Background to the Odens Family Name

In my previous genealogical musing, I mentioned that the name of the son of Ode Goltz was Johann Hermans, born in Loppersum, Germany, in 1636. What strikes us immediately is that there is no evident family connection revealed in the names of the father and son! This seems so strange to us, who are accustomed to having and knowing family connections as revealed by people’s last names.

What is helpful for us to realize is that in Germany, Holland and other European countries, until 1811 each successive generation often had a different surname than the previous generation of the family. Furthermore, that surname may have been chosen from different sources in succeeding generations!

Consider, for example, our Odens heritage. Going back to the early 17th century, we start with Ode Goltz, whose son is named Johann Hermans. However, Johann’s son who became our ancestor, born in 1672, is named Harmen Janssen. Harmen’s son, born in about 1696, is named Ode Harmens Ohden. Then Ode Harmens Ohden’s son, born on January 14 in either 1723 or 1724, is named David Ohdens. This David Ohdens proceeds to beget a son born in Loppersum on May 29, 1755, naming him Ode Davids Odens.

It is not until Ode Davids Odens fathers a son named Boldewyn Ode Odens, born on January 22, 1790, that a succeeding generation in our known family line carries the identical surname to that of either or both of the parents! I dare say we would have a difficult time dealing with such a situation, if it existed today.

Why was this the case? Well, especially in Ostfriesland, Holland, and surrounding areas before that time, surnames were generally chosen from four main sources. A surname could be chosen based on where the person was born or lived, a nickname given to him, the person’s occupation, or the name of either one’s father or mother!

So, going back to our family line, since we do not know the name of Ode Goltz’ wife, we do not have any idea why their son is named Johann Hermans. Nor can we be sure about the reason Johann’s son is named Harmen Janssen, although I have my guesses. It would be no surprise to me at all if Harmen’s first name was based on his father’s surname, and that Harmen’s surname was from his mother.

Whatever the case with the background to Harmen’s name, it is his son whose name begins to give us the beginning of a sense of order and stability in the naming process. We see this orderliness more clearly when we realize that Harmen’s wife was Ancke Ohden. So when they named their son Ode Harmens Ohden, most likely he was being identified with his great-grandfather (Ode), his father (Harmen) and his mother (Ohden).

When Ode Harmens Ohden names his son David Ohdens, the similarity in last names makes us begin to sense that some regularity and order in the naming process may be developing. It also gives us a hint that the “s” at the end of the name indicates family connection.

This name business all comes together with the birth of Ode Davids Odens. There is a clear paternal family connection in all three of his names, Ode representing his grandfather and great-great-grandfather, Davids representing his father’s first name and Odens representing and slightly revising his father’s surname.

The surname of our Odens family line has remained constant since Ode Davids Odens’ time. Why? It is not only because it was more orderly, more predictable, more traceable, more sensible, etc. It is also because in 1811 Napoleon, as the ruling emperor whose army occupied much of the territory, issued a decree that forced every person to adopt a given name and a surname. His decree included the following article, to which I have made a few spelling and punctuation corrections: The family name, which the father, or, by indisposition of him, the grandfather on the father’s side, will accept, or which name will be granted, will be given to all children, which will be bound to carry the same family name in the certificates; therefore the father, or, by indisposition the grandfather, the children and grandchildren will mention in his registration as well as the place of living; and for our subjects whose father, or by his indisposition, their grandfather is still alive, have only to state that he is alive and give his place of living. The outcome of this was that the practice of giving children the surname of the father became standard.

In case you didn’t catch this, from our perspective the Odens surname originated, not from one of our forefathers but from one of our foremothers: Ancke Ohden! Of course, not knowing her lineage we have no way of knowing whether her surname came from her father or her mother, or from some other source.

I, for one, am thankful for the sense of continuity and connectedness that resulted from Napoleon’s decree. However, even if we were still practicing what seems to be a convoluted and confusing system of name-giving, the investigation of the naming process in connection with our lineage provides a wonderful opportunity to remember and revel in names that I have been given which are far more significant and awe-inspiring than my earthly surname. I definitely and highly appreciate the name Odens, but I treasure much more the name of Christian. I am thankful I bear the family name of my earthly father, but that just points me to the grace of God which enables me to be one of those upon whom the name of my heavenly Father has been called (Amos 9:11-12; Acts 15:13-20).

I’m not sure how individual identification will take place when we are with the Lord. That is a matter of curiosity for me, but not of any present concern. However, I am sure and take great comfort in the fact that, because of His mercy and kindness, I will forever be identified with Him, called by His name.

© 2019 by James A. Odens