The term ‘last name’ is used interchangeably in 
Western society with both ‘family name’ and ‘surname’.
In Eastern cultures, one’s surname often
precedes one’s given name, which accounts for
the usage of ‘last name’ as a Western phenomenon.
Origin of Last Names
Last names did not become standard nor hereditary
until the tail end of the Middle Ages.
Before they were common, individuals were distinguished by nicknames.
For example Erik the Red, named for his red hair, or Harald Fairhair,
named so because he refused to cut his hair until he became King of Norway.
Many people were also distinguished by patronymics, which were additions
of their fathers’ given names to their personal names.
For instance, Egil Skalagrimson means ‘Egil, son of Skalagrim’.
Last names originated as a way to distinguish individuals with the same first,
or personal, names. This largely became necessary following the adoption of
Christianity throughout Europe, giving rise to a rampant number of Peters and Pauls.
Last Name Etymology
- Clan names, many of which begin with ‘Mac’ or ‘O’, were originally patronymics,
as ‘Mac’ means ‘son’ and ‘O’, ‘grandson’ or ‘descendant’ in Irish and Gaelic.
In Welsh, ap (also spelt ab) means ‘son’ or ‘descendant’, which resulted in names,
such as David ap Owen ap Lloyd ap Thomas ap Evan ap Brad ap Cedric ap Daniel,
which reflected the past several generations. - Names, such as Fitzhenry, are of Anglo-Norman origin, as fitz, ‘son of’ derives from the
Norman fiz/filz. Thus, names with these prefixes also began as patronymics.
Names such as Nicholaus filius Henricus, meaning ‘Nicholas, son of Henry’,
are Latin cognates of these Anglo-Norman names. - Many names derived from an ancestor’s profession, such as the Irish name, Lynch,
thought to be derived from loingseach, ‘sailor’. In English origin, however,
it is thought to mean ‘one who lives on a hillside’. - A description of a family’s location was a common means of naming.
The surname Bolingbroke was also a town in Lincolnshire, England and surname of Henry IV,
which means ‘the brook near the round hill’. - As mentioned above, nicknames are also a common root of modern last names,
such as Armstrong or Grey, derived from personal appearance; or Beauclerk, ‘great scholar’,
and Goodman, derived from personal traits.
Cultural and Historical Significance
Last names speak volumes about the medieval mindset and culture and, more importantly,
about that of your ancestors. They help you understand those who came before and unearth
pieces of your family history by revealing where your family originated or how its members earned their living.
Commemorate your forebearers with knowledge of who they were and where they came from;
honour them by showing pride in your family’s history and heritage through family emblems upon
which are inscribed your last name and family mantra, tokens of your family’s past.
A Coat of Arms is sometimes also called a Family Shield, Family Seal or Family Crest.
Contacting us
If you would like more information or advice about a specific item then please
complete our contact form or email us at info@family-pride.org
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