Cognomen

• Cognomen was the Family Surname required by Roman Citizenship in use between c.700 BCE to c.300 CE.
• Roman Names consisted of the First Name, the Clan Name and the Family Surname.

Men’s Names

1. Praenomina First Name.
   • These fell into disuse after the 2nd century CE.
   • Chosen by the parents and different for each child.
   • The next generation chose the same Praenomina to distinguish that family from other families. So grandfather, father and son would often have the same Praenomina.
2. Nomen Clan Name.
   • This designated which clan or Gens the citizen belonged to.
   • It didn’t change and was passed down from father to son.
3. Cognomen Family Surname.
   • These were added as Praenomina (First Names) fell into disuse after 100 BCE.
   • They changed from individual to individual. They were chosen by the individual and could be selected from nicknames, place of origin names, type of occupation, etc,.
   • Individuals could have 3 or 4 Cognomen.

Women’s Names

1. Praenomina
   • Women did not have a Praenomina from the Late Republic onwards.
2. Nomen
   • This was the same as the Father’s Clan name.
   • To distinguish four daughters named Claudia: Claudia Major, Claudia Minor, Claudia Tertia, Claudia Quartia.
3. Cognomen
   • From the second century CE onwards a feminine form of the Father’s Cognomen would be added.