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First names have likely existed since possibly soon after humans evolved into their modern forms__NOTOC__[[File:KDzshXy.jpg|thumbnail|left|250px|Figure 1. However, the origin and development of Some surnames (or last names) is far less known and is likely a more recent phenomenon. People were often designated by their larger kinship groups, often through a male line but sometimes female, as part of their identification in more ancient periods. Distinguishing by a specific surname for a person though is still not universal throughout the world, although it is now very common.origin from England and Wales]]

==Origin First names have likely existed since possibly soon after humans evolved into their modern forms. However, the origin and development of Surnames==surnames (or last names) is far less known and is likely a more recent phenomenon. People were often designated by their larger kinship groups, often through a male line but sometimes female, as part of their identification in more ancient periods. Distinguishing by a specific surname for a person is still not universal throughout the world, although it is now widespread.

==What are the Origins of Surnames?==Surnames, of sorts, are known from ancient periods. However, these surnames often had to do with clan names or names of places used as a way to distinguish a person. For instance, in ancient Greece, it would be common to refer to a person from an ancient city. Another way people were distinguished, which is still used , such as in tribal groups in the Middle East today, is to refer refers to the name of the father for the son or daughter as the person's second name. Someone would be referred In Japan, surnames never existed in the modern sense, but they were used to as the son or daughter of someonereflect roles people served in society, where including how they served the father's first name would then be used as something akin government they belonged to a surname. In the Roman EmpireAfrica and Asia, family clan names were sometimes have been used, but often this had links as something similar to clans or if other systems were used family names would often drop or not be carried from generation to generation. Ancient China may have one of the oldest traditions in using a type of surname. It seems a matrilineal and later a patrilineal system emerged where the child would take on a fixed surname that would designate the person's lineage. However, it is possible these as clan names could have changed after multiple generationstend to be more static.

Early surnames However, these could change over a long period. In the Roman Empire, family names were generally not fixed and sometimes used, but often this meant that after one or two generations, it was common to lose had links with someone's more distant past. The first recorded surname where that surname appears to be fixed appears in the 10th century in Irelandclans, where the surname Ó Cleirigh could be the oldest continuous surname. However, centuries later surnames were still uncommon in most of Europe and or if surnames other systems were used it was usually in reference to an occupation , family names would often drop or sometimes in reference not be carried from generation to someone's fathergeneration. In effectother words, these surnames did not continue beyond a few generationsthere was no fixed system of using surname designations. Surnames Ancient China may have begun to become more established in the West during and after the Norman conquest. At around the 11th century, the Norman nobility began adopting surnames the denoted location one of origin or land in which they held. This allowed them to make claims to land and it was common to use the French 'de' (of) oldest traditions in connotation to using a place or landtype of surname. This then became It seems a way the noble classes could distinguish themselves from others matrilineal, and it also allowed them to use this second name as later a way to pass that name to their kin so that land could be inherited. It effectively became a status symbol to have patrilineal system emerged where the child would take on a fixed surname so that there was no ambiguity of would designate the person's statuslineage. This was similar to how French feudal land owners also used designations such as 'de' to identify their land ownershipHowever, it is possible these names could have changed after multiple generations.<ref>For more on the ancient origin of surnames around the world, see: Redmonds, G., King, T., & Hey, D. (2011). <i>Surnames, DNA, and family history</i>. Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press.</ref>

Slowly throughout Surnames may have begun to become more established in the late Medieval period more families began to use fixed surnames. In Europe, people were still commonly referred to by their occupation West during and after the Norman conquest (e.gFigure 1).At around the 11th century, Butchers, Carpenters, etc.), but those designations the Norman nobility began to be fixed as lower classes began to imitate adopting surnames that denoted the upper classes, even though location of origin or land they may have not held any significant . This allowed them to make claims to land holdings. In some parts of Spain, people would and it was common to use a patronymic system, where it would take the name French 'de' (of the father as the surname, but ) in the Medieval and late Medieval period those names began connotation to become more fixeda place or land. By This then became a way the 1400snoble classes could distinguish themselves from others, many people began and it also allowed them to use this second name to have fixed surnames. In England, Henry VIII in the 16th century ordered pass that children take a fixed surname from name to their fatherskin so that land could be inherited. This allowed people It effectively became a status symbol to be more easily recorded and this may have helped further establish the system of a fixed surname. Recent studies have shown so that most surnames that derive from Europe has four different types there was no ambiguity of originthe person's status. This was similar to how French feudal landowners also used designations such as 'de' to identify their land ownership. They are either place-based (place <ref>For more on the history of origin)English surnames, see: Fiennes, occupation name (iJ.e., a likely trade conducted by past members of the family), derived from their fathers' name (often first name2015), or simply a nickname given to someone at some point that stayed in the family. Surnames are a combination <i>The origins of a single place origin, that is English surnames: the surname was derived at one place and one time, while other surnames are combinations story of different events and circumstanceswho we were</i>. For instance, having a surname that combines an occupation and nicknameRobert Hale Ltd; 1st Edition edition.</ref>

It was mostly ==How have Surnames changed overtime? ==[[File:Namescombo1.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|Figure 2. In Japan, surnames became more common during and after 1600the 19th century.]]Slowly throughout the late Medieval period, as European powers expanded or increased more families began to use fixed surnames. In Europe, people were still commonly referred to by their influenceoccupation (e.g., Butchers, Carpenters, surnames became globally prevalentetc.). It became easier for rulers and administrators Still, those designations began to be fixed as lower classes began to designating imitate the upper classes, even though they may not have held any significant land holdings. In some parts of Spain, people with fixed surnameswould use a patronymic system, where it would take the father's name as this facilitated records the surname, but in keeping track of the Medieval and late Medieval period, those names began to become more fixed. By the 1400s, many peoplebegan to have fixed surnames. JapanIn England, Thailandin the 16th century, and Turkey are examples of countries Henry VIII ordered that changed children take a fixed surname from their normal family name systems fathers. This allowed people to adopt be more easily recorded, which may have helped further establish a fixed surnames due to Western influencesurname system.

Since Recent studies have shown that most surnames that derive from Europe have four different types of origin. They are either place-based (place of origin), occupation name (i.e., a likely trade conducted by past members of the early Medieval periodfamily), women derived from their fathers' name (often adopted designationsfirst name), or whatever was used as simply a nickname given to someone at some point that stayed in the family. Surnames are a combination of a single place origin. That is the surnamederived at one place and one time, while other surnames are combinations of different events and circumstances. For instance, from their husbandshaving a surname that combines an occupation and nickname. This practice carried over as <ref>For more people began to adopt fixed on how surnames. It was only evolved in more recent periods England in the 20th century that women began to forgo adopting their husbands' last nameslate Medieval and early modern period, see: Smith-Bannister, S. (1997). In 1979<i>Names and naming patterns in England, part of the UN declaration for womens' equality called for the end of the practice of forcing women to adopt their husbands' surnames1538-1700</i>. Oxford [England] : New York: Clarendon Press ; Oxford University Press.</ref>

It was mostly after 1600 that surnames became globally prevalent as European powers expanded or increased their influence. It became easier for rulers and administrators to designating people with fixed surnames, as this facilitated records in keeping track of people. Japan, Thailand, and Turkey are examples of countries that changed their normal family name systems to adopt fixed surnames due to Western influence on administration (Figure 2).<ref>For more on an example of the spread of fixed surnames, see: Sevilla Casas, E. (1977). <i>Western expansion and indigenous peoples: the heritage of Las Casas </i>. The Hague: Mouton. </ref> Since the early Medieval period, women often adopted designations, or whatever was used as a surname, from their husbands. This practice carried over as more people began to adopt fixed surnames. In more recent periods in the 20th century, women began to forgo adopting their husbands' last names. In 1979, part of the UN declaration for womens' equality called for the end of forcing women to adopt their husbands' surnames. <ref>For more on the history of women, marriage, and surnames, see: Vanguri, S. M. (Ed.). (2016).<i> Rhetorics of names and naming</i>. New York: Routledge. </ref> ==What is the Social Significanceof Surnames?==Surnames, historically, had a major impact on social status throughout the Western world as they became increasingly adopted. In fact, many surnames' origin seems to be because people wanted to distinguish themselves from others by adopting a fixed surname. This has also been the case in many non-Western states, as they began to increasingly adopt Western-style surnames. Although the origin of many surnames in non-Western states used local terms or references, the effect on status has been comparable in many cases. While class was often the immediate identifier for people when surnames were used, surnames still have a powerful effect on social distinction. For example, ethnicity and religion are often assumed when certain surnames are stated.<ref>For more on the impact of surnames on the status and social standing, see: McKinley, R. A. (1990). <i>A history of British surnames </i>. London ; New York: Longman, pg. 200. </ref>

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