Dynamiques migratoires et patronymes

A survey on mobility in rural areas in the early twentieth century was conducted in the western Pyrenees, covering the Basque Country, Béarn, Bigorre and Chalosse. A sample of more than 1,600 people in 351 family groups, including children, parents and grandparents, was used to quantify the various migrations, those between birthplace and place of residence of parents and their children, and those between spouses’ birthplaces. Dialectal practice and its transmission between generations were also considered in this study of migration. Through a comparison of the distribution of surnames in these areas and a new methodology, the surnames of sampled people have made it possible to estimate the distance traveled during migration. This study finds a strong geographical homogamy decreasing, and geographical mobility increasing with more recent generations, these movements showing significant differences according to dialect areas.