Discover the Origin of Your Surname
Explore the history, etymology and meaning of thousands of surnames from around the world
Discover the Hidden History Behind Your Surname
Every surname is a window to the past that reveals secrets about your ancestors, their geographical origin, their profession, physical characteristics, or the place they came from. From the Middle Ages to the present day, surnames have been identity markers that connect generations.
Our specialized database allows you to explore the etymological meaning, linguistic roots, and historical evolution of millions of surnames. Discover whether your surname comes from an ancestor's name, a medieval occupation, a geographical location, or a distinctive characteristic.
What is the Origin of a Surname?
Each surname tells a unique story about your ancestors
Etymology
Discover the original meaning of your surname, its linguistic roots and how it evolved through time
Family History
Learn about the geographic origin of your surname, the regions where it appeared and how it spread across the world
Historical Figures
Explore notable figures who shared your surname and left their mark on world history
Historical Evolution
Understand how your surname emerged: from occupations, places, physical characteristics or given names
Migration Patterns
Track how your surname expanded across different continents and countries through the centuries
Linguistic Variants
Discover how your surname adapted and transformed in different languages and cultures
Most Consulted Surnames
Discover the origin and meaning of the most searched surnames
Sanabria
42 people
Adanır
38 people
Amamra
38 people
Hanii
38 people
Nakasai
38 people
Nasef
38 people
Bangma
34 people
Yenro
31 people
Poyiadjis
28 people
Beroudiat
27 people
Ameijide
26 people
Jaria
25 people
Naasz
25 people
Xenos
25 people
Abas
25 people
Zkrya
25 people
El hassania
25 people
Kaderabek
24 people
Brnovic
24 people
Faheem
24 people
Marrant
24 people
Recently Searched Surnames
Surnames recently viewed by users
How Were Surnames Formed?
Surnames emerged in the Middle Ages and are classified according to their origin
Patronymic
Derived from the father's name. Examples: Johnson (son of John), O'Brien (descendant of Brien), Fernández (son of Fernando)
Toponymic
Based on places of origin. Examples: London, Del Monte, Rivera, Van den Berg (from the mountain)
Occupational
Related to professions. Examples: Smith (blacksmith), Müller (miller), Carpenter, Taylor
Descriptive
By physical characteristics or traits. Examples: Brown, Klein (small), Long, Strong
Matronymic
Derived from the mother's name. Examples: Maddox (son of Maddy), Madison (son of Maud), Babcock (son of Barbara)
Religious
Based on faith or devotion. Examples: Santos, Bishop, Cruz, Chiesa (church)
Explore by Category
By Letter
Browse the complete alphabet and discover the origin of surnames organized from A to Z
Search Surname
Quickly find the origin, meaning and history of any surname
Popular Surnames
Explore the origins of the most common and searched surnames in the world
About the Project
Learn more about our research in genealogy and surname etymology
Surname Etymology
Discover the meaning and linguistic roots of the most fascinating surnames
Famous Surnames
Explore surnames of personalities who marked world history
Your Surname: A Gateway to the Past
Every surname is a time capsule that preserves the history of past generations. From medieval professions to places of origin, from physical characteristics to ancestral names, your surname holds fascinating secrets about who your ancestors were and where they came from.
Surnames as we know them today emerged mainly in the Middle Ages, when population growth made it necessary to distinguish between people with the same given name. Thus were born the patronymics, toponyms, occupational and descriptive surnames we proudly carry today.
What does your surname reveal about your roots?
🏛️ Etymological Origin
Discover the original meaning of your surname in Latin, Greek, Arabic, Germanic, or other ancient languages.
⚔️ Medieval History
Explore how your surname formed during the Middle Ages and what social role your ancestors had.
🗺️ Ancestral Geography
Learn about your surname's regions of origin and how it expanded across continents and centuries.
👤 Historical Figures
Discover notable figures who shared your surname and left their mark on history.
🔤 Linguistic Evolution
Track how your surname transformed as it adapted to different languages and writing systems.
🌿 Family Tree
Begin your genealogical research by learning about your family surname's origin and dispersal.
The Five Main Types of Surnames
European and American surnames are mainly classified into five categories, each revealing different aspects about our ancestors:
Patronymic: Derived from the father's or mother's name. Examples: Fernández (son of Fernando), Johnson (son of John), O'Brien (descendant of Brien).
Toponymic: Based on places of origin. Examples: Del Monte, Rivera, London, Van den Berg.
Occupational: Related to professions. Examples: Herrero, Smith (blacksmith), Müller (miller), Carpenter.
Descriptive: From physical characteristics or personality traits. Examples: Rubio, Moreno, Klein (small), Fortis (strong).
Religious: Based on devotion or religious events. Examples: Santos, De la Cruz, Bishop, Chiesa.
A Journey Through Time
Some surnames are over 1000 years old. Chinese surnames, for example, date back to millennial dynasties. In Europe, many noble surnames can be traced to the 9th and 10th centuries, while most common surnames were established between the 12th and 16th centuries.
During the colonization of the Americas, European surnames mixed with local traditions, creating new variants and adaptations. The great migrations of the 19th and 20th centuries carried surnames from every corner of the world to new territories, where they evolved and adapted to new languages.
Begin Your Genealogical Journey
Discover the history, etymology, and meaning of your surname right now
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