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The [[Latin]] '''nomen gentilicium''' (generally simplifed as '''nomen''') was the second or '''family name''' in the [[Roman]] system of naming convension. Following the [[Praenomen]], the ''nomen'' could be followed by a [[cognomen]] and an [[agnomen]].  Originally intended to convey ones [[gens]] or patrilineal ancestry, as non-Latin stock were conformed to Roman customs and conventions, the meaning of the ''nomen gentilicium'' was lost to the flood of non-Latin derived citizens which were added to the empire via conquest or migration.  The [[Roman]] '''nomen''' conforms most closely to the modern English '''last name''' despite being regularly a direct [[cognomen]]..

The [[Latin]] '''nomen gentilicium''' (generally simplifed as '''nomen''') was the second or '''family name''' in the [[Roman]] system of naming convension.   Originally intended to convey ones [[gens]]/family or patrilineal ancestry, the mass conversion of non-Latin stock to Roman customs and conventions found the meaning of the ''nomen gentilicium'' lost to the flood of adoption of classic [[Latin]] names by the non-Latin derived subjects which now flooded the empire via conquest or migration.

 

Following the [[Praenomen]], the '''nomen''' could be followed by the embelishing [[cognomen]] and more honourary [[agnomen]].  It can also be said that the [[Roman]] '''nomen''' conforms most closely to the modern English '''last name''' (despite modern last names being regularly a direct [[cognomen]] and even sometimes being an [[agnomen]]).

==Example==

==Example==

Despite frequent modern reference to [[Gaius Julius Caesar|Julius Caesar]], Julius represents his father's linage. Thus when he adopted his nefew as his own, [[Octavian]] (actually being his family name), Octavian changed his '''nomen gentilicium''' to [[Julius]].

Despite frequent modern reference to [[Gaius Julius Caesar|Julius Caesar]], Julius is not his first name, but rather his '''nomen''' representing his father's linage: his first name, or [[praenomen]], is Gaius while ''Caesar'' was his [[cognomen]].

 

Thus when [[Gaius Julius Caesar]] adopted his nefew in his will, [[Gaius Octavian Thurinus]] ("octavian" being his family name), he changed his '''nomen gentilicium''' to "Julius" and accepted the associated [[cognomen]] of "Caesar".  But [[Octavian]] logically kept his first name/[[praenomen]] of "Gaius".  It must also be noted at that time [[Octavian]] had not yet been honoured with the [[agnomen]] of "Augustus".

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

''Nomen'', Latin, literally translated "''Name''"<ref>Online Latin Dictionary, ''nomen''<br>https://www.online-latin-dictionary.com/latin-english-dictionary.php?parola=nomen</ref> but in light of the [[praenomen]], the [[Nomen gentilicium|nomen]] should be considered as a family name. See also [[agnomen]].

''Nomen'', Latin, literally translates as "''Name''".<ref>Online Latin Dictionary, ''nomen''<br>https://www.online-latin-dictionary.com/latin-english-dictionary.php?parola=nomen</ref> But in light of the [[praenomen]], the [[Nomen gentilicium|nomen]] should be considered as a [[gens]]/family name.

 

See also [[cognomen]] and [[agnomen]].