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The '''Cognomen''', (Latin) was generally the third name a Roman citizen might have in what could be up to a four name naming convention.<ref>Online Latin Dictionary, ''Cognomen''<br>https://www.online-latin-dictionary.com/latin-english-dictionary.php?parola=cognomen</ref>  While not a family name, the ''cognomen'' was regularly passed from father to son as a name that said something about the family in a similar way to how the [[agnomen]] said somthing about the individual.  Classic choices were towns or trades, cultural backgrounds, physical traits etc.

The '''cognomen''' (Latin) was generally the third name a Roman citizen might have in what could be up to a four-name naming convention.<ref>Online Latin Dictionary, ''Cognomen''<br>https://www.online-latin-dictionary.com/latin-english-dictionary.php?parola=cognomen</ref>  While not a family name, the ''cognomen'' was regularly passed from father to son as a name that said something about the family in a similar way to how the [[agnomen]] said something about the individual.  Classic choices were towns or trades, cultural backgrounds, physical traits, etc.

==Examples==

==Examples==

* If someone had Gaulish ancestory and still identified as such, so they might add ''galli'' or a derivative thereof onto the family name.

* If someone had Gaulish ancestry and still identified as such, they might add ''galli'' or a derivative thereof to the family name.

* [[Octavian]] later [[Augustus Caesar]] prior to his adoption by [[Julius Caesar]] usded the ''cognomen'' of ''Thurinus'' indicating a family connection the township of [[Turi]] in [[Apulia]] located in southern [[Italy]].   

* [[Octavian]], later [[Augustus Caesar]], prior to his adoption by [[Julius Caesar]], used the ''cognomen'' of ''Thurinus'', indicating a family connection to the township of [[Turi]] in [[Apulia]] located in southern [[Italy]].   

:* similarly the Dutch and Germans regularly have names of ''van'' and ''von'' to indicate where the family is from.

:* Similarly the Dutch and Germans regularly have names of ''van'' and ''von'' to indicate where the family is from.

* a family trait might be red hair or the likes.

* A family trait might be red hair or the like.

* the name of a god the family acknowledged could be used.

* The name of a god the family acknowledged could be used.

* an industry the family worked our founded might be added such as the common English ''cognomens'' of:

* An industry the family worked or founded might be added such as the common English ''cognomens'' of:

:* Archer

:* Archer

:* Cartwright (cart-builder)

:* Cartwright (cart-builder)

:* Copper (barrel maker)

:* Cooper (barrel maker)

:* Cutler (knife-maker)

:* Cutler (knife-maker)

:* Fletcher

:* Fletcher

:* Weaver

:* Weaver

But ultimately the ''cognomen'' could be anything the family wished that helped describe themselves. But because trades and townships or even family traits passed through generations the cognomen was generally passed from father to son.

But ultimately the ''cognomen'' could be anything the family wished that helped describe themselves. Because trades and townships or even family traits passed through generations, the cognomen was generally passed from father to son.

Of such the best commonly known example would be that of [[Gaius Julius Caesar]] manifesting the:

Of such, the best commonly known example would be that of [[Gaius Julius Caesar]] manifesting the:

* [[praenomen]] of Gaius being his 'first name'

* [[praenomen]] of Gaius being his 'first name'

* [[Nomen gentilicium|nomen]] of Julius bing his 'family name'

* [[Nomen gentilicium|nomen]] of Julius being his 'family name'

* ''cognomen'' of Caesar indicating a 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.

* ''cognomen'' of Caesar 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 across the successors of the emperorship while not implying any genetic heritage but maintaining a consistent convention, a heritage and lineage nonetheless.

* [[agnomen]], in this case [[Julius Caesar]] never had a personal 'nick-name' attached

* [[agnomen]]; in this case [[Julius Caesar]] never had a personal 'nickname' attached

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 gentilicium|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 acquainted with".<ref>Online Latin Dictionary, ''cognitus''<br>https://www.online-latin-dictionary.com/latin-english-dictionary.php?lemma=COGNITUS100</ref>

Thereby the ''cognomen'' should be considered as a name by which one helps identify the family: ''a meaningful addition to the family name''.

Thereby, the ''cognomen'' should be considered as a name by which one helps identify the family: ''a meaningful addition to the family name''.