zweitgenannt

Zweitgenannt is a German term that translates to "second-named" or "also known as." It is commonly used in historical and genealogical contexts to refer to individuals who were known by more than one name during their lifetime. This could occur for several reasons.

One frequent cause for being zweitgenannt was a change in marital status. For instance, a woman would typically be known by her maiden name and then by her married name. In official records or historical accounts, she might be referred to as "Anna Müller, zweitgenannt Schmidt" to indicate her prior surname. Similarly, individuals might adopt a new surname for professional reasons, social advancement, or to distinguish themselves from others with the same name.

Another reason for being zweitgenannt could be the use of a nickname or a more commonly used name that differed from their official given name. Some individuals were also known by a patronymic or a toponymic identifier, especially in periods where surnames were not yet standardized. The term helps clarify identity when multiple appellations are encountered for the same person in historical documents.