A Contextual Analysis of Iranian Surnames in Shahnameh and Vis and Ramin

Naming and reputation are key factors in social recognition, a practice observed in Iran since ancient times. Examining these appellations reveals which elements each society considers important for identity and fame. This research employed an analytical-descriptive methodology, considering the evolutionary stages of human societies as a cultural context. The study conducted linguistic analysis within morphological and syntactic frameworks while investigating cultural roots. The research focused on pre-Islamic Iranian fame and surnames, primarily drawing from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh and Vis and Ramin, due to their rich repository of ancient Iranian names. Findings indicated that the most common linguistic structures were syntactic combinations of "name + e + father's/grandfather's name", "name + e + city/country name + relative", and "name + e + occupation + relative". In terms of cultural context, kinship relations and paternal/ancestral attribution were most prevalent followed by fame derived from individual skills. These patterns reflected the influence of tribal life and patriarchy. City and country-based fame ranked next, indicating the emergence of urban life. Occupational attribution also occurred frequently, stemming from class-based society and social castes, reaching its peak in Shahnameh and the Sasanian period. Notably, fame constructions with religious content were minimal, suggesting the limited spread of religions in the Late Middle Ages.