Location the owner of ones ancestor is crucial for an African American genealogist to trace his family before 1870. Other common surnames included Jones, Matthews, Sinclair, and Bennett, Price, and Gray.. My mother's name was Octavia Smith and it was from her that I got it but where the name came from to her I never knew. I hope youll sign up to receive my postsif you do, youll get a free PDF with some of my favorite tips! One thing for sure, historians are always expanding our knowledge on this topic.BTW, I am a big fan of your website and your work in the field! As a newspaper that publishes in the spirit of the Black Press, the Black Voice News has given voice to the voiceless and shined a light on systemic inequities and disparities since 1972. It prohibited. She served that family for a long time, perhaps more clues to her past lie in his family roots. I make extensive use of tables for organization, analysis and citation in my research, and they have proven very popular with genealogists. I truly believe they used surnames of each of their former owners for some of their childrens middle names. 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S. | Name Census And this example from another pension file shows how even the given name of this enslaved woman was held under little regard: Testimony of Mollie Russell (widow of Phillip Fry), September 19, 1911: Q. ", "If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all the generations of your ancestors. Cheryll Cody, "'There Was No Absalom on the Ball Plantation': Slave-Naming Practices in the South Carolina Low Country, 1720-1865," American Historical Review 92 (June 1987). I was called mostly Lewis Smith till after the war, although I was named Dick Lewis SmithDick was the brother of John Barnett whom I learned was my father . African Americans tended to use surnames associated with their own families instead of the last slave owner. I would still recommend all of these books, except the first one listed for obvious reasons. FamilySearch Centers. Names of prominent slaveholderse.g. There was often a fluidity to the surnames that enslaved people had. Are you thinking this woman Eliza Ellis was married to Wash Ellis? Surnames for African-Americans - Former Slaves ", "Call it a clan, call it a network, all it a tribe, call it a family. Elijah is derived from the Hebrew name Eliyahu, composed of the elements. Injurious Names: Naming, Disavowal, and Recuperation in Contexts of Slavery and Emancipation. In The Anthropology of Names and Naming. The slave schedules of 1860 Arkansas do not give the names of the slaves. -Unknown, "If you can't get rid of the skeleton in your closet, you might as well make it dance!" This reading contains quoted text not authored by Facing History & Ourselves. European, Javanese and African and Indentured Servitude in First Contact and Early Colonization of Brazil, France and its Empire in the Indian Ocean, France and the British Isles from 1640 to 1789, George Montagu Dunk, Second Earl of Halifax, Green Atlantic: the Irish in the Atlantic World, Histories and Historiographies of the Atlantic World, Impact of the French Revolution on the Caribbean, The, Indentured Servitude in the Atlantic World, Indian, Internal Slave Migrations in the Americas, Interracial Marriage in the Atlantic World, Liverpool in The Atlantic World 1500-1833, Maritime Atlantic in the Age of Revolutions, The, Marriage and Family in the Atlantic World, Material Culture of Slavery in the British Atlantic, Money and Banking in the Atlantic Economy, Napolon Bonaparte and the Atlantic World, Nation and Empire in Northern Atlantic History, Native American Histories in North America, Native Americans and the American Revolution, People of African Descent in Early Modern Europe, Pets and Domesticated Animals in the Atlantic World. Some of the most common or popular last names in the 1800s included Robinson, Clark, and Smith. Isaac evolved from the name Yitzchaq, derived from the Hebrew word, Lysander is a distinctive Greek name that could be thought of as a more creative cousin of Alexander. I communicate with them on Facebook. Most Common African-American Surnames: Origin & Meanings I worked for him as nurse for his children, and my full and correct name was OCTAVIA, but the family could not "catch on" to that long name and called me "LOTTIE" for short. See footnotes for source information. Some last names recognize certain histories or describe important events or narratives that mean a lot to the family. The three databases below provide details of 36,000 trans-Atlantic slave voyages, 10,000 intra-American ventures, names and personal information. My great grandfather Wilson Percival was born in South Carolina and I believe he took his surname from last slave owners family. is for you. The existence of those surnames in the area would help to verify, but also, you are fortunate to have the important oral history of that name change in the first place, since so many of us dont. The campaign in Britain to abolish slavery began in the 1760s, supported by both black and white abolitionists. Perhaps Wash Ellis registered under the name of one of his parents. One ancestor was known as Baber Masse, Elizabeth SENET and Elisabeth Leveille in different documents. The Missouri Compromisealso referred to as the Compromise of 1820was an agreement between the pro- and anti-slavery factions regulating slavery in the western territories. When I was born my mother was known as Phillis Smith and I took the name of Smith too. 3. Claudia Bautista,Santa Monica, Calif. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Top 130 French Last Names or Surnames With Meanings - FirstCry Parenting He took his last enslaver surname. Wesley is one of a group of W-starting surname names reminiscent of the Old West that are making a comeback -- though it's not as well used as it was in the 1970s, when he ranked as high as Number 66. "Slave revolts in Puerto Rico: conspiracies and uprisings, 17951873"; by: Guillermo A. Baralt; Markus Wiener Publishers; harvnb error: no target: CITEREFAssociation_of_Muslim_Social_ScientistsInternational_Institute_of_Islamic_Thought2008 (, sfnm error: no target: CITEREFSmith2001 (, sfnm error: no target: CITEREFWhite2016 (, sfn error: no target: CITEREFBrands2012 (, sfnm error: no target: CITEREFMcFeely1981 (, Last edited on 22 February 2023, at 03:19, sued her master for her freedom on that ground, United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, Diego Pacheco Tllez-Girn Gmez de Sandoval, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, South Carolina's 5th congressional district, List of the last surviving American slaves, Timeline of abolition of slavery and serfdom, Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, National Museum of African American History and Culture, "What is the divine purpose for sending prophets? In the late 1830s, Nathaniel Terry of Todd County, Kentucky died leaving a plantation of fifty slaves. Bailey, Word Stories Surrounding African American Slavery. I am sure your father would also be very proud of your interest in family history. I took the name of Jackson for the reason that I preferred to go by my fathers name, rather than the name of my last owner.. Hi Pat, For personal use and not for further distribution. Besides the Morrows, whom else did you live with in Louisville? Picked by several celebrities (a couple of times even for a girl), adding up to an enthusiastically recommended choice. Have you visited the Whitney Plantation yet? There are so many examples of every kind of scenario, and I think it just speaks to the variety of experiences our ancestors had. My great great grandfather in Mississippi took the surname of the previous SC enslaver, whose widow sold him away. that lists the slaves along with their surnames. He was a slave owner and, in 1800 as Chief Justice of New Brunswick, he supported slavery in defiance of British practice at the time. Start your year off with tips and strategies that can help you in the new year & beyond. Hi Rodney, In my research so far, I have found very little evidence of white Culbert slaveholders only three cases so far. The most common of 603 names of female Slaves were Bet, Mary, Jane, Hanna, Betty, Sarah, Phillis, Nan, Peg, and Sary. I think mostly about family separationas a mother now myself, the very idea that my dear child could be sold to who knows where, never to be seen again..just reduces me to tears anytime. These people are referred to as slaves, or as enslaved people. I was bornthe child of Phillis Houston, slave of Sol Smith. Each name was a clue to her origins. See more details in the flier here and they are available for purchase for $10 . One of my grandfathers in Africa was called Jeaceo, and so I decided to be Jackson. Practices undoubtedly varied, and different archival sources may yield different conclusions. Students examine how freed people in the United States sought to define freedom after Emancipation. Jamaica Slavery FamilySearch After emancipation, he moved back with his mother, brothers and sisters and used the Cobbs surname. LOTTIE had been the name of the nurse before me and so they just continued that same name. But the Slaves generally had two namesthe one given by the slave owner (e.g. Q. Slave Names Below are some best cute and catchy slave names: Infirm Mite Lunn Amanda Walter Garner Hannah Delia Bastard Inferior Weevil George O'Hanlon Jordan John Owen Rachel Fetid Spider Betty Nathan York John Wright Wicked Whelp Thornton Dick Field Robert Dick William Hunter William Sam Kiner Augustus Dick a/k/a Richard Ferguson Foul Beast Students learn about the period of violence in the South from 1873-1876 and examine its role in influencing elections and ending Republican control of Southern state governments. Slave Ship Manifests filed at New Orleans, 1807-1860 | National Archives You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one", "Friends are God's apologies for relations. You are the continuation of each of these people.". Slavery in the 1800s - The history of slavery ", "Case Overview: Ann Williams, Ann Maria Williams, Tobias Williams, & John Williams v. George Miller & George Miller Jr", "Augustine Tolton: From slavery to being the first black priest", "Cornish (and Other) Personal Names from the 10th Century Bodmin Manumissions", "Gospel-book with added Cornish records of manumissions ('The Bodmin Gospels' or 'St Petroc Gospels')", "Following Brigid's Way The Irish Catholic", Charity Folks, Lost Royalty, and the Bishop Family of Maryland and New York, "The Untold Story of How an Escaped Slave Helped Sir Francis Drake Circumnavigate the Globe", "Slave's 400-year-old grave in Dutch Jewish cemetery now a Black pilgrimage site" by Cnaan Lipshiz, Times of Israel, 6 February 2021, Roman Theater and Society: E. Togo Salmon Papers I, "Professor Says He Has Solved a Mystery Over a Slave's Novel", "Day of history to unfold in Muthill museum", "Cornelius Tacitus, The History, Book I, chapter 13", "An Old Actor's Memories; What Mt. Enslaved women were raped, creating children with white fathers who in most cases did not claim them and even sold them away. 9 'Facts' About Slavery They Don't Want You to Know | Snopes.com No, I dont know to whom she belonged before she was brought from Virginia to Kentucky. I love to hear from my readers. Washington: The 'blackest name' in America | The Seattle Times PDF Slave Names in Colonial South Carolina - Latin American Studies Tell me the name you were called before you met Phillip Fry? Theres always more to learn! I first wrote about this in this 2009 post: http://justthinking130.blogspot.com/2009/09/calvin-r-yarborough-where-it-all-began.html, And,then, more recently in 2013, here: http://justthinking130.blogspot.com/2013/11/many-rivers-to-cross-my-priscilla.html. Post Author: Post published: 18 avril 2022; Post Category: . Enslaved people remained legally nameless from the time of their capture until their purchase by American enslavers. Whereas names withAfrican, classical, or other unique origins were popular during enslavement, --- often continuingfrom one generation to the next and creating a distinctive nomenclature unlike that of southern whites -- free black peopleoften used more traditionally Anglicized versions of their first names. Benson, Susan. I make extensive use of tables for organization, analysis and citation in my research, and they have proven very popular with genealogists. Former slaves often made up surnames based on their occupations. Olympic speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno might inspire some parents. Enslaved people suffered constant sale, where children were frequently torn away from parents at young ages and spouses were often separated. ", "If you can't get rid of the skeleton in your closet, you might as well make it dance! Robyn. Genealogy becomes so much more than just names and dates, it really feels like a true passion indeed. But, my mtdna also said I share ancestry with the Kru people of Liberia and the Mende from Sierra Leonne! Top 100 Southern Surnames or Last Names With Meanings - FirstCry Parenting In fact, the previous enslaver widow sold most of the slaves. Copy this link, or click below to email it to a friend. A 2nd great grandmother for example was baptised Sarah Charlotte Chase; her mother is recorded as being Ann Lewis Chase. I was called by that name all the time I was with the Morrows. Societies. 41. This event is $12. Popular English baby names by decade - 1840s - 1990s 1840s 5 Robert - 53 Margaret - 47 The 1860s first saw the Rimmers' use of 1870s Boys Girls Total registered births - 1,944 1 John - 160 Mary - 151 The 1870s first saw the Rimmers' use of What was the first girl's name in the 1900s? Slaveholders and African Americans 1860-1870 - RootsWeb The surname issue really presents huge challenges for those of us doign this research, but you soulnd as though you are making headway. 100 Victorian Last Names With Meanings And History | Kidadl For example, Roll, Jordan,Roll has an entire chapter called The Naming of Cats, discussing slave names and The Slave Community has a very good chapter called The Slave Family. Two other books I like are Been In The Storm So Long by Leon Litwick (pgs 247-248)and Joining PLaces: Slave Neighborhoods in the Old South by Anthony Kaye. The poster on each page *provides the link to the handout* for that lecture, so be sure to copy it. This suggests most of those African-Americans probably did come about that name from prior slaveholders (since we know they likely werent from Scotland;):) I think you just have to include all the variations of Culbert to see how that could be the case. Some of these individuals probably lived through the Civil War to become named citizens in Ashley County, Arkansas and may have taken the last name of Hollaway/Holaway or Terry/Tery. LOTTIE had been the name of the nurse before me and so they just continued that same name. 20 August 2022, 1-3:30 pm [PAST EVENT], Eastern Standard Time: Join me for a two-hour lecture and workshop on Using Deed Records. Q. Thanks for adding your very experienced voice to the conversation. Thats a goal that I am working towards. Users without a subscription are not able to see the full content on CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW! Five of the slaves were sold to the Washingtons and brought to Wessyngton. You can read about this in the following two posts on my blog. Thomas: Thomas is a common surname of biblical origin meaning twin. CLARKE - The name comes from 'clerk, a clergyman, a scholar, one who can read and write' and is most prevalent in England, where some 89,337 people are recorded with this surname. E. Togo Salmon Conference, E. Togo Salmon Conference 1993 Mcmaster University: Goodyear III, Frank H. "Photography changes the way we record and respond to social issues". Slave surnames | Vita Brevis Such resistance signified continual deep-rooted discontent with the condition of bondage and, in some places, such as the United States, resulted in ever-more-stringent mechanisms for social control and repression in slaveholding areas. Louisiana, U.S., Records of Enslaved People, 1719-1820 - Ancestry.com Introduction. In instances where slaves were sold from their families and they did not retain their previous owners surnames, they named their children for parents, sisters and brothers to keep a connection with their families. Thus, the patronymic surname can be effectively regarded as "keeper of the peace." This phenomenon is not unheard of with African American surnames. Beginning in the early nineteenth century, more biblical names were given to enslavedchildren, a reflection of the widespread attempts to Christianize enslaved communities. My mothers name was Octavia Smith and it was from her that I got it but where the name came from to her I never knew. 18. Part of what drives me in this research, I think, is the feeling that I am reclaiming their stories, their names, and their very being, even if what I uncover is just a tiny bit. But if Romeo and Venus are now deemed baby-appropriate, why not Apollo? On all subsequent census records, he is listed as John Lewis. . I am the identical person who served in the said companies under the name of Lewis Smith. But the bureau also compiled lists of the fastest-growing surnames in the United States and these include Zhang, Li, Ali, Liu, and Khan - a testament to the wonderful diversity of our nation. This was the case with several others from Wessyngton. I liked the name better than Octavia, and so I took it with me to Danville, and was never called anything else there than that name. i did a simple search of the 1860 slave schedule using the name Culbert and came up with slaveholders in MS,VA,NC,AL,GA and SC holding 17 enslaved people. The table below shows the most common last names with statistics on the heritage and ancestry of those with the surname. How did you ever come by the name of "Mollie"? The name James has been a popular Victorian male names in the 1800s. Search 31 million family names. "While African-American genealogical research in many ways is like all genealogical research, the era of slavery makes the task especially challenging. Robyn, Unraveling the origins of FPOC and slaves in Francophone Louisiana takes some thinking outside the fact, meticulous research ,familiarity with the local culture, history and a bit of serendipity on your side. how the surnames former slaves had were connected to their experiences in slavery. For example, I know of one Louisiana family whose surname of Poulard evolved from a ancestor of the Poular nation(aka Fulani). .When I got home after the war, I was wearing the name of Lewis Smith, but I found that the negroes after freedom, were taking the names of their father like the white folks. Melvin, I presume no death certificate for her survives? The most common origin for surnames is that enslaved people initially used the surname of either their mother or their father, if they knew what those names were. Private names used in the quarters included Abah, Bilah, Comba, Dibb, Juba, Kauchee, Mima, and Sena. It means 'bought land'. The new surnames, usually not taken from a former slave owner, included: Williams, Jones, Johnson, Smith, Jackson, Thomas, Brown, Walker, Davis, Green, Robinson, Scott, Harris, Turner, and Anderson. Until recently, scholarly consensus was that early African American names did not differ significantly from those of white Americans. Ones occupation also set the naming method, such as Sheperd, Cooper, or Smith. Runaway ads illustrate how many slaveholders knew the surnames of their slaves. Register now! . You can read the introductory maps for a high-level guided explanation, view the timeline and chronology of . Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2006. This may reveal your family used the surname of the slave owners wifes family. Also included here are common names among slaves, many of which were classical and had ties to the Bible or mythology, such as Keziah and Venus. The same family may appear with different surnames in the 1870 and 1880 federal census records, and may appear in other records with either, both, or a third surname altogether. This is such a well-written and informative post one that I know will open many eyes to the complexity of slave surnames, as well as many other aspects of the lives of the enslaved. A. I was first called by that name in the family of Col. Morrow in whose service I was in Louisville, Ky., just after the war.
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