Lecture Notes from Boston Seminar 1996 by Lauren B. Eisenberg Davis Surnames were not always fixed or permanent in the way we consider them today. This discussion involves the manifestations of alternate surnames in the towns of Checiny, Poland and Krasnystaw, Poland, with an illustration of a case study from Krasnystaw. Most cases of 'vel' represent a transition between two names.
Confusion can arise for names that qualify as either a surname or given name.
The last manifestation is the most difficult to trace. It becomes crucial to consider all facts on vital registrations, including patronyms, ages, occupations in order to match families of seemingly different surnames. One branch of the Manela-Kwart clan began to use the surname Goldrat around 1822. The concrete connection was only possible due to the family of a married sister of the man whose children's registrations reflected this surname change. Although most Checiny women registered by patronym, this woman used her maiden names of Manela and Kwart, and eventually Goldrat as well.