Family Names Surnames are names that families share. They are passed down from generation to generation today, but this was not always the case. Last names were first used in Europe during the middle Ages. People only had first names, so if three men named John lived in your village, it could get very confusing! However, if one John was a baker, one was an archer, and one was a barrel maker, you could tell them apart by calling them by their profession. John the baker became John Baker, John the archer became John Archer, and John the barrel maker became John Cooper. Does your family name... Show more

Family Names
Surnames are names that families share. They are passed down from generation to generation today, but this was not always the case. Last names were first used in Europe during the middle Ages. People only had first names, so if three men named John lived in your village, it could get very confusing! However, if one John was a baker, one was an archer, and one was a barrel maker, you could tell them apart by calling them by their profession. John the baker became John Baker, John the archer became John Archer, and John the barrel maker became John Cooper.

Does your family name come from a job your ancestors had long ago?

Last Name	Occupation	Origin
Bender	Bow Maker	This name comes from the Old English word 'bendbow,' for someone who makes bows for archery.
Cartwright	Cart Maker/Repairer	People named Cartwright were early transportation engineers.
Fletcher	Arrow Maker/Seller	Fletcher comes from the French word 'fleche,' which means arrow.
Mason	Stone Worker	Masons built brick and stone buildings such as castles.
Parker	Gamekeeper	Parkers took care of the woodlands and wildlife, much like a park ranger today.
Saddler	Saddle Maker	This person made saddles for horses.
Steward	Manager	The word 'steward' comes from Middle English and was the title of the person who managed someone else’s estate or home.

 

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