If occupational names were uncommon, when did they come into use? Smed is also Belgian for Smith [ de Smed ] And they have Koopmans ----- Original Message ----- From: "Olaf" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, June 20, 2003 11:32 PM Subject: [GEN-NORDIC] Occupational names. > Hi Bo! > In earlier times occupational names did not seem to be very common, > presumably because of the patronymic and farm name systems. Even our very > common Smith's equivalent, Smed is only used by 5 people in 2001. > Incidentally, Kjøbmand has its equivalent in Scotland as Chapman. > Olaf > > > > Were occupational names common as family names in the Nordic area? > > > > For instance "Kjobmand " only gives abt 88 hits on Google. > > And many are for the same person... > > >

Hei! I was referring to Norwegian names. But I did read an article in a Danish newspaper some time ago where they listed the most common names in Denmark. Only when they got past 20 'sen' names did an occupational name come in at # 21 - Møller (miller) and then more 'sen' names. Olaf > If occupational names were uncommon, when did they come into use? > > Smed is also Belgian for Smith [ de Smed ] > And they have Koopmans > > Hi Bo! > > In earlier times occupational names did not seem to be very common, > > presumably because of the patronymic and farm name systems. Even our very > > common Smith's equivalent, Smed is only used by 5 people in 2001. > > Incidentally, Kjøbmand has its equivalent in Scotland as Chapman. > > Olaf > > > > > > > Were occupational names common as family names in the Nordic area? > > > > > > For instance "Kjobmand " only gives abt 88 hits on Google. > > > And many are for the same person... > > > > > > >