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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
Where does the last name Servin come from?
The English surname Servin is first found in the shire records at Devon, where they'd held a family seat as Lords of the Manor.
What nationality is the surname Ward from?
As first rendered in the English language, The Governor of Pontefract Castle (Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England) in 1324 was Simon Ward. Wikipedia has a fine photo of the ol' family homestead, listed below. House of Names (also listed below) lists further ancestors coming from France.
What is the origin of the surname Graham?
Intricately woven through the fabric of Scottish history, the proud and noble Graham surname comes from the place-name Grantham in Lincolnshire and is first recorded in Midlothian in the 12th century.
Family motto: "Do not forget"
Where does the name Simpson originate?
As a masculine given name, "Simpson" derives from the Hebrew "Shimon", meaning "one who hears".
Is 'Gutierrez' an Italian surname?
The widely renowned Spanish surname Gutierrez has many variations, but is first found the region of Castile, where it originated in Visigothic times.
Did the Wolford surname come from wolves?
No, this proud and noble English surname, distinguished through history, is a habitational name that was originally bestowed upon those living in the area of one of the Walfordsettlements in Dorset, Herefordshire, or Shropshire, or in Walford Hall in Warwickshire. It is first found in the records of Herefordshire, where they'd held family seat since the very ancient times of the Norman Conquest.
Their family motto, originally a fiercesome war cry, translates to "Know thyself!"
See the related link listed below for more information:
Where does the last name Poe come from?
The proud and noble English surname Poe can be traced back to the 846 CE Brittany Lords of Poncar. They subsequently held a family seat in Devon, England.
What is the meaning of the surname Grint?
The Scottish surname Grint first appears as having lived on the island of Jura in the Inner Hebrides.
The proud, noble, and distinguished Walker surname has roots in Yorkshire England, Cologne and Weissenburg Germany, and Scotland. They reportedly have Jewish roots as well, but the link does not indicate a country of origin.
See the related House of Names link listed below for more information:
In what country did the surname Baldwin originate?
The proud and noble English surname of Baldwin emerges from Shropshire, where they were granted lands by King William after the Norman Conquest of 1066 A.D. However, the surname was washed upon Britain's glittering shores amidst a veritable tidal wave of immigraton from Normandy, carrying Germanic elements that translate to "bold protector".
Family motto: "I will never forget!"
What is the origin of the surname 'Dillon'?
It is a male name of Celtic origin. It means "faithful".
ANOTHER ANSWER:
The Dillons came to Ireland at the time of the Anglo-Norman invasion. The name is not of Celtic origin.
Why do you think the state of himachal pradesh has been given the name Himachal?
Himachal Pradesh issituatedin the Himachal Range
Where did the name Kevin come from?
Kevin is primarily a male given name, originating in the Gaelic language in what is now known as Ireland. The name does have feminine variations in Irelend, and is also distinguished as a surname from County Carlow, where they'd held a family seat.
See link:
Are there any female given names which also exist as surnames?
Existing in homonym form, the English surname of Cady sounds just like the feminine given name of Katie.
The very distinguished Scottish Jill family name is also a feminine given name.
Where does the surname Parker come from?
Early records are to be found in Somerset,England.
See the Related link below for more information:
What are some Puerto Rican last names beginning with the letter L?
Alers, Arce, Arias, Allende, Arizmendi, Alonso, Arroyo, Amado, Ayala, Abreu, Alfaro, Amaro, Acevedo, Aubert, Agostini, Andino, Arzuaga, Anglada, Acosta, Aponte, Avilés, Arenas, Amador, Antonini, Aldea, Aguayo, Aguilar, Aparicio, Arcelay, Álvarez, Alicea, Alegría...
Where does the surname Rogles come from?
A rare last name, seems to come originally from the Alsace area in Germany (an area that years ago belonged to France). There are "Rogles" in Wörrstadt. There are not too many Rogles in Spain and in the United States. A "Rogles" from Wörrstadt who has been researching the origin of this last name, believed that some Rogles people migrated during the persecution of the Huguenots.
Is there a tartan for the surname Downey?
The Scottish surname Downie (MacIlleDhòmhnaich, in Scottish Gaelic) does have
a tartan. See tartansauthority.com for a picture.
Are there any surnames that mean fire?
Yes, a quite common Norwegian surname that means "son of gold fire" is "Guldbrandsen".
Carrying the meaning of "from fire", the Afrikaans surname (of Dutch origin) "Van Vuuren" may be what you seek.
