Navajo surnames have distinct origins and meanings. They are the result of the language, culture and history of this major Native American tribe. The name Navajo itself is believed to come from a combination of words in the Tewa language, spoken by a number of Native American tribes in the Rio Grande region of modern New Mexico, who were collectively known as the Pueblo people. In the Tewa language Navajo means "farm fields in the valley," reflecting the tribe's agricultural practices[1]. In their own language the Navajo referred to themselves as the Diné, meaning "(the) people". Today The Navajo are the largest federally recognised Native American tribe in the United States.
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The traditional Navajo homeland was centered over a large area of the American southwest, covering parts of the modern states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. Originally the Navajo were semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers. They later adopted farming techniques from the Pueblo people. After coming into contact with the Spanish in the 16th century, the Navajo also began herding sheep and goats. This became an important part of their economy and culture.
In the mid-19th century the U.S. government forcibly relocated thousands of Navajo to a reservation in eastern New Mexico--an event known as the Long Walk. But within a few years, the Navajo were allowed to return to a portion of their ancestral lands. Over the following decades, the Navajo Reservation was expanded and today the Navajo Nation covers over 70,000 km2 (27,000 square miles). This makes it the largest Native American reservation in the United States[2].
Navajo society was matrilineal[3]. Descent, inheritance rules and naming conventions all reflected this society. Navajo elders also played a vital role in naming Navajo children. The Navajo community looked to these elders to ensure that the names bestowed were consistent with their traditions and culture and were meaningful.
Navajo names typically came from one of several different sources:
- The Navajo language itself, for example:
- Nez:'"tall" or "big.
- Yazzie: from "yázhí," meaning "little."
- Tsosie: from the suffix "-tsʼósí," meaning "slender" or "slim," often used in longer names to denote physical characteristics.
- Peshlakai: derived from the Navajo words "béésh" meaning "metal" and "łigaii" meaning "white": in other words referring to the colour silver.
- Uentillie: derived from the Navajo words ayóí meaning "very" and áníldííl meaning "husky, large".
- Navajo clans. This includes the four Navajo clans, Kinyaa'áanii (The Towering House clan), Honágháahnii (One-walks-around clan), Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water clan) and Hashtł'ishnii (Mud clan)[4] and smaller, but still distinct, Navajo communities:
- An individual's role in the Navajo's community:
- Geography or a physical feature significant to the Navajo:
- Chee: "mountain".
- Tsinajinnie: "black-streak clan," likely a Navajo community who were connected to a specific geographic connection.
- Chilchinbeto: an Arizona location in the Navajo Nation known for its beauty and natural resources.
- Kaibeto: another location in Arizona important to the Navajo.
During the early interactions with European settlers, reinforced later in dealings with officials and agents of the U.S. government, many Navajo adopted surnames as a practical necessity. They found this necessary to conform to the administrative requirements of the now dominant society. These Western-style surnames were literal translations, accidental mistranslations or adaptations of their original Navajo names which sometimes incorporated a Western element.
A good example is the surname Begay. A common Navajo surname today, Begay is a Western derivation of the Navajo word biye, meaning "son." This was frequently adopted as a surname among the Navajo when Native Americans were required by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to formally adopt surnames for the purpose of official records.
Notwithstanding the adoption of Western surnames, there is still a degree of fluidity among the Navajo with respect to names. Individuals may receive new names throughout their lives, reflecting significant life changes or achievements.
Several notable public figures bear Navajo surnames:
- Chester Nez: One of the original Navajo Code Talkers during World War II, Chester Nez played a crucial role in developing a code based on the Navajo language that was unbreakable by enemy forces. His contributions were vital to the success of U.S. military operations in the Pacific.
- Radmilla Cody: A celebrated Navajo singer and former Miss Navajo Nation, Radmilla Cody is known for her efforts to promote Navajo culture and heritage through her music. Her surname, Benally, signifies her as a grandchild.
- Samuel Tom Holiday: Holiday was prominent Navajo "Code Talker" during World War II and also served in front line battles with distinction. Code Talkers were people employed by the military during wartime to use a little-known language as a means of secret communication.
Navajo Thaw Regional Summit meeting - Tom Hawk: A renowned silversmith, Hawk is celebrated for his craftsmanship and contributions to Navajo jewelry-making traditions.
- Thomas Tso: An influential politician within the Navajo Nation, Thomas Tso was the founder and driving force behind the "Navajo Thaw" Implementation Plan, an initiative which aimed at improving the lives of Navajo people.
See also
Separate Wiki articles, listed above, provide details of data records and other resources offered by MyHeritage and which are a great starting point for researching possible Navajo connections. MyHeritage also offers DNA testing can provide evidence of Navajo ancestry and help connect with others who share a common Navajo name or heritage. Note, as this MyHeritage article, explains if your Native American ethnicity does not appear in an "Ethnicity Estimate", you might also consider testing one of your parents or grandparents as it is more likely that Native American DNA will be traced in the generations closer to the Native American ancestor.
The official website of the Navajo Nation has a range of resources available for those researching their possible Navajo heritage. Engaging with community members at local events or gathering within the Navajo community can provide additional insights into possible familial connections that may not be documented elsewhere. Academic books and articles on Navajo history and culture can provide a deeper understanding of the context surrounding Navajo heritage.
There are several websites devoted to Navajo surnames and their generally accepted sources or meanings, as well as other with valuable information related to Native American genealogy research:
- Native American Research: Things You May Not Know webinar at Legacy Family Tree Webinars
- Documenting Native American Families in 19th and 20th Century Records webinar at Legacy Family Tree Webinars
- Navajo Tribe (Diné) Project Dashboard at Geni
- Behind the surnames
- Navajo Surnames at NavajoCodeTalkers.org
- Navajo Last Names and Meanings on FamilyEducation.com.
- Exploring Native American Last Names: Origins, Meanings, and More
- Navajo Surnames in Wiktionary.com.
References
- ↑ Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, September 1). Navajo language. Wikipedia.
- ↑ Wikimedia Foundation. (2024b, September 15). Navajo. Wikipedia.
- ↑ Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (2024, September 17). Navajo. Encyclopædia Britannica.
- ↑ Silversmith, S. (2019, November 4). What is the Navajo clan system? what it means to introduce yourself in Navajo. The Arizona Republic