Profeten och Blodkamsen: En samling binamn i 1680-talets domböcker från Hammerdals socken

The primary goal of this study is to highlight district court records as a valuable source for understanding the use of bynames at the end of the 17th century. I examine bynames such as Profeten, Herr Anders, Kampen, Brådd, Knuveren, Linkhussen, Blodkamsen, Bruden, Bölderna, Stengräva, Bugårds, Selkrok, Skakelträ, Sesselskiten, Strandstryckel, Godgubben, Långsida, Kinfag and Rosengård. My analysis focuses on their semantic meanings and explores why specific individuals were assigned these bynames. The bynames were attributed to certain peasants in two particular villages and members of the parish vicar’s family.

The findings indicate that the majority of bynames were derived from a person’s appearance, character, habits, or notable events associated with the individual. Furthermore, the data reveals a gender disparity in the assignment of bynames, with significantly fewer women in the villages being designated with such names. The discrepancy is likely due to their lower representation in official records and the absence of a formal status that could be impacted by the use of bynames.

The involvement of the district court in addressing this practice appears to have been motivated by the potentially derogatory nature of some bynames and their association with accusations of sexual harassment among adolescents. The court likely sought to eliminate these issues altogether. However, due to the inability to trace the origins of specific bynames, the accused individuals were ultimately issued warnings. Cases involving sexual harassment were referred to the ecclesiastical court for further adjudication.