DNA-R1B1C7-L Archives

Archiver > DNA-R1B1C7 > 2008-10 > 1223389626


From: "David Ewing" <>
Subject: Re: [DNA-R1B1C7] Dubious Paternity descriptions
Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 08:27:06 -0600


Don't forget that a man can end up with a surname not belonging to his
biological father in many ways that do not involve any extra-marital
affairs, so we don't want to choose a term that implies such. I am sure this
is not a complete list, but for starters:

One can be adopted, formally or informally, and take the name of the
adoptive father and/or mother. One can choose or be assigned a new surname
for a host of reasons, ranging from running from the law to moving from one
culture into another that has different surname practices. Some slaves took
their former master's names, many others took surnames of people they
admired. Many people at Ellis Island were given new surnames because the
American officials there found the actual names difficult. Names can be just
flat made up from scratch. Many Navajos nowadays have the surname Begay,
because when asked their names long ago, they gave their father's name and
added "Begay," which means "his son" in Navajo.

David Ewing

This thread: