Answer to Question: When did Surnames Begin in New York?

Duke asked

Old Dutch records are found with family names, patronyms, surnames and sometimes a combination of names. When did the English first demand the use of surnames? Does a record exist with the new names, or were they destroyed durning the Revolution

Olive Tree Answer: Duke, that's a very good question. The Dutch in the Netherlands did not require surnames until the time of Napolean but in the New World, that requirement came much sooner.

In 1674, New Netherland was ceded to the British by treaty, and renamed New York. The British quickly became frustrated by the practice of patronymics and the difficulties it created for the government. The practice of using a patronymic to identify individuals was confusing to the British and so their use was discouraged in favour of one surname for everyone in the same family.

Although Patronymics ended theoretically under English rule in 1687, not everyone followed the new guidelines. You will find individuals in official records who followed the new rules and used a surname, but you will also find those who continued to use their patronymics into the early 1700s. In fact some individuals switched about, from a new surname to their old patronymic so it can be a bit confusing when looking through records of that time.

You may wish to read Understanding Patronyics for more information on this interesting subject.

Finding Proof of Parents in 18th Century New Jersey

Jerry asked:

According to a Family File, Sander Egberts and Elsje Pieters had a son named Sander Egberts who was born in 1695 in Staten Island, Richmond, New York. He married Trinite Wallings Van Winckel. Their children were: Walling, John, Peter, Else, and Antie Egberts.

Sander (Senior) and Elsje's other children may have been Trynte Sanders, Egbert Sanders, Johannis Sanders, Peter Sanders, Annetje Sanders and Herpje (Harmtje) Sanders. I need proof that my Peter Sanders was a son of Sander Eberts

Olive Tree Answer: Hi Jerry, I think there is a small error in your Family File. Here is an excerpt from the will of Egbert Sanderson of New Jersey:

SANDERSON, Egbert, of Newark, Essex Co. yeoman. will of. Children - Waalens, John and Peter Egbertson, Elsie (wife of Cornelius Doremus Jr) and Antie Egbertson. Executors - three sons. Witnessees - Reiner Van Giesen, Peter Garmo, Jon'n. Sergeant. Written 16 Feb. 1748/9 Proved 7 Aug. 1749

It seems from the will above, that your Peter was not the son of Sanders Egbertse but the son of Egbert Sanderson [Sanderse]. Following Dutch patronymics, Egbert Sanderson would be the son of a man named Sander.

There is also this will:

EGBERTS, Peter of Essex Co. gentleman. will of. Brothers - John and Waling Egberts. Sisters - Antje and Else Egberts. Executors - John Vinsent [sic] and Abram Brooks. Witnesses - John Degarmo, Cornelius Van Geisen, Peter De Garmo. Written 26 Aug. 1740 Proved 11 Sept. 1749

Source for both wills: Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey, Vol. II 1730-1750 . William Nelson and A. Van Doren Honeyman.