grandmother and grandfather treasured a faded photograph, a worn Bible, or that the holidays spent with your mother’s family were different from occasions spent with your father’s family? Remembering and preserving memories, customs, and traditions all established a family heritage.
Your unique family heritage contains ‘clues to your past.’ Properly collected and pieced together, these clues can unlock the most interesting adventure you will ever experience. These clues, learned from the older members of your family, can teach you the story of your origin. Who are these people who gave you your family name? Where did their names come from? Why did your ancestors leave their homeland? In what part of the world did your ancestors settle? What were they like and what did they do when they arrived here. For the most part they began their struggle for a new and better life.
Many families throughout Europe worked under grueling conditions to satisfy the age-old basic necessities of food, shelter and warmth. Their efforts were rewarded with widely varying degrees of success and failure. No matter how hard they worked, their progress could be thwarted by recurring famine, pestilence, and political strife.
The history of British migration is quite meaningful to the growth of the American Republic. It was British stock that formed the largest element in the thirteen colonies by the time of the revolution. The English, Scotch-Irish, Scots, and Welsh were among the British who formed a steady influx to the new world from colonial times.
During the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries England was ravaged by religious and political conflict. Many families were freely ‘encouraged’ to migrate. The first English settlements were founded at Jamestown, VA in 1607 and Plymouth Rock, MA in 1620. Many English, Scots, and Welsh came to the United States from 1884 to 1891. Stephen James Matthews, Sr. probably arrived in Virginia about that time.
For information about this website please contact Jan McCormack
