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nycram schrieb:
> As you probably know full well, there are two totally unrelated types
> of German names including "stein".
>
> a) Names derived from geographical features suitable for the placement
> of a medieval style defensive burg. The name of the geographical
> feature is then used as a family name, either for the owners or for
> wannabe owners or for locals who moved away and got called "the people
> fron x-stein.
>
> b) Names in which "stein" means jewel--like your example
> Bernstein=amber, Marmelstein=marble, rubinstein=ruby, eckstein=diamond.
> For historical reasons these names are usually borne by people of
> Jewish origin.
>
> No useful purpose other than obfuscation is served by mixing the two
> classes of names.
>
> I think Einstein is one of the jewel-names.
>
> Gary
Yes; I believe this makes sense and the German: Edelstein. Do you think
most people bearing this name were of Jewish origint (the Jews traded
with Edelsteine (gems)? Does that show Einstein as a name for a jewel
meant there was only one jewel.
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