Do any1 know any websites where you can find the origin of a persons last name?

Answer 1

There are many sites that claim to tell you the origin of a name. The problem is that it is worthless information, for the most part. Many people who are curious about their heritage believe that their surname is "who" they are. If the last name is Jones (for example), there "must" be ONE place where it comes from, and ONE family who all comes from one long ago ancestor. Just doesn't happen that way. Last names started hundreds of years ago, and in many cases.. persons with the same last name were not even related in any way.
Reliable information about heritage can be found by tracing your actual ancestors, since genealogy has a foundation of using provable records. People are always amazed to find how little relationship there may be, between the last name and the actual people and their origins.
I understand not everyone wants to take time to trace their family (or thinks it is harder than it really is). That's ok.. just wanted to give you a heads up about how surname origins are notorious for being inaccurate and misleading.

Answer 2

Beware of sites who sell surname products like coats of arms. The same surname can have more than one origin. Therefore genealogist do not consider the surname. They trace their ancestors.

http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/comconsumerpsst.cfm

http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/Faq.htm

Answer 3

www.houseofnames.com is a site that gives a short history of family names (beware of different spellings of the same name), and will show a family coat-of-arms if there is one.
www.ancestry.com
www.rootsweb.com
www.familysearch.org
www.searchforancestors.com/surnames/origin
www.surnamedb.com
www.progenealogists.com
www.last-names.net
www.surnamesite.com
www.genealogytoday.com/topics/surnames.htm

Those are just a few.

Answer 4

http://www.ancestry.com/learn/facts/default.aspx