Social Sciences and the Law

When did English culture begin to develop surnames?

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English surnames developed in the late Middle Ages and, apart from patronymics (Adams, Jefferson, Jackson, Harrison), have a variety of origins; they come from places (Lincoln, Garfield, Cleveland), from trades (Tyler, Taylor), from personal traits (Stout, Black), and from the calendar (Noël, May).

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Similar questions: How did observable personal traits become surnames in England? What types of names are examples of patronymics? What types of place names have become English surnames? What types of trades became English surnames? [ Hide these questions ]

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