Squeaking in for Surname Saturday (in somebody else’s timezone…)…
Today, I bring you the launch of the Latvian Surname Project!
The most common search term that brings people to my blog is “Latvian surnames”. Therefore, I thought starting a resource on Latvian surnames and their meanings could be helpful to a lot of people.
So far, there are only 207 names, but this is a work in progress, and new names will be uploaded regularly. If you have any submissions, do share them! Guidelines are on the main page.
Any questions or comments, do let me know! If you have any other ideas for answers I should add to the FAQs on the main page, please mention them too. I’m not an expert (yet), but since there is a lack of information out there on Latvian surnames, especially information accessible to people who don’t speak Latvian, I thought this could be a good way for me to help people looking to get a start on learning about their Latvian ancestors.
Have fun! More project launches and updates to come – stay tuned!
I am trying to trace the HELLWIG family from the 1871 era in what is now called Ventspills
Hi I’m trying to find out more information on my family from Latvia. On my fathers side.
His name was Miervaldis Kargans who was born 3rd Janruary 1924 He had a brother Rollands who was killed in the second world war. His father was called Alfred and mother called Leontine. My father was put into a DP camp too and came accross to England docking at Hull. Sadly he died in 1981 but want to find out more about him:D He used to play for Venta basket ball team too. Many thanks Brigita:D
Hello,
Is it Latvian surname Stakutis, or Стыкутов?
BR
Saulius
Warren,
Please read my blog post Getting Started with Latvian Research if you are looking for tips on finding your ancestors.
Hellwig sounds like a German name. Were your ancestors ethnic Latvians or Baltic Germans?
Brigita,
I would also recommend reading my guide to getting started in Latvian research (link above in comment to Warren). By contacing the ITS you should be able to get his DP paperwork so that you can get started on your research. Let me know if you have any further questions.
Saulius,
I have not heard of the name Stakutis, but it could be a Latvian name. The grammatical endings are correct, though it could also be Lithuanian. Latvian does not use the Cyrillic alphabet, so Стыкутов would not be how that name would be written if it belonged to a Latvian, it might be written Stikutov. This sounds like a Russian name, though it could be held by a Latvian since a number of Latvians took Slavic-sounding surnames when it was time to choose surnames.
In 19 century in Lithuania and Latvia was used Cirillic in church books.
Стыкутовы were near from Asune (its from lvva-raduraksti.lv) also in books from Debeikiai (near Anykščiai, LT) it was written the same.
Also thank you for Latvian suggestion
BR
Saulius
Ah, okay, I thought you meant that was how it was written now. In church books, writing in Russian (and therefore Cyrillic alphabet) for Lutheran parishes only really started in the 1890s in Latvia (and some parishes never made the switch, sticking to German instead), but Orthodox parishes already used Russian. I am not sure about other religious denominations, or how it was done in Lithuania.
Hi, I am pulling my hair out researching Gudziunaite from Libau, Latvia. She had a daughter Valle born in 1920. I would appreciate any direction or help.
Hi, I have added my fathers name on here before (Aloizs Vizulis). His Parents were called Meikuls and Veronika. I am now trying to trace any family members and would appreciate any help at all? Thanks, Alison
I am married to a Latvian…I am trying to find the marriage information of Mikelis Jansons b 19 Oct 1877 [possibly in Liepajas] his father was Stephan Jansons[no info on him or his wife Anna Rehrich}. Mikelis married Anna Karklins b.18Nov 1893.she d. 03 may 1960 Maywood, IL, USA. he d.9Nov1964 Maywood, IL,USA. Anna’s parents were Jukum Karklins and Ilse Niedrite.No info on these folk either.
Am also trying to find info on Peteris Dolfijs and Kristina Upite/upit these folks remained in Latvia and died there…I have no info other than Peteris was a sexton of a church…thank you for any information you might have.
My last name is krastins and i just found my last name on your database. It says ‘by the coast’. I have been told my grandfather that it originates from ‘blacksmith’. Could this be possible or similar in any way?
Hi, my boyfriend’s grandfather was from Latvia. His surname was Vingra or Wingra. Do you know anything about that name? What it means, etc?
After any information on lativan surnames assmanis , jozovskis, and brancis.
after any information on marriage of elfrida assmanis to august jozovskis, about 1943-1944 , august later died in the war xmas eve 1944 . any information on teodors brancis too pllz
Hi there,
My grandfather is Latvian. He was forced to fight for German army during WWII and never returned home to Latvia. Therefore he never saw his family again, so this is why I am searching to try and discover where his family may have ended up.
His surname is Ruks, I am told a very popular Latvian name. My mother heard through someone that there are lots of “Ruks’” in USA.
I would appreciate any help on this….
Thanks.
I have one surname to suggest. This is the name of my boyfriend’s great-grandmother who emmigrated to the United States in the 1950′s after living in a refugee camp in German and being sponsored by another Latvian family living here.
The surname is: Pernics (Not sure if this is the correct Latvian spelling).
Thanks! This is an amazing site!
Cien. Antra! Apskatījos Jūsu sarakstu ar latviešu uzvārdiem, un konstatēju, ka tajā nav mana
VIZULIS (tas ir cēlies no Baltinavas, Zelču/Zeļču ciema). Iepriekš pateicos, Ernests
P.S. Pavisam nesen, es palīdzēju kādai sievietei, kurai tēvs (Aloizs Vizulis) 2. pasaules kara laikā bija devies bēgļu gaitās, un nokļuva UK. Pēc tēva nāves šī sieviete (kura starpcitu 16-Jun-2010 ir ierakstījusi komentāru Jusu mājas lapā), nesen mani uzrunāja “facebook”, ar lūgumu noskaidrot kaut ko par viņas tēva izcelsmi. Un nedaudz vēlāk arī tika atrasti Latvijā dzīvojošie radi (māsīcas/brālēni).
I saw your listing of Latvian names and even more interested that you have our surname, “ZALDATS” listed!!!!
My father and his family Lived in Jaunlutrini, Saldus … and we are struggling to find anyone else with our surname
Hello,
I am from India, I do some Wellness Activity for under developed countries, resent a fund allotted for a person from Latvia who’s surname mentioned as Dee Vee which may be short form of his surname. Due to incomplete surname it’s difficult to disburse the allotted fund to the person.
If anybody can say the actual surname against Dee Vee then it’ll be helpful for the person to get the fund.
Please note the person may be migrated from neighboring Country.
hello im looking for my mothers maiden name which is MUNCIS and grandmothers which is DANIELIS…they were displaced latvians sent to germany to many dp camps….came to uk england in 1950..
EDITE MUNCIS….RUDOLFS MUNCIS……ILZE DANIELIS……MARTINS DANIELIS…..ELVIRA MUNCIS NEE DANIELIS………many thanks
hi i need help with deadend of my research do you have a contact email i can contact u privatly on ?
My oldest known ancestor Pēteris Ulmkalns was born after the turn of the 18th century. The only data that we have about him is that he had two sons. The elder was named Mačs (roughly pronounced: Match) who in 1795 lived at the Ulms’ farmstead with his three daughters: Laža (born 1781), Greta (1791) and Līze (1790).
Ulms farmstead still exist, now called Ulmi – http://www.celotajs.lv/a/ulmi/index_en.html
Hi all!
I am interested in names Burkewitz, Freyman, Zivert, Dzebra/Žebra, Kampe.
My grandmother was kapust and my great grandfather hinz…both born in the 19th century in riga
Hej, hittar inte mitt efternamn i registret o undrar om någon vet något om detta, är född 1938 kom till Sverige okt. 1944
MVH
Heter även Imants