Ah, but sometimes matronymic naming is used in Iceland.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandic_name
In some societies, children belong to the mother’s line (and family name), because while paternity might be questioned, it’s always clear who a child’s mother was.
In Iceland, it was possible to adopt family names until 1925, when that became illegal unless you inherited your name or were of foreign origin. Furthermore, personal names that are new to Iceland are subject to approval by an official committee that has jurisdiction over naming. A new name must not use letters that are not in the Icelandic alphabet and they must be grammatically compatible with the Icelandic Language. If you seek Icelandic citizenship, you must either have a compatible name, translate your name to its Icelandic equivalent or simply adopt a new one.The patronymic/matronymic names are only used to distinguish people with the same personal name; in practice, every Icelander is on a first name basis with every other Icelander. I lived there for a summer, and the other names on the doorbells in my apartment building were single personal names.
Randy B Premium Member almost 12 years ago
Ah, but sometimes matronymic naming is used in Iceland.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandic_name
In some societies, children belong to the mother’s line (and family name), because while paternity might be questioned, it’s always clear who a child’s mother was.
arye uygur almost 12 years ago
If “Mc” or “Mac” means “son of” in Gaelic, what does “O’” mean?
arye uygur almost 12 years ago
And during a Jewish religious service, when requesting a blessing for anyone who is sick, the ill person is named “So-and-so, child of his MOTHER.”
Bargrove almost 12 years ago
So, not TOTALLY fair. yes
arye uygur almost 12 years ago
@runar: I’ve noticed that many Irish surnames often begin with “Mc.”
fuzzybritches almost 12 years ago
Actually, the “fitz” signified “son of” for those born without benefit of parental matrimony . . . such as “fitzroy”
Nighthawks Premium Member almost 12 years ago
equally unfunny, but related, is the topic of equal pay for women ……surely THAT wouldn’t be voted against by anybody with any sense….surely
fritzoid Premium Member almost 12 years ago
“Prepare to die by the sword of EGG, Son of Muffin!”
runar almost 12 years ago
In Iceland, it was possible to adopt family names until 1925, when that became illegal unless you inherited your name or were of foreign origin. Furthermore, personal names that are new to Iceland are subject to approval by an official committee that has jurisdiction over naming. A new name must not use letters that are not in the Icelandic alphabet and they must be grammatically compatible with the Icelandic Language. If you seek Icelandic citizenship, you must either have a compatible name, translate your name to its Icelandic equivalent or simply adopt a new one.The patronymic/matronymic names are only used to distinguish people with the same personal name; in practice, every Icelander is on a first name basis with every other Icelander. I lived there for a summer, and the other names on the doorbells in my apartment building were single personal names.
arye uygur almost 12 years ago
@ELDO: I hope you see this tomorrow if you don’t log on today: “Gonzalez” is the patronymic gor “Gonzalo.”