Translation of German words, mainly; and perhaps bit of context for naming traditions in 1500s Baden

1stackgen4

These listings are in the book “Die Einwohner von Bischmisheim vor 1900” (“The Residents of Bischmisheim before 1900”), a book at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City which provides birth, marrige and death info grouped by families. Bischmisheim is in the Saarland area of Baden.

"Handstreich gehalten am 09.01.1687" in reference to a marriage on 26.01.1687.

"1685-1687 Meyer" in reference to Johann Nickel Kuntz born about 1625.

HIs father, grandfather and great-grandfathers' listings include alternative names:

"Kuntz, Johannes, genannt 'Mertens Johannes', siehe Name d Schwiegervaters" which Google translates as: "Kuntz, Johannes, called 'Mertens Johannes', see father-in-law's name. His father-in-law, Hans Martin Diener, has after his name "genannt Hansen Merten". And his father's listing is: Hans Diener, genannt "Ziegelhans".

If someone can explain the reason for or the context for these alternative names, and/or provide the translations, I would be most appreciative.

Thank you,

Elizabeth

JohnsonGreg

Handstreich in that context referred to marital engagement.

The alternate names reflect the use of farm names in some areas. Here's an explanation:

https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Germany_Naming_Customs

It might be that the "1685-1687 Meyer" refers to a period of use of the farm name Meyers but it is difficult to know without any context. It would also be when Johann Nickel Kuntz was 60-62 years old which seems to make it less likely but doesn't completely rule it out.

sylviaelchinger1

Another possibility is that "Mertens" is a local variation of Martin - see https://www.namenforschung.net/dfd/woerterbuch/liste/?tx_dfd_names%5Bname%5D=301&tx_dfd_names%5Baction%5D=show&tx_dfd_names%5Bcontroller%5D=Names&cHash=b5417da84dd48b775b741d93f1f569f6