<p>The aim of this essay was to find out differences and similarities between German and Swedish surnames. The linguistic category name is basically discussed, including an elaboration of terms. The essay includes an historical overview of the development of German and Swedish surnames and an overview of the different types of surnames. It follows a discussion/summary in which differences and similarities are discussed.</p>

The aim of this essay was to find out differences and similarities between German and Swedish surnames. The linguistic category name is basically discussed, including an elaboration of terms. The essay includes an historical overview of the development of German and Swedish surnames and an overview of the different types of surnames. It follows a discussion/summary in which differences and similarities are discussed.

The diploma thesis is focused on the comparison of motivation and language motivation of Czech and Swedish surnames. In the theoretical part, the current situation and developement of surnames are described and motivation types of bynames which later formed surnames are defined. The practical part of the thesis introduces the method, hypothesis and results of research which was focused on dividing 500 of the most frequent Czech and Swedish surnames into groups according to motivation and language motivation. The most common among Czech surnames are those created from first names and those consisting of nature elements; the most numerous groups among Swedish surnames are composite burgher surnames with natural motifs and patronymical surnames.