An absolutely fascinating page on German naming conventions has shed a great deal of light on why you find two or three different names for the same person. His explanations on John is worth the reading alone! We’ve all found the same name occurring over and over again within a family. Read this page and you’ll find several “detailed naming patterns practiced by some families“.

Coffman

Kauffman ~ Kaufman ~ Cofman ~ Caufman ~ Cauffman ~ Coufman ~ Couffman ~ Koffman ~ Kofman ~ Coughman ~ Khoufmann ~ Cawfman ~ Coafman ~ Coofman ~ Cuffman

Abraham

Abram ~ Abrm ~ Ab ~ Abe

Livingston

Livingstone ~ Levingston

Bascom

Bascome ~ Bascum ~ Bascomb ~ Bascombe ~ Baskecomb

Pearman

Perman ~ Pealman ~ Peirman ~ Pierman ~ Parman ~ Pirman, and believe it or not Phyrman.

Wisecarver

Whitescarver ~ Weissgerber ~ Witescarver

Updated May 17, 2019