„Fond” names. On a type of family names with a Latvian background Cover Image

„HELLAD” NIMED. ÜHEST LÄTITAUSTALISEST PEREKONNANIMETÜÜBIST
„Fond” names. On a type of family names with a Latvian background

Author(s): Lembit Vaba
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies
Published by: Teaduste Akadeemia Kirjastus
Keywords: onomastics; family name studies ; Fond names ; type of family names ; Latvian background

Summary/Abstract: The paper is one of a series analysing Estonian family names with a possible Latvian origin. The aim of this study is to verify the hypothesis that the reliability of etymological analysis of family names could be enhanced if some regular elements (mostly affixes) characteristic of Latvian family names could be pointed out in addition to the Latvian appellative assumed to lie at the base of the name. In this way, certain morphologically complex names would become much more transparent, revealing Latvian patterns as additional evidence of the name having indeed been born in the context of the Latvian language and culture. The focus of the paper lies on the Estonian family names containing a diminutive suffix (or part of one) that could possibly be of Latvian origin.

  • Issue Year: 2003
  • Issue No: 49
  • Page Range: 050-082
  • Page Count: 32
  • Language: Estonian