Noble family names as a source of lithuanian surnames

Abstract

1. Inthe middle of 16^th century the names of Lithuanian noble families were used as names of individual nobles, but there were no surnames.

2. At the end of 17^th century the names of Lithuanian noble family names became surnames. A noble family name could be transformed into a personal name directly or indirectly: an additional suffix might be added, a suffix might be dropped or a suffix might be changed.

3. Most surnames which were derived from noble family names at the end of 17^th century have survived until the present time.