SURNAME

In modern European usage, the family name of an individual; but often used for any distinguishing name. {See Name.) According to Ducange, the use of surnames in France began about the year 987, when the barons adopted the practice of designating themselves by the names of their estates. And this has been the general, though by no means the uniform origin, of family names in the nobility of Europe; some having been derived from badges, cognizances, the nicknames applied to individuals, . Among the commonalty of this country, surnames are said not to have been general before the reign of Edward II. It will be found on examination that a great number of them originate in the still older custom of adding to the son's Christian name that of the father by way of distinction; many more from the names of trade; and many more from accidental distinctions, as of size or colour, probably applied in the first instance to the founder of the family. [s. 1209]