Origins of British surnames

Surnames in England came in the use after the Norman conquest in 1066. As the country's population grew, people found it necessary to be more specific when they were talking about somebody else.  Thus arose descriptions like John the Butcher, Henry son of Richard, Thomas the Whitehead, Mary the Cook and Sarah from Gloucester, that, ultimately, led to many current English surnames.The introduction of parish registers in 1538 contributed significantly to the stabilization of the surname system, but it was not until the late 17th century that fixed surnames were introduced throughout England.

In England today there is around 45,000 different surnames, but most had their origins as one of these seven types.

Occupational

Many people have got their surnames based on their job, trade or position in society. Calling a man 'Henry Fiddler' indicated that he played a fiddle for a living, while someone named Chapman was a shopkeeper. Other occupational names include Archer, Baker, Brewer, Butcher, Carter, Clark, Cooper, Cook, Dyer, Farmer, Faulkner, Fisher, Fletcher (arrow maker), Fuller, Gardener, Glover, Hornblower, Hunter, Judge, Mason, Milner, Page, Parker, Potter, Sawyer, Slater, Smith, Taylor, Thatcher, Turner, Weaver, Woodman and Wright, as well as many more. Some surnames may come in variations such as Cartwright, Arkwright or Wainwright.