If you’re trying to learn more about your family, there’s probably no better place to start looking than your name!
While there are plenty of exceptions, closely studying your name can reveal all sorts of fascinating nostalgic info about your family’s past, information to be treasured and passed down.
Just as we hold onto physical heirlooms, like this incredibly lucky wedding dress, we also try to keep our family names alive, so that we can keep a record of the stories they tell!
For one thing, there’s no easier way to trace a family tree! Last names these days are often passed down from both the mother and the father, and many maiden names are kept alive in other ways.
With that information, websites like Ancestry.com can help you trace where both sides of the family have been, what they experienced, and how they lived.
Your surname may be just one word, but it can reveal everything from the national origins of your family to what your great-great-great-grandfather did for a living.
Do you know your surname's fascinating history? Let us know in the comments below!
Some of the most popular names of all are pretty self-explanatory.
Smith, for example, is the most popular last name in the U.S. — and it indicates that you have an ancestor that was a metalsmith.
Similar rules apply for other "occupational" names, like Taylor and Hunter. A slew of others have to do with direct lineage. Johnson, Anderson, and so on are all reflections of parentage.
But there are a handful of other popular last names with truly surprising (and occasionally bizarre!) meanings.
Name #1: Lewis
You don't want to mess with someone named Lewis!
It's a name most often associated C.S. Lewis, author of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, and with Meriwether Lewis, one of the explorers to set off across the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
It's an especially apt name for the latter Lewis, because it means "renowned warrior," and comes from the ancient Norman name Lowis.
It was later adopted and changed to Lewis by the Welsh and English, and is closely related to a host of other European names, from the obvious (Louis) to the surprising (Hludwig).
Name #2: Allen
If you have an Allen or two on your family tree, you're probably quite the looker!
This name, which traces its roots back to the British Isles, is derived from the Celtic name Aluinn, which means "handsome." Not a bad genetic legacy if you ask us!
There's a counterargument that the name might actual derive from a Gaelic word meaning "harmony," which isn't a bad option either.
That said, we'll stick with the "good-looking" explanation!
Name #3: Cooper
Cooper is one of those popular "occupational" names that we mentioned earlier, but lots of people don't realize that at first.
That's because the English word "cooper" is a bit of a dusty word for an even more old-fashioned profession!
A cooper is someone who makes barrels, which was a very popular line of work back in the day, especially during the age of exploration — during which time sailors and travelers relied on barrels to keep their food and precious supply of fresh water safe.
If you're a Cooper, you can bet that one of your ancestors kept a lot of seafarers alive in desperate times!
Name #4: Russell
These days, Russell is a pretty popular given name (as in actor Russell Crowe), but it has an even more fascinating history as a surname!
It mostly likely comes from the Old French word ros, meaning "red."
It's the same root word that gives us contemporary words like rose, rust, and even the country name Russia, but in this context, Russell is a descriptor for someone with red hair or reddish skin.
If you're a Russell, you may come from a long line of proud redheads!
Name #5: Perry
Perry is one of those names that sounds just like what it means, so much so that you may be surprised not to have made the connection before!
It's an English name meaning "one who dwells by a pear tree," and comes from the Old English pyrige.
It also shares a Romance language link with the Portuguese surname Pereira, which means, simply, pear tree.
If you're a Perry, this might be the perfect time to plant your signature tree in the backyard, or even start a whole orchard. After all, it's your ancestral destiny!
Name #6: Campbell
This is one of our absolute favorites, because it's a total surprise!
Campbell, which is a popular last name, and an equally popular brand of soup, has its origins in a cute and quirky nickname.
It's a Scottish name that derives from two words that together mean "crooked mouth" or "wry mouth."
The term was used as a nickname for people forever cracking sarcastic jokes, and essentially is just Scottish Gaelic for "smart aleck!"
That backstory makes us pretty jealous of all the Campbells out there!
Name #7: Clark
If your last name is Clark, you're probably from a very brainy family!
That's because the name Clark is very closely related to the word "clerk;" both are English derivations of a Latin word meaning "scribe or scholar."
Most likely, you can trace your family's roots back to an ancestor who worked as a secretary or scribe in an era where most people couldn't read or write.
"Clarks" would have been especially bright people given the education and opportunity to write and read on behalf of people without the skills to do so.
In short, if you're a voracious reader and writer today, you can probably blame it on your last name!
Name #8: Graham
You might associate this name with the tasty crackers you make s'mores with, but there are actually a few different origin stories behind the popular name Graham. Everyone agrees that it's a location's name.
Some people favor the simple explanation that it comes from the English town "Grantham," but we prefer the deeper description.
Namely, that Graham and the town of Grantham share a root with the word "gravel." It's more than a simple place name; it actually means "gravelly homestead."
Those with the last name Graham probably had scrappy, pioneering ancestors who could survive anything!
If you spotted your name on the list (or wish you had!), let us know in the comments! And don't forget to SHARE with friends who want to learn more about their family history, too!
