General Chat

I am puzzled. When did Surnames become obligatory, and who chose the names? Every so-called expert on Surnames will tell you that the name came from their occupation, Physical characteristics or place of origin. But when and who and what and where and why and how? I know a lot of people today would object if they were arbitrarily given an identifying name without their consent. So how and when? Somebody out there must know. Why is there never an Agnes around when you need one? Jim, Gosport, HAM.

Fixed surnames started to become obligitory after the Norman conquest. The surname came into use as populations began to increase, people of Norse descent had been using a patronymic name (son of) for centuries and nick names had also been used these started to become fixed as a tool for inheritance. You were just unlucky if you hated the name everyone knew you by

My one-name study is Grinsell. I think the name originated from Grinshill in Shropshire in the 1200's. It started with William the Elder then William the Younger then William the Tanner, etc. But they were all William Grinsell's. It is a very unusual name and there are more in America than here now. Anyone with any info please get in touch. Sue

I appreciate what you are saying, but who decided that Surnames were to be obligatory? These days we recognise our "Celebrities" by just one name. Elvis, Kylie, Sade. Jim

surnames also derived from the work you did i.e Miller from Mill working, Thatcher roof thatcher ect

Surnames in most European countries were created in the years 1200AD to 1300AD. The formulation began earlier and continued into the eighteen hundreds. During the 11th century surnames were not in general use, however, by the 1500AD surnames were common. As times progressed the need for the extra name evolved and by the 15th century surnames were in every day use. It is often thought that surnames were adopted by the user, as no need existed for the individual to distinguish himself from his peers. Names were used mainly to assist in the ready identification of a person for the purposes of tax payment, church records, transfer of land, military service and any official documentation. The Hundred Rolls which until the 19th century was a unit of English Government detailing citizens of a given area. This system of legal jurisdiction was introduced by King Edmund I (939-946AD).

Thank you girls, Jim

grat information but were did unusal surnames come from my maidon name was beech ok my family i know were farmers. so were did my mums name that was tillett come from anyone know would love to know. maryann

Susan Burman: You say surnames derive from occupations, ie. Miller from mill worker, Thatcher from roof thatching etc.... so...was Thatcher something to do with the medical profession?...because, whenever I hear mention of that name...people throw up, pull faces and spit!

My maiden name was Allinson, anyone know where that one comes from?

Margaret, It sounds like a Patronymic, Son of Allen I think mine was originally Viking. There was a Wythergyld in Beowulf, and I have found references to Wedderhelde in 1350. Th English language used to have two more letters. One was like a d with a cross stroke on the upright as in t. This was pronounced as th in there. Ye Olde Tea Shoppe is a remnant of this letter. The other one was the same as the Greek theta, an 0 with a cross bar. This was pronounced th as in thing. The dd replaced these letters and would have been pronounced TH as in Welsh. jim

Thank you Jim, didn't think of that one! Maggy

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE FENTON COMES FROM?