How to Look Up Surname Meanings

Knowing the origins and meaning of your surname can give you clues about your ancestors.

Surnames, also known as family names or last names, are names added to a person's give name (first name) to show which family the person belongs to. Surnames have been around for more than 1,000 years. Many surnames have origins based on the occupation, hobby, physical attributes or location of a certain person. Looking up the meaning of your surname can give you an idea of what area of the world your ancestors were from and give you a literal translation of what your last name means.

Instructions

Searching with the Internet

1. Log-on to the Internet and visit websites like SurnameDB.com, Surnames.BehindtheName.com and Genealogy.FamilyEducation.com. Each website allows you to browse through expansive lists of surnames or search for one surname in particular.

2. Enter the surname you want to find the meaning of in the search box provided on SurnameDB.com, Surnames.BehindtheName.com and Genealogy.FamilyEducation.com and then click on either "Submit," "Search" or "Find Your Last Name." Wait a moment while the website locates the surname you are searching for.

3. Read through the history, origins and meaning of your last name. If no results come up for the surname you searched for try an alternative spelling of the name. For example, if you are searching for the history and meaning of the surname "Pyke" but get no results, try searching for the variant spelling "Pike."

Searching with Books and Historical Documents

1. Visit your local library to look at or check out books related to surname meanings and history. Search the library's catalog for surname dictionaries, Bible records, articles and other genealogy reference books. Ask a librarian or research assistant for her help in locating the right books if you are having trouble finding them.

2. Look through the genealogy and surname origin books and find your surname. Most surname books list the names alphabetically or by geographic origin. If you cannot find your surname, look for an alternative spelling of the name (for example, "Stevens" and "Stephens").

3. Write down the meanings and origin of your last name or use a copy machine to copy the information. You can also cross-reference your findings with family trees and other genealogical documents to trace your ancestral line, if you desire.

References

• BBC: "What's In a Name? Your Link to the Past"; Paul Blake; 2011
• New York State Library: Surnames - A Pathfinder
• ipl.org: Surnames

Resources

• SurnameDB.com
• Surnames.BehindtheName.com
• Genealogy.FamilyEducation.com
• "A Dictionary of Surnames"; Patrick Hanks and Flavia Hodges; 1988