Die Entwicklung der graphischen Formen von Nachnamen in der südlichen Subregion Teschener Schlesien

Abstract

In this article there have been analysed the surnames of the South Teschinensis Silesia region during the period from the end of 18th till the beginning of 20th century. In this period the surname was already morphologically shaped, however its graphical form was unstable during the whole discussed period. The discussed period has been divided into four phases that have been analysed on the basis of different graphical forms of the surnames. The graphical notation of the surnames particularly reflects Polish and German spelling features, as well as the dialect and regional influences. The number of different notations of a surname was decreasing over the course of time. During the first and last phase Polish spelling prevails, while during the second and third phases the surnames with German graphical elements are dominant. That fact reflects the social and political situation of the region: escalation of Germanization from the end of 18th century till the middle of 19th century, and by the end of 19th century Polonization tendencies.