Ojibwe surnames reflect the cultural and historical experience of the Ojibwe people. Also known as the Chippewa or Saulteaux the Ojibwe is a significant Indigenous group in North America. They were traditionally centred on the northern plains of United States (present-day Wisconsin and Minnesota) and the Great Lakes region of southern Canada. As with other Native American tribes the evolution of Ojibwe surnames reflects a mix of cultural traditions, the impact of colonisation on the tribe and broader social and political changes over several centuries in the regions the Ojibwe have inhabited.
Research your ancestors on MyHeritage
History of the Ojibwe
The Ojibwe are part of the larger Anishinaabe cultural group and share ties with other tribes such as the Odawa and Potawatomi. The Ojibwe's ancestors, known as the Neshnabek, originally inhabited areas along the American Atlantic coast. According to their oral traditions they migrated westward in search of "the land where food grows on water". This led them to discover wild rice which became a staple of their diet and culture. They were semi-nomadic, living in communal villages during summer months then in winter breaking up into smaller family units that focussed on hunting[1].
Traditional Ojibwe society was organised into patrilineal clans (that is based on or tracing descent through the male line). The original seven clans were each named after an animal: the Crane, Loon, Bird, Fish, Bear, Marten and Deer. Each clan played a distinct role in the governance and social structure of the Ojibwe[2].
Today, the Ojibwe population is estimated at around 225,000 in the United States alone.
Traditional Ojibwe names
The Ojibwe people did not traditionally use surnames in the Western sense. Rather their system of clan names functioned as a form of surname, identifying one's family lineage and social standing within the tribe.
In addition to clan names the Ojibwe used a complex system of kinship terms to denote relationships. These terms, which often described a person's personality, appearance, or place of origin, became a form of personal names and served a similar purpose to surnames. Examples include:
- Animikiins: Little Thunder
- Biidaasige: He Shines Brightly
- Giiwedinenh: He Comes from the North Wind
- Minwaabandan: He Looks at It Favourably
Other aspects of Ojibwe culture and spiritual beliefs also influenced the choice and use of names. These included their spiritual beliefs, including connections to a Great Spirit known as Kitchi Manitou as well as their oral traditions and story-telling which conveyed moral lessons and cultural values. Names were given that evoked these stories or characters in them, reinforcing cultural identity and shared history[3].
Western impacts
As the Ojibwe interacted with European settlers and were forced onto reservations, they began adopting Western-style surnames. Although it can be traced back to the arrival of French traders and missionaries in the 17th century the practice accelerated in the late 19th to early 20th century. It resulted in a mix of traditional and Western surnames which has survived until today.
The process by which Western-style surnames emerged or were applied was haphazard and inconsistent. Individuals sometimes took the surname of a trader, missionary, or government agent with whom the individual had dealings. Marriage between an Ojibwe and a European settler was another driver of surname adoption. In still other cases, traditional Ojibwe names were translated, or mistranslated, into English or French words to be used as surnames and recorded in official documents such as treaties, land agreements or census records.
The Dawes Act of 1887 encouraged Indigenous peoples, including the Ojibwe, to adopt Western-style surnames as part of a broader government effort to assimilate them into Euro-American culture. The Act mandated that each individual family take on a surname for land allotment purposes. But this often led to confusion regarding inheritance based on Ojibwe kinship traditions[4].
In 1890, the Commissioner of Indian Affairs ordered that Indian names be changed to English Christian names while retaining surnames. This often resulted in translations or simplifications of traditional names into forms deemed more "civilized" by non-Indigenous standards. For example, a name like Lone Bear might be transformed into Lon Brown.
Common Ojibwe surnames today
Today many Ojibwe families carry traditional names, surnames assigned or adopted as a result of government fiat, or a combination of both traditional and Western surnames. For some Ojibwe the retention of traditional naming practices is an important contribution to maintaining their cultural identity in the modern world.
Examples of "Western" surnames common among Ojibwe include Benson, Bishop, Cousins, Davis, Kelly, Morrison, Peters and Sayers. It is assumed that these names generally reflect a European trader or missionary with whom an Ojibwe ancestor had come into contact.
Traditional Ojibwe surnames[5] include:
- Binesi: thunderbird.
- Ginew: eagle, symbolising strength and freedom.
- Kahgegab: good hunter.
- Mukwa: bear.
- Mishigami: great water, possibly reflecting a geographical connection to the Great Lakes region.
- Nishnawbe; the people or the original people, emphasising cultural Ojibwe identity.
- Nokomis: grandmother.
- Pezhekee: bluebird.
- Wabigoon: white water, possibly relating to a geographical features significant to Ojibwe communities.
- Zhaawanoong: to the south or in a southern direction, perhaps used to indicate a person's origin or connection to specific lands.
Notable historical figures with Ojibwe surnames
- Hiawatha: In 1855, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow published his most popular poem, The Song of Hiawatha. Longfellow highlighted the stories of the Ojibwe people through the adventures of a fictional Ojibwe hero, Hiawatha, his gifts to his people and his tragic love story with a Dakota woman, Minnehaha. Longfellow set out to honour Native American heritage, but simultaneously perpetuated stereotypes and the narrative that Indigenous culture was dying in America.
- Chief Buffalo (also known Kechewaishke): A prominent leader of the Ojibwe during the 19th century, known for his efforts to negotiate treaties with the United States government. He played a crucial role in advocating for the rights and land of his people during a time of significant pressure from settlers.
- Jean Baptiste Cadotte: A descendant of French emigrants to New France, his father was part Huron. As a fur trader he was deeply familiar with the Ojibwe, marrying an Ojibwe woman who was the daughter of a powerful Ojibwe chief. He acted as a mediator between Indigenous peoples and European settlers, helping to maintain peace and trade relations in the Great Lakes region.
- Clifford Maytwayashing, a legendary fiddle player.
See also
Explore more about Ojibwe surnames
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 Ojibwe connections. MyHeritage also offers DNA testing can provide evidence of Ojibwe ancestry and help connect with others who share a common Ojibwe name or heritage. Note that 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.
A researcher should consider variations of names when conducting searches. As with with other Native American tribes many Ojibwe names were transliterated into English or French, leading to different spellings over time. Knowing the specific Ojibwe tribe or community can help narrow down your search within the census data. Understanding where your ancestors lived can provide context and help locate them in specific databases, census rolls.
The following webinars can also provide insights on how to research more effectively your Ojibwe ancestry:
- Documenting Native American Families in 19th and 20th Century Records webinar at at Legacy Family Tree Webinars
- Native American Research: Things You May Not Know webinar at at Legacy Family Tree Webinars
- Finding Indian Ancestors in African American Families webinar at at Legacy Family Tree Webinars
Also, there are a number of other resources which will assist you in researching Ojibwe surnames.
Online resources
- Many specific Ojibwe tribes maintain their own websites with resources for genealogy. These sites often include historical documents, tribal rolls and links to local archives. Examples include the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. The Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council connects multiple tribes in Wisconsin and offers resources for genealogical research among Ojibwe communities.
- Websites like A Canadian Family offer mini-indexes that categorize surnames associated with Indigenous, Métis, and mixed-heritage backgrounds. This can be a useful starting point to identify common Ojibwe surnames and their meanings.
- Genealogy Forums such as the Native American Records Forum can provide personal accounts and suggestions for finding ancestors with Ojibwe surnames.
U.S. census records
- Census records are vital for genealogical research, particularly for Indigenous ancestry. For Ojibwe ancestors located in the United States you should focus on the Indian Census Rolls (1885-1940) which were conducted annually and include individuals affiliated with federally recognised tribes. They may provide names, ages, marital status and tribal affiliation. Access to these Rolls is available through the National Archives.
- U.S. Federal Population Censuses (1850-1930) may also include information about individuals of Indigenous descent, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Canadian census records
- For those with Canadian Ojibwe ancestry you can try Canadian censuses. Starting in 1871 these included First Nations individuals more systematically. These records have information about ethnic heritage and could identify individuals as part of a specific Ojibwe community. They are available through Library and Archives Canada.
Local historical societies and Ojibwe community organisations
- Annuity Rolls, available through some local historical societies, recorded document payments made to Ojibwe individuals under various treaties. They may include information such as the names of family heads, the number of family members, and the amount of annuity paid. The Minnesota Historical Society Library online portal, for example, has links to these rolls as well as many other potential source of information on the Ojibwe, even oral histories.
- Some tribes have published their own histories and which may include specific genealogical information[6].
- Ojibwe cultural centres, and the events they organise, facilitate connections with knowledgeable individuals who might assist in your research.
Academic research guides
- Native American studies centres, like Dominican University, provide research guides that outline methods for tracing Indigenous ancestry, including specific resources related to the Ojibwe.
References
- ↑ Native Hope. (2023, August 9). The history and culture of the Ojibwe (Chippewa) tribe. Native Hope Blog.
- ↑ Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (2024, September 22). Ojibwa. Encyclopædia Britannica.
- ↑ Ojibwe. The Canadian Encyclopedia. (2008, August 13).
- ↑ Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, September 21). Ojibwe. Wikipedia.
- ↑ Anishinaabe names. Ojibwe.net. (2024, August 17).
- ↑ Public Broadcasting Service. (2000, August 31). Tribal Histories. PBS.