Slavonic Elements in Lithuanian Surnames

The process of formation of Lithuanian surnames is a long and complicated phenomenon. Lithuanian surnames which were formed of baptismal names are among the most predominant ones. Forms of baptismal names varied in different regions as they depended on the language which was the sources of origination; moreover, names were adapted to phonetic and morphological system. The biggest influence on Lithuanian baptismal onomastics was made by Slavonic Christian names. The majority of contemporary Lithuanian surnames are of Slavonic origin or came via the Slavonic languages. Surnames were formed not only of canonical baptismal names, i.e. from various Slavonic forms of the same baptismal name - both Polish and Eastern Slavonic, though very often surnames were formed of popular folk variants with both Slavonic and Lithuanian patronymic suffixes as well. Jonas, Jon-aitis, Jon-elis, Jonel-aitis, Jon-auskas, Jon-avicius, Ivan-auskas, Ivan-avicius,Ivan-ovas, Ivas-ka, Jasas, Jas-aitis, Jas-auskas, Ans-iukevicius, Van-ickas, Vasc-iunas and other.