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Surnames
Surnames, also known as last names, are passed down from our ancestors, and connect us to our family. In this category, you will find questions about the use of surnames and their meanings.
2,644 Questions
What heritage does the last name Moulton come from?
Those with the English surname Moulton came to hold a family seat in Devon after the Norman Conquest in 1066 CE. However, the name reflects the family's origins prior to that, in the Normandy region of France.
See the related House of Names link listed below for more information:
Where did the last name Mosley originate?
Staffordshire and Worcestershire (both in the West Midlands), West Dean in Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, and Greater Manchester (all in Britain) have ancient records of the Mosley surname.
Where did the surname 'Watson' come from?
This ancient Anglo-Saxon surname derives from "Wat", the diminutive form of "Walter". "Walter" is an Old German language given name meaning "mighty army". The proud and noble English surname of Watson is first found amidst the ancient records of the county of Rutland, where they were the Lords of the Manor of Rockingham.
Family motto: "Fidelity is my glory!"
SANCHEZ !! SANTOS!!
My last name is the last name that I will ever need.
My last name is my surname.
My last name is password-protected.
What is the nationality of the surname Tinney?
Tinney is probably English or Scottish; the -ey ending may indicate that it was an area settled by Norwegians or Danes (during the Danelaw), meaning "tin island."
The surname brookins is from what nationality does it originate from?
The proud, noble, and highly distinguished English surname of Brookins was washed upon the shores of Britain amidst the immense wave of immigration that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066 A.D.
While it is first recorded in Essex, the surname itself derives from the family's former digs in Broc- in the area of Anjou, France.
Family motto: "By Persevering!"
Where did the surname Burd originate?
Ages before the Norman Invasion of 1066 A.D., the English surname of Burd was recorded to have held a family seat in Cheshire, England. This surname would have been originally bestowed upon those persons who either worked as bird-catchers, or who possessed bird-like characteristics.
Family motto: "My hope is on the cross!"
What is the origin of the surname 'Wise'?
The ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes who once ruled all of Britain would have originally bestowed this proud and noble English surname upon a person in the community who was considered to be wise, or learned. The surname is found amidst very early records of Devon, where they had held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Greston at the time of the Norman Invasion in 1066 A.D.
Family motto: "Dare to be wise!"
Where does the last name Leon originate from?
The last name Leon is supposibly derives from the Spanish city Leon. When it comes to how certain last names came about, there are 4 ways this happened. In the case of Leon, they used the name of the city where they lived as their last name, using De Leon (from Leon) as their last names. As centuries passed, certain people kept the De part of their last name and some dropped it, leaving Simply Leon. Either way, both come from the city in Spain. There is also a last name Leon from china, but it is rarely used as it is a very simplified version of the true last name.
Where does the surname Briggs originate?
Briggs is English in origin and means " at the bridge"
See the Releated link, below, for an explanation
It is a northern English form of Bridge, from the old Norse Bryggja
Where did the surname Moppin come from?
Prior to the Norman Invasion of 1066 A.D, the proud and noble English surname of Moppin was recorded in Magneville- in Manche, Normandy, as the Magnepeine family. The Normans who emigrated to England often took surnames that were associated with the estates that they had left behind in northern France. In England, it is first recorded in Yorkshire.
Family motto: "Perhaps his heart is the spur!"
The Scottish surname Lowery is to be found amidst the ancient records of Dumfriesshire, where they had held a family seat.
Family motto: "It buds afresh!"
Where does surname Keener come from?
Originating in the Gaelic language, the proud and noble Irish surname of Keener is first found in the records of County Londonderry.
Family motto: "A stroked cat is gentle"
What is the origin of the surname Tolson?
The Scottish surname Tolson can be found in the early records of Cumberland, where they held a family seat.
Family motto: "My sword my companion"
What does the surname Santos mean?
That's a nickname-type surname for someone who was born on All Saint's Day.
Is the name Linscott Scottish?
According to surname data base it is an English surname of Devonshire origin
meaning 'cottage on the hill' from hlinc+cot.
