Changes

Likewise the family might add something to indicate having red hair or the likes.  Similarly, the name of a god the family acknowledged could be used.  Again an industry might be added such as the common English ''cognomens'' now used as last names of ''Smith'' or ''Thatcher''.  But ultimately the ''cognomen'' could be anything the family wished that helped describe themselves.

Likewise the family might add something to indicate having red hair or the likes.  Similarly, the name of a god the family acknowledged could be used.  Again an industry might be added such as the common English ''cognomens'' now used as last names of ''Smith'' or ''Thatcher''.  But ultimately the ''cognomen'' could be anything the family wished that helped describe themselves.

Of such the best commonly known example would be that of [[Gaius Julius Caesar]] manifesting the [[praenomen]], [[nomen]], ''cognomen'', but never an officially attached an [[agnomen]].  Whereas to the family / [[gens]] [[nomen]] became attached the variant spelling of [[caesa]] denoting a ''cut'' (of a sword, knife or spear)<ref>Online Latin Dictionary, ''Caesa''<br>https://www.online-latin-dictionary.com/latin-english-dictionary.php?lemma=CAESA100</ref> making it a fitting ''cognomen'' that continued its use accross the successors of the Emperorship while not implying any genetic heritage but maintaining a consistent convention, a heritage and lineage nonetheless.

Of such the best commonly known example would be that of [[Gaius Julius Caesar]] manifesting the [[praenomen]], [[Nomen gentilicium|nomen], ''cognomen'', but never an officially attached an [[agnomen]].  Whereas to the family / [[gens]] [[Nomen gentilicium|nomen]] became attached the variant spelling of [[caesa]] denoting a ''cut'' (of a sword, knife or spear)<ref>Online Latin Dictionary, ''Caesa''<br>https://www.online-latin-dictionary.com/latin-english-dictionary.php?lemma=CAESA100</ref> making it a fitting ''cognomen'' that continued its use accross the successors of the Emperorship while not implying any genetic heritage but maintaining a consistent convention, a heritage and lineage nonetheless.

As such the '''cognomen''' is best thought of as ''extra information that the family wanted to declare about themselves''.

As such the '''cognomen''' is best thought of as ''extra information that the family wanted to declare about themselves''.

==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]] should be considered as a family name.  See also [[agnomen]].

''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]].

''Cognitus'', Latin, literally translated "the act of getting to know or become aquainted with".<ref>Online Latin Dictionary, ''cognitus''<br>https://www.online-latin-dictionary.com/latin-english-dictionary.php?lemma=COGNITUS100</ref>

''Cognitus'', Latin, literally translated "the act of getting to know or become aquainted with".<ref>Online Latin Dictionary, ''cognitus''<br>https://www.online-latin-dictionary.com/latin-english-dictionary.php?lemma=COGNITUS100</ref>