Day 02- The meaning behind your Blogger name

The Eloquent English blog name was created by one of my best friends Lauren. I asked her for some help and I think this was the first one she came up with. She's pretty awesome I have to admit.

I thought I would also share a few definitions and some history with you as my friend Celeste stated she only reads blogs that are educational (or have a lot of pictures). Today is her educational lesson (and tomorrow will be pictures) and also for those of you who enjoy learning... Included in the reason behind the name, is also a vocabulary and history lesson.

Definition of: el·o·quent [el-uh-kwuhnt] as an adj.

1. Characterized by persuasive, powerful discourse: an eloquent speaker; an eloquent sermon.
2. Vividly or movingly expressive: a look eloquent with compassion.

Definition of: Eng·lish [ing-glish] as a Noun

1. The people of England.

2. a. The West Germanic language of England, the United States, and other countries that are or have been under English influence or control. b. The English language of a particular time, region, person, or group of persons: American English.

3. A translation into or an equivalent in the English language.

4. A course or individual class in the study of English language, literature, or composition.

5. also english a. The spin given to a propelled ball by striking it on one side or releasing it with a sharp twist. b. Bodily movement in an effort to influence the movement of a propelled object; body English.

The blog name is two-fold

Fold #1 - English as a last name... As you know English is my married name, and I like to think that I am a vivid/expressive person.

Your History Lesson is about to begin…

About the last name: English derives from the Olde English pre 7th Century "Englisc" meaning "English" and was originally given as a distinguishing name to an Angle as distinct from a Saxon. Both the Angles and Saxons were West German people who invaded England in the 5th and 6th Centuries A.D. In the modern idiom, the name is found as Inglish, Inglis and English. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Gillebertus Anglicus which was dated 1171, in the "Pipe Rolls of Herefordshire", during the reign of King Henry 11, known as "The Builder of Churches", 1154 - 1189. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

This will explain #9 of Day-01 (Ancestry Interest)

Note: As far as the English family ancestry goes, I'm not quite sure where exactly the Englishes came from. The furthest we've been able to trace back is Thomas English who was born in 1772-1820 in Massachusetts.

About the last name: Ovitz (Wilamowitz) Since we are on a history lesson of last names I thought I'd share a little bit about my maiden name Ovitz. Otto was born approximately 1807 in what we think was Mariampol, Poland (per passport). To this day we call ourselves 'German' and I'm not really sure why? During this time frame of his life, it was probably considered Prussia due to the continuous change in borders. Some call us Polish, German, Prussian, etc... I'm just going to say we are from Prussia for the ease of reading. Otto Von Wilamowitz (Prussian) and Louise Riehl (French) came to the United States approximately 1849-1850. His passport was dated 11 August 1849 and came from Prussia to Mifflin, Wisconsin. One would think this was an odd time for someone to move to America... Especially someone of nobility... The story is told that Louise was Otto's maidservant. Otto was a baron, which is a title of nobility. During that time period, it was required that marriages between nobles should be of equal rank. In effect, since Otto was Prussian, all of his children by Louise would have been illegitimate and commoners in the eyes of the Prussian state, i.e. their surname would be Wilamowitz, and lost the noble title of “Von” Wilamowitz. Most likely, it was the illegitimacy of their future children that motivated immigration. In America their children (10 of them!) would be legitimate and there was no issue as to whether they could be Von Wilamowitz or just Wilamowitz. Once Otto (age 43) and Louise (age 24) came to the United States the first census record was dated 19 September 1850. Skipping 1 generation (Ernest Wilamowitz), it wasn't until 1 June 1905 it was recorded on the census that John W. Ovitz Senior changed the surname to OVITZ.

Fold #2 - English as a language... This fold would lead to some irony as far as writing goes. I can't say that I'm eloquent in my writing; however I hope to better my skill over time.

About the language: English is derived from England, one would think. But in fact the language name is found long before the country name. The latter first appears as Englaland around the year 1000, and means "the land of the Engle," that is, the Angles. The Angles, Saxons, and Jutes were the three Germanic tribes who emigrated from what is now Denmark and northern Germany and settled in England beginning about the fourth century a.d.