What Do Surnames Mean?

Surnames are a significant part of our identity, but few of us really know what they mean and where they come from. A surname can tell us something about our family’s history and its place of origin, as well as provide us with a unique identifier on a larger scale. It’s important to have an understanding of surnames and their origins if you want to better understand your family’s history and heritage.

History and Origin of Surnames

Surnames originated in the Middle Ages, when increased population and the need for more structure within society created the need for more identifiable labels. The primary sources of surnames are patronyms (origins of one’s father’s name), toponymics (from the place of origin), and metronymics (from the mother’s name). These sources were combined with other sources to create a person’s name, which basically served as an ID number of sorts.

Modern-Day Meanings of Surnames

While the origin of a surname is important, there are now tons of ways that surname can be interpreted in the modern day. After all, we now have the ability to research and discern the meaning of a surname for ourselves. You can look for patterns of spelling and meaning, such as the suffix of “-son” which generally means “son of” in most cases. Surnames can also be derived from occupational title, or be a nickname or a reference to a physical attribute.

Doing a bit of digging into your family’s history and researching what your surname actually means can be a great way to engage with your family’s history and learn more about your ancestry. It’s a great way to start building that family tree and to take some pride in your roots.