Interestingly, there are about 45,000 surnames or last names used in England. Each of these surnames comes with its special history.
Thus, like many, you may wonder: Have last names always beenimportant?Indeed, how did surnames actually evolve? What is their history?
Let’s take some time to find out.
We Must Study Credible Sources to Understand the Origin of Last Names
Generally, last names are known to evolve from almost endless sources. These include physical attributes, heraldic charges, trades, counties, and other objects.
To search for afamily tree, we need to study crediblelists of specific names. This is the only way to recognize our ancestors, if and when we stumble upon them.
The Origin of English and British Last Names
Notably, before the Normans conquered Britain, there were no identifiable surnames as we understand them today. Thus, everyone was known by a personal or nickname. It is, however, important to note that some families and individuals either changed names or took up an alias at some point in the past.
Clearly, in the past, when communities were smaller, it was easy to identify everyone by a single personal name. Things changed when the population increased; it became necessary to identify people by a second or last name.
Hence, some “interesting” names soon evolved. Some of these were William from Sutton, Roger son of Edward, and William the Short. As time passed, many of these names were gradually corrupted. Hence, the original meaning is today unclear.
Norman Invaders Introduced Last Names to England in the 11th Century
Experts think that surnames were initially introduced in England by Norman barons post-1066 AD. Soon, the trend spread to other areas. At first, people could change or drop their surnames as they wished.
Afterward, the names stuck and could even be passed on to others. In time, people developed permanent surnames like Green and Pickering, Fletcher and Smith or Wilkins, and Johnson. By 1400 most families in England and Scotland were using hereditary surnames.
After the Norman invasion, most personal names of the early Celtics and Saxons disappeared altogether. Yes, names like Oswin, Oswald, and Oslaf quickly vanished with the Norman invasion. Soon after, it was neither sensible nor fashionable to carry these names; they were no longer passed on.
The Union of England and Wales in the 16th Century Promoted Lastnames
After 1400 new surnames were formed while immigrants brought in some. Notably, many Highland Scottish, Welsh, and Irish names originated from Gaelic sources. The integration of these surnames became complete after the union of England and Wales in 1536.
It is instructive that some families and individuals have taken up an alias or changed names altogether in the past. Some have done this on a whim, but others acted due to legal considerations. This drives the point that even though the study of surnames is crucial in genealogical research, there is a possibility that the importance of these names may be overrated.
Countries, Estates, Towns and Landscape Features Gave Rise to Last Names
Mot surnames and local names in various countries are derived from specific sources. These include names of a country (consider the Moore (Morocco), Beamish (Bohemian), and the Lubbock (Lubeck).
Estates and towns also contributed significantly (Bristowe( Bristol) and Vyse ( Devizes), as did features of the landscape (hills, streams, or woods). Consider Woods, Woodman, Greenwood, Woodruffe, Attwood and Woodcutter).
Some names may have been bestowed on migrants who left certain places in the surname formation period. These include names like Berkley, Bedford, and Pickering. Alternatively, such names reflect the identities of landowners who likely hosted the migrants.
Others got their last names from a hamlet or farm. The Devon and the Pennines are classic examples. Moreover, trees were not left behind in siring last names. Think about Leaf, Root, Bark, Stock, and Curzon; all these refer to a stem. Others include Oakham, Oakley, Ockham, andNoakes, whichrefer to the oak tree.
Last Names Evolved From Nicknames, Occupational and Baptismal Names:
Occupations also contributed to the rise of last names. Consider Taylor, Cook, Smith, Wright, and Turner. Others include Brewer, Goldsmith, Potman, Fiddler, Baker, Piper, Hornblower, Bellringer, and Bannister or bath keeper.
Nicknames were not left behind either; thus, some nicknames gradually developed into surnames. Consider: Fox, White, Nice, Pappilon (meaning inconsistent or dainty) and Foljambe (meaning deformed leg), Smallman, Slowman, Blunt and Fairsex .
Baptismal names: Other last names in places like England derived from baptismal or Christian names.
These include Williamson or William, Littlejohn, and Brownjohn.
Conclusion:
The history of the development of surnames in various countries in the world makes for a most interesting study. You just need access to some comprehensive and credible sources of genealogy to unlock the mystery.
In many places, the development of last names derived from countries, towns, hamlets, rivers, trees, nicknames, occupations, and baptismal names.
Have you ever tried to trace the history of your own surname?
Rise up to the challenge and begin an exciting journey of self-discovery.