ROCK COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
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SURNAME MEANINGS & ORIGINS

Links for Discovering the Meaning and Origin of Your Last Name
Use these carefully selected links to explore your first and last names

How did the Use of Last Names (Surnames) Arise?
The use of last names (surnames) began about 800 years ago when commerce and technology allowed for small hamlets to grow into villages and eventually cities. Once more than one Thomas, Hermann, Francois or Dimitri lived near one another, surnames were added denoting lineage (Anderson, Larsdotter, MacDonald), occupation (Baker, Wheelwright, Cooper), appearance or characteristics (Small, Young, Goode) and location (Fields, Waters, Hill). For help learning the meaning of a surname try these links:
  • How to Find the Origins of Last Names (WikiHow)
  • Discover the Meaning & History behind your Last Name (Ancestry.com)
  • Search Meanings of Last or First Names (Baby Names)










CHARLES TALLMAN ARCHIVES & RESEARCH CENTER home of the RCGS LIBRARY and RCHS ARCHIVES
​430 N. Jackson St., Janesville, WI 53547-0936 - Email RCGS.Library@gmail.com
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EMAIL a librarian FOR RESEARCH ASSISTANCE - voice mail: (608) 756-4509, extension 312

  • Home
  • Good Stuff
    • Beginners Start Here
    • Members-Only Content >
      • About Passwords
      • HAPPY HOLIDAYS ! Dozens of Members-Only Rock Co., Indexes
      • Past Speakers' Webinar Videos & Handouts
    • Free Public Content >
      • Atlases & Maps
      • Directories
      • HISTORIC PHOTOS
      • Indexes
      • Newsletter Archive
      • Search 50+ Full Text Books
      • Research Links
      • Free Genealogy Software
      • Tutorials
      • Webinars
    • Society Info >
      • Events & Speakers
      • Volunteer
      • Join RCGS
      • Member Benefits
      • Research Help
      • Buy Publications
      • Submit a Survey
      • Shop Amazon & Support RCGS
      • Meeting Times
      • RCGS Newsletter >
        • Submit a Query
    • Search RCGS Site
  • About
  • Contact
  • Store
  • Research Help