Why do related Kenyans have different surnames?

I could be wrong on this but I'm pretty sure their name refers to where they were born. Anyone confirm this?

Yep. Depends on the tribe though. Usually last names depect the circumstances of your birth. Exceptions occur, such as Keino's sons. Keino seems to have adopted a Western way though (his kids went to US colleges). This is also why you can have two Kenyans with the same last name and not be related (the three Kipketers, the two Komens)

Alan

Yeah, that's pretty much it. In reality, they don't treat them as surnames like we do, more like two first names - and either is acceptable. In many cases, kids will take their dad's given name minus the "kip" prefix as their own real surname.

I.e, Bernard Lagat's dad is probably called "Bob" Kiplagat, Moses Tanui's did is probably "Joe" Kiptanui...

With girls, you might find that they just have totally unrelated names.

Kipkorir--born shortly before dawn

Kipkoech--born at dawn

Kimutai--born in mid-morning

Kibet--born at midday

Kiplagat (Kiplangat)--born at sunset

Kipkirui--born shortly after dark

Kipkemboi--born at night

Kipngetich--born when cows are taken to pasture after morning milking

Kiprotich--born when cattle are brought home for evening milking

Kipngeno--born when goats are waking up

Kiprono--born when sheep or goats are brought into the house in the evening

Kipkeino--born when sheep or goats are being milked (i.e. when cows milk is short)

Kiplimo--born among grazing cattle

Kipngeny--born when cattle are at a salt lick

Kipkosgei--born after a long labor, or a long interval between children

Kipchirchir--born in a hurry, after short labor

Kiptanui--fainted, failed to cry or breathe at birth

Kipketer--born on the verandah

Kipchoge--born near the grain storage bin

Kipsang--born outdoors

Kipkurgat--born by the door

Kibitok--born on the fathers side of the hut, not the mothers

Kiptoo--born when visitors are around

Kiptum--born during circumcision ceremonies

Kimaiyo--born when beer is being brewed or drunk

Komen--born when beer is being brewed or drunk

Kipruto--born away from home, on safari

Kipchumba--born near white men, i.e. in a hospital, in a town, on a white-owned farm

Kipkemei--born during a drought

Kiprugut--born during a famine

Kiptalam--born during an infestation of locusts

Kipsigei--born on his own (i.e. the mother had no help)

Cheruiyot (male only)--born when everyone was asleep

Kitur--born after parents had begun to despair of having a child

Kigen--a long-awaited son (usually born after several daughters)

Makes you wonder...

Komen--born when beer is being brewed or drunk (daddy was a drinker?)

Few name their children according to the circumstances under which they were born. You won't find many Kamba, Turkana, Pokot, Kikuyu, Kisii or Maasi with names like the ones on the list. The surnames of fathers, mothers, and maiden names of mothers or even grandparents are frequently used. John Ngugi Kamau's grandfather's last name was Kamau, yet John's brother James Kariuki Thironga had his last name taken from his mother. Throw in the fact that few use their "last" names when they come to the US (witness John Ngugi and James Kariuki above) and it can get confusing.

Kipyego

Kipkosgei

Kipkorir

Kipleting

Kimitei

Kibowen

Kipkuna

Kiprotich

Kimaru

Kibirgen

Kimnyolei

Chemesunde

Kimulwa

Kimetto

Kipbwambok

Kibichii

Chepkwony

Cheruiyot

and many more ...

Is all that for real? That was really interesting.

NikeXC wrote:

I'm not sure if this is the case throughout all of Africa

Also, in many Scandinavian countries, one's surname is traditionally based upon his/her father's/mother's given name. i.e. Magnus Olafson's dad's first name was Olaf.

Scotland did it similarly with Mc/Mac, I believe.