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[[File:KDzshXy.jpg|thumbthumbnail|left|250px|Figure 1. Some surnames and their origin from England and Wales]]First names have likely existed since possibly soon after humans evolved into their modern forms. However, the origin and development of 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 of Surnames====Surnames, of sorts, are known from ancient periodsFirst names have likely existed since possibly soon after humans evolved into their modern forms. However, these the origin and development of surnames often had to do with clan names (or last names of places used as ) is far less known and is likely a way to distinguish more recent phenomenon. People were often designated by their larger kinship groups, often through a person. For instancemale line but sometimes female, as part of their identification in more ancient Greece, it would be common to refer to periods. Distinguishing by a specific surname for a person from an ancient city. Another way people were distinguished, which is still used such as in tribal groups in not universal throughout the Middle East todayworld, although it is to refer to the name of the father for the son or daughter as the person's second name. In Japan surnames never existed in the modern sense but they were used to reflect roles people served in society, including to how they served the government they belonged to. In Africa and Asia, clan names have been used as something similar to a fixed surname, as clan names tend to be more staticnow widespread.

==What are the Origins of Surnames?==Surnames, of sorts, are known from ancient periods. However, these could change over a long period. In the Roman Empire, family names were sometimes used, but surnames often this had links to clans do with clan names or if other systems were names of places used family names to distinguish a person. For instance, in ancient Greece, it would often drop or not be carried common to refer to a person from generation to generationan ancient city. In other wordsAnother way people were distinguished, which is still used, such as in tribal groups in the Middle East today, there was no fixed system of using surname designations. Ancient China may have one refers to the name of the oldest traditions in using a type of surname. It seems a matrilineal and later a patrilineal system emerged where father for the child would take on a fixed surname that would designate son or daughter as the person's lineagesecond name. HoweverIn Japan, it is possible these names could have changed after multiple generations.<ref>For more on the ancient origin of surnames around never existed in the worldmodern sense, see: Redmondsbut they were used to reflect roles people served in society, Gincluding how they served the government they belonged to.In Africa and Asia, Kingclan names have been used as something similar to a fixed surname, T., & Hey, D. (2011). <i>Surnames, DNA, and family history</i>. Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Pressas clan names tend to be more static.</ref>

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 had links to clans, or two generationsif other systems were used, it was common family names would often drop or not be carried from generation to lose links with someone's more distant pastgeneration. The first recorded In other words, there was no fixed system of using surname where that surname appears to be fixed appears in designations. Ancient China may have one of the 10th century oldest traditions in Irelandusing a type of surname. It seems a matrilineal, and later a patrilineal system emerged where the child would take on a fixed surname Ó Cleirigh that would designate the person's lineage. However, it is possible these names could be the oldest continuous surnamehave changed after multiple generations.<ref>For more on the origins ancient origin of Irish surnamesaround the world, see: MacLysaghtRedmonds, EG., King, T., & Hey, D. (19852011). <Ii>The surnames of Ireland (6th ed)Surnames, DNA, and family history</Ii>. Blackrock, Co. DublinOxford ; New York: Irish Academic Oxford University Press.</ref> However, centuries later surnames were still uncommon in most of Europe and if surnames were used it was usually in reference to an occupation or sometimes in reference to someone's father. In effect, these surnames did not continue beyond a few generations.

Surnames may have begun to become more established in the West during Early surnames were generally not fixed, and this meant that after the Norman conquest (Figure 1). At around the 11th centuryone or two generations, the Norman nobility began adopting surnames that denoted location of origin or land in which they held. This allowed them to make claims to land and it was common to use the French lose links with someone'de' (of) in connotation to a place or lands more distant past. This then became a way the noble classes could distinguish themselves from others and it also allowed them to use this second name as a way to pass The first recorded surname where that name surname appears to their kin so that land could be inherited. It effectively became a status symbol to have a fixed appears in the 10th century in Ireland, where the surname so that there was no ambiguity of Ó Cleirigh could be the person's status. This was similar to how French feudal land owners also used designations such as 'de' to identify their land ownershipoldest continuous surname.<ref>For more on the history origins of English Irish surnames, see: Fiennes MacLysaght, JE. (20151985). <iI>The origins of English surnames: the story of who we wereIreland (6th ed)</iI>. Robert Hale Ltd; 1st Edition editionBlackrock, Co. Dublin: Irish Academic Press.</ref>However, centuries later, surnames were still uncommon in most of Europe. If surnames were used, it was usually about an occupation or sometimes about someone's father. In effect, these surnames did not continue beyond a few generations.

====Recent Developments====[[File:Namescombo1.jpg|thumb|Figure 2. In Japan, surnames became Surnames may have begun to become more common established in the West during and after the 19th Norman conquest (Figure 1). At around the 11th century.]]Slowly throughout , the late Medieval period more families Norman nobility began to use fixed adopting surnamesthat denoted the location of origin or land they held. In EuropeThis allowed them to make claims to land, people were still commonly referred and it was common to by their occupation use the French 'de' (e.g., Butchers, Carpenters, etc.of), but those designations began in connotation to be fixed as lower classes began to imitate the upper classes, even though they may have not held any significant a place or land holdings. In some parts of Spain, people would use This then became a patronymic systemway the noble classes could distinguish themselves from others, where and it would take the also allowed them to use this second name to pass that name of the father as the surname, but in the Medieval and late Medieval period those names began to become more fixedtheir kin so that land could be inherited. By the 1400s, many people began It effectively became a status symbol to have fixed surnames. In England, Henry VIII in the 16th century ordered that children take a fixed surname from their fathersso that there was no ambiguity of the person's status. This allowed people was similar to how French feudal landowners also used designations such as 'de' to be identify their land ownership.<ref>For more easily recorded and this may have helped further establish on the history of English surnames, see: Fiennes, J. (2015). <i>The origins of English surnames: the system story of a fixed surnamewho we were</i>. Robert Hale Ltd; 1st Edition edition. </ref>

Recent studies ==How have shown that most Surnames changed overtime? ==[[File:Namescombo1.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|Figure 2. In Japan, surnames became more common during and after the 19th century.]]Slowly throughout the late Medieval period, more families began to use fixed surnames that derive from . In Europe have four different types of origin. They are either place-based (place of origin), people were still commonly referred to by their occupation name (ie.eg., a likely trade conducted by past members of the family)Butchers, Carpenters, derived from their fathers' name (often first nameetc.). Still, or simply a nickname given those designations began to be fixed as lower classes began to someone at some point that stayed in imitate the familyupper classes, even though they may not have held any significant land holdings. Surnames are a combination In some parts of Spain, people would use a single place originpatronymic system, that is where it would take the father's name as the surname was derived at one place and one time, while other surnames are combinations of different events and circumstances. For instance, having a surname that combines an occupation and nickname.<ref>For more on how surnames evolved in England but in the Medieval and late Medieval and early modern period, see: Smith-Bannisterthose names began to become more fixed. By the 1400s, Smany people began to have fixed surnames. (1997). <i>Names and naming patterns In England, in Englandthe 16th century, 1538-1700</i>Henry VIII ordered that children take a fixed surname from their fathers. Oxford [England] : New York: Clarendon Press ; Oxford University PressThis allowed people to be more easily recorded, which may have helped further establish a fixed surname system.</ref>

It was mostly after 1600Recent studies have shown that most surnames that derive from Europe have four different types of origin. They are either place-based (place of origin), as European powers expanded or increased occupation name (i.e., a likely trade conducted by past members of the family), derived from their influencefathers' name (often first name), surnames became globally prevalent. It became easier for rulers and administrators or simply a nickname given to designating people with fixed surnames, as this facilitated records someone at some point that stayed in keeping track the family. Surnames are a combination of peoplea single place origin. JapanThat is the surname derived at one place and one time, Thailand, and Turkey while other surnames are examples combinations of countries different events and circumstances. For instance, having a surname that changed their normal family name systems to adopt fixed surnames due to Western influence on administration (Figure 2)combines an occupation and nickname.<ref>For more on an example of how surnames evolved in England in the spread of fixed surnameslate Medieval and early modern period, see: Sevilla Casas Smith-Bannister, ES. (19771997). <i>Western expansion Names and indigenous peoples: the heritage of Las Casas naming patterns in England, 1538-1700</i>. The HagueOxford [England] : New York: MoutonClarendon Press ; Oxford University Press. </ref>

Since the early Medieval period, women often adopted designations, or whatever It was used mostly after 1600 that surnames became globally prevalent as a surname, from European powers expanded or increased their husbandsinfluence. This practice carried over as more It became easier for rulers and administrators to designating people began to adopt with fixed surnames. It was only , as this facilitated records in more recent periods in the 20th century that women began to forgo adopting their husbands' last nameskeeping track of people. In 1979Japan, Thailand, part and Turkey are examples of the UN declaration for womens' equality called for the end of the practice of forcing women countries that changed their normal family name systems to adopt their husbands' fixed surnamesdue to Western influence on administration (Figure 2). <ref>For more on an example of the history spread of women, marriage and fixed surnames, see: VanguriSevilla Casas, S. ME. (Ed.). (20161977).<i> Rhetorics Western expansion and indigenous peoples: the heritage of names and namingLas Casas </i>. New YorkThe Hague: RoutledgeMouton. </ref>

====Social Significance====SurnamesSince the early Medieval period, historicallywomen often adopted designations, had or whatever was used as a major impact on social status throughout the Western world as they became increasingly adopted. In factsurname, the origin of many surnames seems to be because people wanted to distinguish themselves from others by adopting a fixed surnametheir husbands. This has also been the case in many non-Western states, practice carried over as they more people began to increasingly adopt Western-style fixed surnames. Although In more recent periods in the origin of many surnames in non-Western states used local terms or references20th century, the effect on status has been comparable in many caseswomen began to forgo adopting their husbands' last names. While class was often In 1979, part of the immediate identifier UN declaration for people when surnames were used, today surnames still have a powerful effect in social distinction. For example, ethnicity and religion are often assumed when certain womens' equality called for the end of forcing women to adopt their husbands' surnames are stated.<ref>For more on the impact history of women, marriage, and surnames on status and social standing, see: McKinleyVanguri, RS. AM. (Ed.). (19902016). <i>A history Rhetorics of British surnames names and naming</i>. London ; New York: Longman, pg. 200Routledge. </ref>

==What is the Social Significance of Surnames?==SummarySurnames, 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> ==Summary==While using naming designations to distinguish people has existed since early recorded history, systems were not generally fixed , and surnames were often only relevant during a lifetime of an individual's lifetime. Sometimes kinship-based surnames lasted for multiple generations, in cases where clan distinctions would be used. However, in many parts of the world , surnames were either nonexistent or were not fixed. Distinguishing class became a primary motive for the development of developing surnames in the West, starting after the Norman conquest. Soon, this pattern was imitated by the lower classes. It was only Only during the rapid expansion of European powers and influence from around 1600 did formal, fixed surnames become a global phenomenon. By that point, many regions either imitated or may have been even forced to adopt fixed surnames to keep track of individuals and facilitate record keeping.