The polyonymy in the baptismal records of the Deanery Łunna (the north-eastern territory of the former Poland) in a cultural and sociological context
The polyonymy in the baptismal records of the Deanery Łunna (the north-eastern territory of the former Poland) in a cultural and sociological context

Summary/Abstract: The article focuses on the phenomenon of polyonymy in the north-eastern territory of former Poland in the 1920’s. This was a special period in Poland’s history as the country, until it regained its independence in 1918, had for many years been a part of the Russian Empire. The main purpose of this work was to show a special case of polyonymy in the context of high frequency of giving three to four baptismal names to the children in the aristocratic Bisping family in Wielkie Eysymonty parish (Łunna deanery, Wilno diocese). In the children’s baptismal records there were as many as 18 names of their mother Maria Józefa Bisping of the noble Zamoyski family, and three names of their father Jan Bisping Massalan’s entailer. The tradition of giving two or more Christian names to one person was rooted in the need of intercession with a larger number of patron saints, and also of honouring namesakes from among family and aristocratic protectors alike. Polyonymy in the Bisping family influenced the naming traditions cultivated by other W. Eysymonty parishioners; many children in this parish were baptized with two names. The anthroponymic material comes from metrical books kept in the Diocesan Archive in Białystok.

• Details
• Contents