What’s In A Surname?
When we think of tracing our family history, very often surnames are what come to mind first. We tend to think of our last name and wonder what kind of a history our family had with that surname, where it came from. It is certainly true that surnames are surrounded with history and maybe a little mystery. Surnames were first used by those people who gathered in large numbers to engage in trade because there was a need for more specific identification. Over time, the use of surnames filtered down to the agricultural communities, which had less of a need for such extensive identification of their people.
Surnames generally stem from one of four origins:
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From geographical location (the places they lived) – 43.13%
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From the father’s name – 32.23%
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From occupation or office – 15.16%
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From description of action or nicknames – 9.48%
This information is truly fascinating. After all, there is a 43% chance that your surname tells you where your ancestors lived many generations ago. Or your surname may indicate the type of work in which your ancestors engaged – the family business. Your surname may also tell you what the common male name was in the family or at least what the name of one of your male ancestors.
When tracing the origin your family surname you may have some detective work on your hands. Family surnames, especially those of families in the United States, most likely have undergone a transformation over the generations. It can be tricky finding the origin of a surname because the spelling may have changed over time or the name may have more than one possible source.
A surname search can be loads of fun, with a little frustration thrown in. However, the information you can find out about what your ancestors did for a living and where they came from will no doubt give you a sense belonging and heritage that will help you feel even more pride in your family than ever before.
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