The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

HOUSE NAMES

IN THE TOWN OF RONRIED IN ALLGOW, BAVARIA, EVERYONE HAS TWO
NAMES. THE SURNAME IS USED FOR CIVIC AND RELIGIOUS PURPOSES,
BUT AMONG THE TOWNSPEOPLE EVERYONE HAS A HOUSE NAME BASED ON
THEIR OCCUPATION OR ON AN INCIDENT IN THEIR ANCESTRY.
FOR EXAMPLE: MY FATHER'S NAME ON ANY DOCUMENT IN GERMANY WOULD
BE WRITTEN EBERSPACHER, ALOIS, BUT TO ALL HIS FRIENDS IN
RONRIED HE IS KNOWN AS SCHMID ALOIS BECAUSE MY DAD'S FATHER
WAS THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Date learned: 10-10-1968