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- Last names can be derived from occupations (e.g., Smith), locations (e.g., Hill), personal characteristics (e.g., Young), or paternal lineage (e.g., Johnson). In some cultures, surnames were assigned based on the father's name (e.g., O'Connor, meaning "son of Connor").
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Last Name Meanings and Origins | Search Surnames at Ancestry.com®. Discover the meaning and history behind your last name. Your last name gives you a sense of identity and helps you discover who you are and where you come from. Enter your last name to learn its meaning and origin. Or browse surnames alphabetically: A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. K.
Enter your surname and begin learning its origins, your potential family lineage, and where your ancestors most likely came from. Find out more today.
Origin of Surnames. Throughout history humans have been known by more than one name to distinguish them from other people with the same name. As societies became more complex or were colonised by more complex societies these distinguishing names became fixed and were passed on to the next generation.
Last name meanings and origins holds clues to your family history. Whether you have a common or unique last name, learning the meaning behind your name can unlock new details of your genealogy.
Today, a surname, which is also known as a family name and last name, is a hereditary fixed name that you share with your family members. The use of a surname was originally adopted in order to distinguish two individuals with the same first name, and, at first, these last names were not passed down to the next generation.
Origin, etymology and popularity of your last name. 957,839 indexed names. Find the origin of a last name. How much do you really know about your name? Discover the origin and the meanings of your name. Most common last names. SMITH 6,072,127 individuals. JONES 2,860,555 individuals. BROWN 2,776,092 individuals. TAYLOR 2,598,592 individuals.