Difference between revisions of "Nomen gentilicium"
(Gramatical changes as well as some examples) |
(clarification and better examples) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | 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. | + | The [[Latin]] '''nomen gentilicium''' (generally simplifed as '''nomen''') was the second or '''family name''' in the [[Roman]] system of naming convension known as the [[tria nomina]]<ref>http://www.novaroma.org/nr/Nomen<br>retrieved 1 March 2024</ref> which generally consisted of three names but could have a forth added to it. 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]] | + | Following the [[Praenomen]] otherwise known as a 'first name', the '''nomen''' could be followed by the embelishing [[cognomen]] and more honourary [[agnomen]]. |
| − | == | + | ==Examples== |
| − | Despite frequent modern | + | It can also be said that the [[Roman]] '''nomen''' conforms most closely to modern European '''last names''' due to the lack of consistent methodical use of the second name in modern times. But in many cases last or third names do actually follow the [[tria nomina]] by actually being a direct [[cognomen]] such as ''Smith, Thatcher, Weaver, White, Black, Yellow, van Dam<ref>Dutch: literally "from the dam"</ref>, von Albrecht<ref>German: literally "from Albrecht"</ref> Duchateau<ref>French: literally "from the castle"</ref>, Deschamps<ref>French: literally "from the fields"</ref> and Castellano<ref>Spanish: literally "from Castile"</ref>''; while at other times modern last names can more closely resembles an [[agnomen]] such as ''Brilliant''). Howevern a European tradition wherein a last name conforms more closely to the purpose of the '''nomen gentilicium''' are names such as ''Peterson'' being Peter's son. |
| + | |||
| + | Despite the above modern examples it must be noted that it is still a frequent modern naming convension for second names to conform to the nomen gentilicium by naming a child's second name in honour of a family member of the same sex. | ||
| + | |||
| + | If we consider a classic [[Latin]] example of the ''tria nomina'' system such as [[Gaius Julius Caesar|Julius Caesar]], we must note that 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 nephew in his will: [[Gaius Octavius Thurinus]] ("octavian" being the family name), Octavius 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". | Thus when [[Gaius Julius Caesar]] adopted his nephew in his will: [[Gaius Octavius Thurinus]] ("octavian" being the family name), Octavius 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". | ||
Revision as of 18:54, March 1, 2024
The Latin nomen gentilicium (generally simplifed as nomen) was the second or family name in the Roman system of naming convension known as the tria nomina[1] which generally consisted of three names but could have a forth added to it. 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 otherwise known as a 'first name', the nomen could be followed by the embelishing cognomen and more honourary agnomen.
Examples
It can also be said that the Roman nomen conforms most closely to modern European last names due to the lack of consistent methodical use of the second name in modern times. But in many cases last or third names do actually follow the tria nomina by actually being a direct cognomen such as Smith, Thatcher, Weaver, White, Black, Yellow, van Dam[2], von Albrecht[3] Duchateau[4], Deschamps[5] and Castellano[6]; while at other times modern last names can more closely resembles an agnomen such as Brilliant). Howevern a European tradition wherein a last name conforms more closely to the purpose of the nomen gentilicium are names such as Peterson being Peter's son.
Despite the above modern examples it must be noted that it is still a frequent modern naming convension for second names to conform to the nomen gentilicium by naming a child's second name in honour of a family member of the same sex.
If we consider a classic Latin example of the tria nomina system such as Julius Caesar, we must note that 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 nephew in his will: Gaius Octavius Thurinus ("octavian" being the family name), Octavius 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
Nomen, Latin, literally translates as "Name".[7] But in light of the praenomen, the nomen should be considered as a gens/family name.
See also cognomen and agnomen.
References
- ↑ http://www.novaroma.org/nr/Nomen
retrieved 1 March 2024 - ↑ Dutch: literally "from the dam"
- ↑ German: literally "from Albrecht"
- ↑ French: literally "from the castle"
- ↑ French: literally "from the fields"
- ↑ Spanish: literally "from Castile"
- ↑ Online Latin Dictionary, nomen
https://www.online-latin-dictionary.com/latin-english-dictionary.php?parola=nomen