How to Trace the Meaning of a Last Name

You may need to search your family tree for the original spelling of your surname.

Tracing the meaning of your last name can help you discover family origin, whether you're putting together your family tree, or simply interested in learning more about your family history. There are a number of tools, both online and offline, that you can use to discover the meaning of your surname, which is often the first step in tracing one's family origin.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Family records

1. Find the original spelling of your last name. Through emigration from other countries, many surnames were shortened, or the spelling was altered. Sometimes the best way to find the original spelling is by asking the elder members of your family. If this is not feasible, you can always search public records in the town or city where your family originally resided.

2. Enter the original spelling of your surname into a free online database like SurnameDB, Ancestry.com or House of Names. Even if you don't have the original spelling, many of these online databases can help you narrow down the spelling.

3. Check public records, which can be found in the local town hall or courthouse. Even if you don't live in the area where your ancestors originated, you can request information over the phone or through the mail. There is often a processing fee for information garnered through the mail.

4. Analyze your last name. Many last names were patronymical, place-oriented or even descriptive of a person's appearance. If you have a simple name like Johnson, the originator of your surname was likely "John's son." Names like Hill could indicate that the family lived on or near a hill.

5. Visit your public library to research genealogy and historical significance of surnames. Many libraries have reference materials that help put individuals in touch with their family history, so the library is a great place to start digging.

Tips & Warnings

• Families with Asian ancestry may have more difficulty researching surname origin using basic resources. There are databases available online for Asian family surname and history, such as Surname Directory.

References

• Ancestry
• House of Names
• Family Education

Resources

• The Internet Surname Database
• Surname Directory