Last names or surnames date back to the thirteenth century. Initially, these names were used to identify people by their family, national origin, and in some cases, by their physical characteristics or appearance. You can find out where your surname came from, whether it's based on your mother's line (matronym) or father's line (patronym). Last names can also be taken based on what work your ancestors did to make a living. In addition, the name can also be taken based on geographical factors, where your ancestors lived. Some names are also descriptive in nature, derived from the nicknames given to your ancestors. If you don't want to do all this research, you can use a genealogy provider or talk to an older relative to find out where your surname came from.
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Method 1 of 4: Determining If You Have a Surname
Step 1. Look at the prefix of your last name
The prefix is the first two or three letters of your last name. Usually, a prefix is added to indicate that the head of your household is the son or daughter of their head of household. Certain prefixes come from specific places and cultures, such as Gaelic, Irish or English. Your last name may have a prefix like:
- “Mac” or “Mc,” like “MacDonald” or “McCloud.” This means that your last name is from the Gaelic region.
- “Fitz,” like “Fitzpatrick” or “Fitzgerald.” This means that your last name is from the UK.
- "O," like "O'Brien" or "O'Shea." This means that your last name is from Ireland.
- “ap,” like “Bedo ap Batho,” which comes from “Bedo Batho.” This means that your last name is from Wales.
Step 2. Check your last name ending
This suffix is usually the last two or three letters of your last name. The suffix is usually used to indicate that he is someone's son or daughter. Your last name can end in:
- “-son,” such as “Johnson” or “Paulson.” This means that there is a high probability that your ancestors were the children of someone named John or Paul. It's also likely that your name is Scottish or English.
- “-sen,” like “Andersen.” “-sen” is the Scandinavian way of writing “son”
- “-ian” or “-yan,” like “Simonian” or “Petrossyan.” This means that your last name is of Armenian origin.
- “-ski,” like “Petroffski.” This means that your last name is of Polish origin.
- "-ez" or "-az," like "Fernandez" or "Diaz." This means that your name is of Spanish origin.
- "-es" or "os," like "Morales" or "Rolos." This means that your last name is Portuguese.
Step 3. Also note the difference between surname and clan name
The North American standard is for people to be given last names based on the name of the head of their family. Meanwhile, in other parts of the world such as in Africa, Asia and parts of Europe, it is more common for people to use their clan name as their last name. These names can be traced back to which clan they belonged to.
- For example, in Uganda, people's surnames come from clans of ancestral origin. So, you may meet a lot of people whose surname is “Buganda”, because their ancestors are from the same clan.
- In Japan, people are also named after their clan. For example, the Fujiwara clan or the Satōs clan.
- You can trace your last name back to whether it came from a clan, tribe, or kingdom to which they belonged instead of using your father's or mother's name as a clue. However, this depends on where your ancestors came from.
Method 2 of 4: Checking If Your Surname Was Taken By Occupation or Geographical Location
Step 1. Notice if your surname refers to a specific type of work
In some cases, our last name reflects the occupation or status of our ancestors. Usually, the type of work is a craft or trade in medieval Europe. Look for your surname, whether it is still related to a particular job or not. For example:
- “Miller,” someone who grinds flour from wheat grains. This name can also be spelled “Muller” if your ancestry is from Germany.
- “Wainwright,” the man who made the train carriages.
- “Bishop,” a person who works for a bishop.
- “Taylor,” a person who sews or repairs clothes.
- “Carter,” a person who builds or controls a cart.
- “Alderman,” the person who worked as an official clerk at the court.
- “Stewart,” the man who worked as a waiter.
- "Alcaldo," the man who worked as mayor.
- "Zapatero," the man who worked as a shoemaker.
- A list of work-related surnames can be found here:
Step 2. Check if your last name can be traced back to a location
Another function of last names is to distinguish a person based on the location where they lived or were born. Their last name can refer to a specific city or country. This is very common in France, England and other parts of Europe. For example:
- “Parris,” means that your ancestors came from Paris, France.
- “London,” means that your ancestors came from London, England.
- “Medina,” means your ancestors came from Medina, Mexico.
- "Chan," refers to an ancient region in China.
Step 3. Notice if your last name refers to a landscape
Your surname can refer to a geographical feature such as a river, cliff or landscape. This could indicate the fact that your ancestors lived near a mountain or were born near a river. For example:
- “Brooks,” means your ancestors lived along the creeks.
- “Churchill,” means your ancestors lived near a church or hill.
- "Vega," which means prairie in Spanish, means that your ancestors lived near the meadows.
- "Iglesias," which means "church" in Spanish, means that your ancestors lived near the church.
- "Takahashi," is a Japanese last name meaning people who live under a high bridge.
- "Choi," is a Chinese surname meaning people who live on top of a mountain.
- "Yamamoto," is a Japanese last name referring to the foot of the mountain.
- "Park," is a Korean last name that means magnolia tree.
Step 4. Determine if your surname refers to a direction
In some cases, your last name can be taken from the geographic direction where your ancestors lived or came from. Your name may contain cardinal directions such as ''East'', ''West'', or ''South''. For example:
- “Northman,” means that your ancestors came from the north.
- “Southgate,” that is, your ancestors came from a location south of the gate.
- “Eastwood” and “Westwood,” meaning, your ancestors lived east or west of the forest.
Method 3 of 4: Determining If Your Last Name Is Descriptive
Step 1. Check if your last name refers to the physical appearance of your ancestors
Some last names come from the physical appearance of your ancestors. They may also be given nicknames or nicknames from neighbors or friends based on their appearance. These names, can be adopted as your last name and your last name. For example:
- “Broadhead,” if your ancestors had big heads.
- “Black” or “Brown,” if your ancestor had black or brown hair.
- “Baines,” means bone. So, your ancestors may have looked thin or emaciated.
- "Grande," in Spanish means big. So maybe your ancestors were big.
- "Rubio," means blonde in Spanish. So maybe your ancestors were blonde.
Step 2. Determine if your last name relates to the personality of your ancestors
Sometimes, your surname may come from the behavior of your ancestors. Their personality could have contributed to your last name. For example:
- “Goodman,” means that your ancestors were considered generous people
- “Strong” or “Armstrong,” means that your ancestors were known to be strong people.
- “Wildman,” means that your ancestor was seen as rude or unruly.
- "Bravo," means brave in Spanish. So, your ancestors could be a brave person.
- "Wong" or "Wang" means king in Cantonese. So your ancestor may have looked like a king or royalty.
- "Sato" means help in Japanese. So, your ancestors probably cared a lot about other people.
Step 3. Find out if your surname relates to a concept
Asian last names tend to relate to concepts like happiness, wisdom and joy. If your family comes from countries in Asia such as China, Japan, Vietnam and Korea, you may be able to trace your last name to a concept. For example:
- "Moon," means wisdom in Korean.
- "Saito," means chastity and devotion in worship in Japanese.
- "Kim," meaning gold in Korean, probably refers to good qualities.
- "Nguyen," means original or first in Vietnamese.
Method 4 of 4: Using Other Sources
Step 1. Use an online genealogy service provider
Look for an online genealogy provider who will help trace the origin of your surname. You may have to pay a fee for the service and give them your last name.
- For example, you could use Ancestry.com or GenealogyBank.com.
- You can also access free databases available on the internet, although they will only provide general information. Usually, paid service providers will reveal more detailed information about your last name.
Step 2. Use the services of a genealogist
You can use their services to find out the origin of your last name. Genealogists are trained to trace your ancestry and seek in-depth information about your surname.
Look for a certified genealogist online or at a college near you
Step 3. Talk to an elderly relative or family member for more information
Contact your grandparents if they are still alive. Talk to your relatives from your father's side if you have inherited your father's last name. Also ask the origin of your surname. They may have documents or stories that can help you get more detailed information about this.
