i have no way to confirm this. Where did you get the maiden name of Smith from? Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one" Thank you, my dear friend, for adding this about enslaved people owned in the Caribbean is really important, as some of the customs were certainly different. Perhaps this caused some Slaves to ask: Am I my new name or am I still my old name? It prohibited. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Hi Rodney, Enslaved peoplethemselves sometimes chose names denoting weather conditions at the time of their child's birth or some distinctive feature of his or her appearance. Florence, Fiorella, Fleur, and Flower are translations, but we like Flora best of all. This database is a compilation of information on over four thousand slaves from Louisiana who were involved in manumission (the formal emancipation from slavery) between 1719 and 1820. Even worse, during this period, many African Americanssome using surnames for the very first timechanged their surnames once or even several times. Popular English baby names by decade - 1840s - 1990s 1840s 5 Robert - 53 Margaret - 47 The 1860s first saw the Rimmers' use of 1870s Boys Girls Total registered births - 1,944 1 John - 160 Mary - 151 The 1870s first saw the Rimmers' use of What was the first girl's name in the 1900s? Bernacki: Teatr; Mamontowicz-ojek: Szkoa Tyzenhauza s. 53, 54, 70, 86-89, 92; Wierzbicka: Sze studiw; Muzyka 1969 nr 2 (J. Prosnak). Kaplan, Justin, and Anne Bernays. Runaway ads illustrate how many slaveholders knew the surnames of their slaves. Slavery's reach is still with us, and part of the gift of doing African-American genealogy is recovering the stories of those caught in its grasp who could not in their own time leave their own witness.". And this example from another pension file shows how even the given name of this enslaved woman was held under little regard: Testimony of Mollie Russell (widow of Phillip Fry), September 19, 1911: Q. Cheryll Cody, "'There Was No Absalom on the Ball Plantation': Slave-Naming Practices in the South Carolina Low Country, 1720-1865," American Historical Review 92 (June 1987). In another case Sukey Ann and he 4 children were manumitted by their Ashby owner with only their first names. The last U.S.census slave schedules were enumerated by County in 1860 and included 393,975 named persons holding 3,950,546 unnamed slaves, or an average of about ten slaves per holder. Elaine Fantham, Helene Peet Foley, Natalie Boymel Kampen, Sarah B. Pomeroy, H. A. Shapiro. Besides the Morrows, whom else did you live with in Louisville? Each is present in your body. Join my mailing list below to receive my posts and get a free PDF with some of my favorite tips! These people are referred to as slaves, or as enslaved people. common last names in the 1800s Patronymic surnames such as Jansen/Janssen, Hansen, and Petersen are the most common names in the far north (Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein). The table below shows the most common last names with statistics on the heritage and ancestry of those with the surname. Best of luck to you, We had to register as someone, so we could be citizens. It had always been passed down in the family that Thomas has been owned by the Blacks. European, Javanese and African and Indentured Servitude in First Contact and Early Colonization of Brazil, France and its Empire in the Indian Ocean, France and the British Isles from 1640 to 1789, George Montagu Dunk, Second Earl of Halifax, Green Atlantic: the Irish in the Atlantic World, Histories and Historiographies of the Atlantic World, Impact of the French Revolution on the Caribbean, The, Indentured Servitude in the Atlantic World, Indian, Internal Slave Migrations in the Americas, Interracial Marriage in the Atlantic World, Liverpool in The Atlantic World 1500-1833, Maritime Atlantic in the Age of Revolutions, The, Marriage and Family in the Atlantic World, Material Culture of Slavery in the British Atlantic, Money and Banking in the Atlantic Economy, Napolon Bonaparte and the Atlantic World, Nation and Empire in Northern Atlantic History, Native American Histories in North America, Native Americans and the American Revolution, People of African Descent in Early Modern Europe, Pets and Domesticated Animals in the Atlantic World. In my research so far, I have found very little evidence of white Culbert slaveholders only three cases so far. My maiden surname is Williams. The different spellings are due to the non-consistent spelling rules in Norway in the 1700s and 1800s. South Atlantic Creole A Spanish America After Independence, 1825-1900, Tudor and Stuart Britain in the Wider World, 1485-1685, Warfare, Medicine, and Disease in the Atlantic World. Please share, in the comments below, examplesyou have come across of the surnames of enslaved people, especially if it was different from their last slaveholder. Louis (M) (English origin) means "famous warrior". African Americans tended to use surnames associated with their own families instead of the last slave owner. Even many given names of ancestors eventually became a surname, such as Todd or William. The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation: Stories of My Familys Journey to Freedom, A Thank You Letter from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Plantation Records Key Link to African American Past . My full name is Dick Lewis Barnett. Eliza Moore (1843 - January 21, 1948) Source = Pinimg. So I asked my mother and she told me my father John Barnett, a white man, and I took up the name of Barnett . Through Reclaiming Kin, I share tips on genealogy skillbuilding for all genealogists, and on researching slavery and the enslaved. However, the common practice by slaveholders was to only use the given names of enslaved people in documents such as estate papers, court and deed records. Throughout the colonial period, as many as one-fifth of the enslaved people in North Carolina retained African names; Quash, Cuffee, Mingo, Sambo, Mustapha, and Sukey were among the most common recorded. 5. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Forenames. Peneus saved Daphne from Apollos romantic obsessions by transforming her into a laurel tree. Fernsby, (Old English Origin) Derived from the old English words meaning "fern farmstead". Students learn about the period of violence in the South from 1873-1876 and examine its role in influencing elections and ending Republican control of Southern state governments. If a surname was needed, the slave owners family name might be used. This is common. The top 5 most common Hispanic last names from the 1920s are: 1. They cut it off from OCTAVIA. These cookies do not store any personal information. Prior to the emancipation of the American slaves in 1863, those African-Americans held in bondage had usually just one or two given names. Renate, Seating is limited. That is why you will find a lot of families in Louisiana with surnames like Baptiste, Narcisse, Jean-Louis, Nanette-Louise, Rene, Jacques etc Ive come across very few former slaves and fpoc using the surnames of their former owner. The slave schedules of 1860 Arkansas do not give the names of the slaves. Picked by several celebrities (a couple of times even for a girl), adding up to an enthusiastically recommended choice. In these cases, unless the name change had been passed down in the family by oral history, it would be impossible to trace the family back any further. Many Welsh surnames follow this pattern, with Jones (from 'John's son) being the most common. Going back a decade to the 1850 Slave Schedule, both William Wood and Samuel O. Even that feels like something. This article is from the Encyclopedia of North Carolina edited by William S. Powell. ", "Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city;)", "Where does the family start? A krio from.Freetown Sierra Leone. A. Both comments and pings are currently closed. 1760-1810 Persons declared to be "white by law" or "free" (part 1), (part 2) at Jamaican Family Search Genealogy Research Library. I liked the name better than Octavia, and so I took it with me to Danville, and was never called anything else there than that name. In 1911, Barnett and Fry's widow, Mollie, both applied for pensions from the government. Or, the Slaves were given numbers or classical Greek names. Geographic names were common, as were the names of ships or distant ports for enslaved peopleborn in places such as Wilmington or New Bern. 13 March 2022, 1-2:30pm [PAST EVENT], Eastern Standard Time: Cant find some of your ancestors in the census? Almost every major tome on slavery discusses slave naming practices in some form or fashion. After I had returned to Louisville from Danville, My sister, Lizzie White, got to calling me Mollie, and it was with her that the name started. Most common last names names: 1-1000 | 1001-2000 | 2001-3000 | 3001-4000 | 4001-5000 Choose the best name for your child. Abel, the name of Adam and Eve's unfortunate younger son, compensates with positive connotations: capable, competent, ready and willing. EDHASA, 2006, 359 pages, (. 26 September 2021 [PAST EVENT]: Acclaimed genealogist Melvin Collier and I will be presenting an all-new 2-hour lecture titled More Than Just Names: Incorporating Social and Community History Into Your Research from 1:00-3:30 EST (please note it is Eastern Standard Time). The difficulties include using records that provide no surnames, the constant sale and breakup of families, and the lack of identification of fathers. Please submit permission requests for other use directly to the publisher. But the bureau also compiled lists of the fastest-growing surnames in the United States and these include Zhang, Li, Ali, Liu, and Khan - a testament to the wonderful diversity of our nation. Thank you for your kind comment and I am glad my post helped some with the complicated reasons behind the surnames enslaved people had. Well, I got to thinking about all us slaves that was going to take the name Fitzpatrick. 42. My great grandfather Wilson Percival was born in South Carolina and I believe he took his surname from last slave owners family. I also meant to email you and tell you how I enjoyed your article in the last NGSQ. Harris: A patronymic meaning son of Harry. I am searching for information about a woman named Eliza Ellis, from Versailles KY or that area. Feel free to contact me directly if you have more questions or need some assistance. Five of the slaves were sold to the Washingtons and brought to Wessyngton. Robinson: A patronymic of the name Robin. I also see that in 1900 she is listed as widow with 1 child living, so you may have luck trying to find out who her child was. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW! Thank you for posing your question. by John C. Inscoe, 2006; Revised May 2022 by NC Government & Heritage Library. (Media Note: If you quote a post, please credit me by name, Robyn N. I worked for him as nurse for his children, and my full and correct name was OCTAVIA, but the family could not catch on to that long name and called me LOTTIE for short. And please do share posts that interest you. They ran away, fought back, feigned illness, destroyed tools, and clung to their families. Nat Turner's Rebellion One of the most famous slave revolts in American history came in 1831 when Nat Turner led a bloody uprising in Southampton County, Virginia. slave rebellions, in the history of the Americas, periodic acts of violent resistance by Black slaves during nearly three centuries of chattel slavery. "Albumen print of enslaved women and their children near Alexandria, Virginia." The surname issue really presents huge challenges for those of us doign this research, but you soulnd as though you are making headway. A Wessyngton slave named Bill who was the plantations blacksmith was known as Billy the Smith during slavery. One thing for sure, historians are always expanding our knowledge on this topic.BTW, I am a big fan of your website and your work in the field! This was the case with several others from Wessyngton. Slavery in America was the legal institution of enslaving human beings, mainly Africans and African Americans. A. Mr. Thomas Jefferson of Louisville, bought me when I was three years of age from Mr. Dearing. James) will have . Robyn. Robyn, Unraveling the origins of FPOC and slaves in Francophone Louisiana takes some thinking outside the fact, meticulous research ,familiarity with the local culture, history and a bit of serendipity on your side. One ancestor was known as Baber Masse, Elizabeth SENET and Elisabeth Leveille in different documents. Thus, the patronymic surname can be effectively regarded as "keeper of the peace." This phenomenon is not unheard of with African American surnames. Students explore the legacies of the Reconstruction era today, reflect on the idea of democracy as a continuous process, and consider how they can best participate in the ongoing work of strengthening our democracy. He identified father, mother and siblings in a Freedmans bank deposit in 1873, when he was already in New York City. Relish, (Old French Origin) Derived from relaisse meaning "flavor or taste". Instead a wide variety of surnames came about that would be the family name for future generations. Other common surnames included Jones, Matthews, Sinclair, and Bennett, Price, and Gray.. The idea was for the children to enter the inhumane system of slavery protected by a sense of Selfhood and history. Who called you by that name and where was it done? This had a profound impact on the Selfhood of each of the enslaveddisrupting ones presumed Mission in life, as indicated by ones name; shattering the sharing of personal and historical experiences, attitudes, and spirits towards life; and putting in disarray the philosophy of life framework and common sense values by which all Africans lived. Baby Name Generator. Chery Meaning: derived from the Latin Cariacus, which means "land belonging to Cariu"; darling Origin: French 5. What remains utterly amazing to me is that in the worst of circumstances, and in spite of every attempt to crush any idea that slaves were anything other than commodities, slaveholders did not succeed. LOTTIE had been the name of the nurse before me and so they just continued that same name. Location the owner of ones ancestor is crucial for an African American genealogist to trace his family before 1870. By examining periods of violence during the Reconstruction era, students learn about the potential backlash to political and social change. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Thank you as always, your posts are so helpful. Login Forgot . 44. . All rights reserved. Some scholars of slavery have come to view the names and naming of enslaved people as agauge of many aspects oflife and culture during enslavement and of howcustoms changed over time. The first published African-American poet & author Phillis Wheatley was born in West Africa. Spanish areas had male Slave names as Francisco, Pedro, and Antonio; and for females: Maria, Isabella, and Juana. But, my mtdna also said I share ancestry with the Kru people of Liberia and the Mende from Sierra Leonne! By country & year of birth. I dont know what became of his parents. A. Lottie Smith was my name and what they called me before I met Phillip and was married to him. Through a video-based activity, students examine Americas struggle for a stronger democracy during Reconstruction and today. Bernard Meaning: brave warrior Origin: French 4. Ref. Of the 972 names of male Slaves recorded between 1619 and 1799 the leading ones were Jack, Tom, Harry, Sam, Will, Caesar, Dick, John, Robin, Frank, Charles, Joe and Prince. Your insight is always welcome and I am glad you shared these posts for other readers to see. I was called mostly Lewis Smith till after the war, although I was named Dick Lewis SmithDick was the brother of John Barnett whom I learned was my father . The private name served as a form of Selfhood Armor (you cant take all of me, White man!); gave them a sense of power over their captors; and provided their children with a sense of heritage and pride. And you get to tell the story of Jean-Louiss life in slavery and also in freedom. . One former slave Bill Scott from Wessyngton reported in his pension application for military service that when he enlisted in the Union Army officials put down his surname as Washington. Some of the most common or popular last names in the 1800s included Robinson, Clark, and Smith. My great great grandfather in Mississippi took the surname of the previous SC enslaver, whose widow sold him away. The names they gave their children provide a valuable, if limited, index of that process over time. Many names, whether African derived or English, refer to birth circumstances, including both the ubiquitous day-names, which derive from the West African Akan-Twi language group, and others such as birth order and time of birth (e.g., day of the week, month, or season). Names from the Bible were another common practice, for given and surnames. John C. Inscoe, "Carolina Slave Names: An Index to Acculturation," Journal of Southern History 59 (November 1983). All of them are alive in this moment. A. I was first called by that name in the family of Col. Morrow in whose service I was in Louisville, Ky., just after the war. Who called you by that name and where was it done? Phillis Wheatley (May 8, 1753 - December 5, 1784) Source = Wikimedia. This financial assistance was available to all Civil War veterans and their families. Garcia (The Spanish form of Gerald, Garcia would be the son of Gerald. There are a wide array of sources that provide us with slave surnames, from the slave narratives and interviews, to freedmans bank cards, runaway ads and Southern Claims Commission records. A. I was first called by that name in the family of Col. Morrow in whose service I was in Louisville, Ky., just after the war. Robyn. Available from https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2014.174.8?destination=/explore/collection/search%3Fedan_q%3Denslaved%26edan_fq%255B0%255D%3Dobject_type%253A%2522Photographs%2522 (accessed May 6, 2022). I am an engineer by day, but my true passion lies in genealogy. Robyn N. Smith, [insert post title], Reclaiming Kin (https://reclaimingkin.com: accessed [insert date you read the post]), [insert the date the post was written]. I mean, really retro. Q. James: (M) (Latin origin) means "heel" or "supplanter". You should give a TED talk! Caps statement implies that choosing his own surname was a part of exercising his newfound freedom. They called me OCK. Robyn. In the. There are many factors to consider in determining what surnames African Americans used. I found in the Civil War registry, an enslaved man who enrolled in the infantry under the name of Wash Ellis. 40. I think mostly about family separationas a mother now myself, the very idea that my dear child could be sold to who knows where, never to be seen again..just reduces me to tears anytime. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The campaign in Britain to abolish slavery began in the 1760s, supported by both black and white abolitionists. Thanks for commenting and continued luck in your research, A. Lottie Smith was my name and what they called me before I met Phillip and was married to him.

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