Cognomen

The cognomen ( Latin for " qualifier", literally " household name ", plural Cognomina ) was often the third part of the name of the regular Roman names ( tria nomina ). Originally Cognomina probably the single carrier characterizing In or nickname (eg Cicero, derived from cicer " chickpea "; Crassus by crassus 'fat' ), but were later partially within a family (gens ) hereditary, where usually only the oldest son took over his father's cognomen. A younger son had his cognomen then the name of the mother or derive any other way.

Since there are so well served the distinction with the same name, it can be considered a forerunner of the modern surname, which have developed in Europe until the 13th century; it means in today's Italian and Catalan language, which go back as the other Romance languages ​​to Latin, cognome or cognom "Last Name".

Freed slaves usually led their previous ( single ) name as a cognomen, while they took over Prae and Gentil omen of their former master.

Known Roman Cognomina are, for example, Scipio, Caesar, Brutus and Cicero. More Cognomina are in the list of Roman Cognomina.

To be distinguished from the cognomen is the Agnomen, an additional epithet, which featured a striking property of a person or granted following ( military ) success (eg Africanus, Germanicus ).

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