What is the origin of my last name?

As with many family surnames, the origin of the last name can often be difficult to trace. In order to truly understand the origin and history of one's last name, a detailed examination into many points of research must be conducted.

The origin of the last name can often be traced back to a person's ancestors or their homeland. The language spoken by these people affects their names, such as their spelling and pronunciation. One example is that in general, Irish last names (surnames) tend to begin with "O," whereas English names usually begin with a consonant or a combination of consonants and vowels. Additionally, names from some parts of Europe are often derived from patronyms (a surname derived from the father's given name), which is why some surnames may have both a first name and a surname derived from it (such as Johnson—John's son).

In addition to geography and cultural norms, surnames may also have been chosen because they could easily indicate certain aspects about someone. These might include ethnicity or family connections; for example, certain families may have chosen their surname to emphasize their tied roots in particular regions or countries. Some examples include Italian families who take on "De" in their names if they come from Sicily or France (De Medici). Other families may choose surnames that spell out job titles or occupational specialties (such as Tinsmith) or place names (Fitzgerald). It is even possible for immigrants to change their original surname upon arrival in a new country for various logistical reasons; for example, some German immigrants changed their last name from "Mueller" to "Miller" when they arrived in America due to language barrier difficulties.