Names

Our Names
First

names are known as

our given names.
Our last names are known
as our surnames.

Surnames
European

surnames first occurred

between the eleventh and fifteenth
centuries

Surnames were decided based on

many factors, including social class
and social structure, cultural tradition,
and naming practices in neighboring
cultures.

As the population grew there

were too many people with the
same given name. People had to
start using more words to
identify the person.
I saw George, Johns son, at the
market yesterday.
If your horse needs a new shoe
you should go see Marcus the
black smith.
My cousin Mary from England
is coming for a visit.

Surnames

Activity
Yesterday, we talked about how to do
research. Today you will practice doing
research. You will find out what the origin is of
your surname.
Once you found out the origin of your surname
you will need to find out the origin of your
given name.
For extra credit, find out the origin of your
middle name if you have one.

Example
Sarah
Means
This

princess

name was given

to me because my
mother heard it on
television and
thought it was a
pretty name.

Leach
Means
Some

doctor

doctors
received the last
name Leach
because doctors
used to use leeches
to cure diseases.

Homework
Talk to your parents about your
name. Ask them if they know what
your name means. Ask them why
they gave you your name. Ask
them why they chose to spell your
name the way they did. Write
down key points about your
conversation with your parents.