German family names have gradually established themselves in the German-speaking world since the 12th century. However, it was not until 1875 that civil registries were introduced in the German Empire, and names were officially recorded. Since then, every German has a first name, a possible middle name, and a family name, in that order. In this volume from 1920, Alfred Bähnisch presents German personal names. Starting with the period of single names and the emergence of family names, he describes the origins of names derived from landscapes, places of residence, dwellings, offices, status, and professions, as well as foreign-language names, among others. Includes an alphabetical index of names. Reprint of the original edition from 1920.