Síðarnefnd

Síðarnefnd is an Icelandic term used in scholarly editing and historiography to indicate that a person, place, or thing is named or designated in later sources, or by a later designation, rather than in the original text being discussed. The phrase literally means “named later” and is applied to distinguish names that appear only in subsequent accounts from those that appear in the primary source.

The term is formed from síðar, meaning “later,” and nefnd, meaning “named.” It functions as an attributive descriptor in historical writing and editorial practice. In practice, síðarnefnd is used to mark a figure who is known by a later name or epithet in serial editions, biographical dictionaries, or genealogical lists. It helps editors and readers track how a person or entity is identified across different sources and time periods, and it can aid in differentiating individuals who share a common name.

Síðarnefnd is most commonly encountered in scholarly editions, critical note sections, and historical compilations where name changes, titles, or epithets appear after the initial mention. It is part of broader editorial conventions that aim to preserve accuracy while guiding readers through the evolution of naming in historical sources.

See also: onomastics, historiography, textual criticism.