By David Peel
Last names have only been around for about 1000 years.
Prior to this, a person was known by their name plus other information. We see this in the biblical text often. Jesus of Nazareth, Simon the zealot, David son of Jesse. Is your name here?
Surnames usually incorporate traits, such as occupations. For example:
Fletcher (arrow maker—feathers still called fletchings), Bowyer (made bows), Stringer/Stringfellow (strings for bows), Archer, Smith/goldsmith, Roper (rope maker), Chandler (candlemaker), Potter, Tanner, Barker (bark used in tanning), Cooper (barrel maker), Mason, Tailor/Taylor, Spinner, Weaver/Webb/Webster, Dyer, Thatcher (thatched roofs), Tyler, Slater (roofer).
Miller or muller (ground flour) Baker, Cheeseman, Spicer, Cook, Fisher, Shepherd, Carter (drove carts), Clarke, Skinner, Gardener/Gardner, Faulkner/falconer/Fowler (caught birds), Sawyer (sawed logs), Turner (used a lathe) Chapman/hawker (peddled at markets), Inman (innkeeper), Baxter/Brewster (brewer), Wheeler, Hooper (barrel-hoops), Mercer (cloth-seller), Horner (crafted horns) Spooner (spoon-maker) Crocker, Fuller/Walker (pounded or walked on thick cloth), Wright/Cartwright/wheelwright (maker).
Chambers/Chamberlain (officials in castles), Bailey (bailiff), Spencer, (storehouse), Napier (napkin provider), Parker, Reeves (official), Warner/Warriner (rabbit warrens), Parsons (parsons servant.
Franklin (landowning farmer), Foster/ Forester, Hayward, Woodward, Coward (cowherder), Hoggard (hogs), Stoddard (watched oxen or horses), Yates (gatekeeper), Burgess (ranking local man), Bond (serf/bondsman), Fry (freeman).
Peel seeks justice for those injured in tractor trailer and car accidents, medical malpractice, and disability. He often addresses churches, clubs and groups without charge. Peel may be reached through PeelLawFirm.com wherein other articles may be accessed.
