2006-06-13 05:53:59 · 20 answers · asked by circaskater56 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
In Europe, surnames began to be used in the 12th century, but it took several centuries before the majority of Europeans had one. The primary purpose of the surname was to further distinguish people from one another. In the 13th century about a third of the male population was named William, Richard or John *. To uniquely identify them, people began referring to different Williams as William the son of Andrew (leading to Anderson), William the cook (leading to Cook), William from the river (leading to Rivers), William the brown-haired (leading to Brown), and so on. Eventually these surnames became inherited, being passed from parents to children.
2006-06-13 05:56:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
That depends on what part of the world you're talking about. Medieval European names were often related to profession. A cooper made barrels, for example, and the surname "Cooper" is still common. People also took on an ancestor's name. Leif Ericson, the Viking, was literally Eric's son... his father was Eric the Red.
2006-06-13 12:57:09 · answer #2 · answered by JStrat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People were identified by their job, or their father. For example, Smith was the village blacksmith or silversmith, Baker was the village baker, Tailor the tailor, etc. Or Johnson was the son of John, Anderson was the son of Andrew, etc.
2006-06-13 12:58:49 · answer #3 · answered by smartypants909 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your last name used to reflect your profession. In some cases, in the days of slavery, your servants/slaves would take the family's name who they were owned by.
2006-06-13 12:56:08 · answer #4 · answered by darkness_returns 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually an occupation... Miller, Baker, or if you were someone's son; Instead of Son of Jack, Jackson.
2006-06-13 12:56:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many people got their surname or last name by their occupation or their father's first name. For example; Baker, JOHNson, JACKson, etc...
2006-06-13 12:57:15 · answer #6 · answered by simply_moon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Their occupation and where they lived: John Smith him or his father or grandfather was probably a black smith or tin smith. William of York shortened to William York ect, ect.
2006-06-13 12:58:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
From the job they used to do for a living.
2006-06-13 13:09:40 · answer #8 · answered by ag_iitkgp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
by occupations ie smith was a blacksmith cooper made barrels ur where they lived hill etc
2006-06-13 12:58:20 · answer #9 · answered by michael w 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They got it based on their appearance, occupation, where they lived, etc.
Examples:
Taylor - making clothes
Smith - making metal tools
and so on.
2006-06-13 12:59:13 · answer #10 · answered by Milu 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋