All, There are many reasons why slaves may have chosen the names they did. Examples can be cited that cover all of the aforementioned situations, like: * formerly enslaved took surname of last or prior slaveowning family * formerly enslaved took surname of own choosing * formerly enslaved were known by surnames within the enslaved community * and on, and on Some sources you may want to consult: Black Family in Slavery and Freedom, 1750-1925 by Herbert George Gutman, Paperback - 664 pages (August 1977) Random House (Paper); ISBN: 0394724518 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.52 x 9.18 x 6.12 One that pertains to the Civil War vets of the 104th US Colored Troops, some members who joined from the Sumter District & Williamsburg District areas: 104th Infantry Regiment, USCT - Colored Civil War Soldiers from South Carolina by J. Raymond Gourdin, Paperback - 242 pages (1997) Heritage Books, Inc; ISBN:078840718X To cite some examples of why the formerly enslaved changed their names from Gourdin's book, as cited in the Civil War Pension files: "...went by the name of Fortune Bailey before and after the Civil War, but after the war I took my father's name of Ladson and have gone by that name ever since." p. 107 "I got the name Richardson from my master, but after the War...I took my father's name of Sinkler..." p. 188 "My father was Peter Bennett, and he belonged to Washington Coakley." "My maiden name was Roxana Bennett. I was never known by any other name than Bennett before mariage, then Coakley and Wright after my marriage to the soldier." pg 47 >From the above, I hope that you see it is difficult to make generalizations as to how or why the formerly enslaved took the names they did. Do not also forget that many people, black and white, changed their surnames numerous times for various reasons. Hope this helps, Damita Drayton Green dldgreen@erols.com Researching LOGAN*MITCHELL*NELSON*OLIVER*SINKLER*WILDER and so many more in Clarendon & Sumter Counties.