Last name changed

Angela Schroath

Last name changed

I have an ancestor who changed his last name in 1885, about 20 years after his birth. Their family does not follow the patrionymic naming system so there must be some other reason. None of his siblings changed their last name, only he did. He is the oldest son and is named after his father.

I'm just curious if there is some reason why he would have changed it?

cjlien1.537965285540562E12

Where did he live? What was the earlier name and what did he change too?

Swedes had soldier names. Norwegians might use a new farm name when they moved. Etc etc...

Shari Duce

I'm interested in what records or documents you have that reflect the change. There are many possible reasons. Have you followed this individual's life events to see if he remains in the same location? Could he have changed his name upon moving to another country?

Tanner Blair Tolman

Patronymics were not in use anymore by 1885. People could change their names easily. People in Sweden especially did so.

Angela Schroath

His father's surname is Fernelius. He changed his surname to Bergvall. He stayed in the same area (like a county) as where he was born.

Angela Schroath

I have 2 Sweden Household Examination Books that have notes. On one it states his father's name was Fernelius and the other states that his name was changed in 1885 to Bergvall and his name is written as '"Gustaf Fernelius (Bergvall)"

He pretty much stays in the same county (not sure what it is called in Sweden, a canton maybe?). He stayed in Sweden.

cjlien1.537965285540562E12

So the individual in question here is Gustaf Theodor Fernelius born 2 Nov 1865 in Karbenning, Västmanlands to Gustaf Fernelius and Anne Lisa Brevis. I would have thought Fernelius was an uncommon first name and the proper last name here should have been Ferneliusson but that is not the case, Fernelius is an inherited surname here.

 

In this case I am sure Bergvall is a "soldier name" When young men were conscripted in Sweden they were assigned names because patronymic names could be a source of confusion. Imagine an officer hollering "Petersson, bring me my looking glass!" He might start a stampede. In quite a few cases I have seen men kept their soldier name as a family name after they were done their stint in the army. Gustaf Theodor picks up the Bergvall name just as he nears 20 years of age so I'd say soldier name.

 

Merry Christmas

Cliff in Alberta

 

Angela Schroath

Thank you, that may have been why the change occurred. I appreciate your insight!