Where can i find the meaning of surenames?

Question

i have heard that every sure name is made up of what sort of work or where your ancesters lived, is there a web site that i could do this for free.

Answer 1

http://www.searchforancestors.com/surnam...

I was using that this morning!

Answer 2

go on to google and type in whatever name your looking for then walah lol

Answer 3

i found a website here on meanings of surnames http://www.last-names.net/

Answer 4

It really depends what your surname is.  Cooper, Smith, Baker etc etc obviously derive from profession.  Williamson etc derive from "son of William" and others come from place names.

If you get back far enough you will usually find at least one ancestor with the same surname as the place they lived.

There could also be a foreign influence.

I'd Google your name followed by "meaning" to see if you get anywhere but spellings change over the centuries so you might not find a clear answer.

Answer 5

www.namesandmeanings.com

Answer 6

Try a BOOK, I use the Oxford book of names which you should be able to get at your Library.

Answer 7

usually genealogy sites, don't know if any are free though.