Guest Posted 30 December 2006 Posted 30 December 2006 my family apparently were barrel makers Cooper then.My great-grandad was too, but he was from Scotland, and up there it could be that the family came from the town of Cupar, and the English spelling kind of took over.
MC Prussian Posted 30 December 2006 Posted 30 December 2006 I got a very odd family name, even for Swiss standards. Although it is proven (and I've been to city archives to see it for meself), the name "Joho" has nothing to do with Japanese technology nor with a greeting originating from the streets of Soho or Queens. It's also neither an insult nor thought of as a joke; it is in fact older than the Swiss confederation of 1848 and written sources go back as early as the 16th century, where differently pronounced variations were quite common. Distant relatives can still be found in Switzerland, Southwest Germany and the French region of Alsace. There's also various accounts of Johos emigrating to the States, where the name has undergone some additional changes, as well. It appears to be a combination of two other, different surnames, one starting with a "Jo", the other with the "Ho". The reason why these two were put together is still unknown. It is this combination that makes it quite unusual, plus the fact that it doesn't go with the way names were given at the time. If you lived in the woods or in a marsh or on a hill, you were given the name of your geographical location, your home. Others were given the names of the region or city they stemmed from, like Berner, Langley, etc. Then there's a third group with names deducted from their profession, like Taylor, Stewart, Potter, Mason, Smith, Carter. Another group has simply been given their fist names as surnames (or the father's name), like Elliott, Walter(s), Peter(s) or Peterson, Stevens. Then there's the names describing a special physical trait or ability, like Curley, Platt, Lang, Short, Swift, Brown.
Webbo Posted 30 December 2006 Posted 30 December 2006 after reading several different fake parchments that you can buy in theme parks my name is scotish, welsh, irish or norman. i'm not sure i believe any of them.
Manwell Pablo Posted 30 December 2006 Posted 30 December 2006 My names German, it means person. fairly accurate description that.
Fez of Mahrez Posted 30 December 2006 Posted 30 December 2006 My surname means 'big fat sexy love God' Dave Fezbutfat! What a coincidence.
Daggers Posted 30 December 2006 Posted 30 December 2006 Dave Fezbutfat! What a coincidence. I am your father
Fez of Mahrez Posted 30 December 2006 Posted 30 December 2006 I am your father That would be ace. You do realise we are going to have to delete this whole conversation as it is crap and totally off-topic? Frigidaire!
Scarby Posted 30 December 2006 Posted 30 December 2006 my first name is tom (thomas) meaning twin five years after i was born my mum gave birth to twin sisters - and they say names dont mean anything
lookwhaticando Posted 31 December 2006 Posted 31 December 2006 Well mine's pretty boring. Origin: Irish/English Meaning: originally attributed to persons who lived in or came from this particular compass point. Fascinating reading, really.
The People's Hero Posted 31 December 2006 Posted 31 December 2006 Leicester family since the early sixteenth century. There is a place in Nottingham called Woollaton hall (or similar) which is my surname but spelt differently. Have a few books on my family history. Bid me not farewell, but in a fairer clime, bid me good morning.
Simi Posted 31 December 2006 Posted 31 December 2006 My surname originates from my dad Only a matter of time before someone said that !
Leicester Lass Posted 31 December 2006 Posted 31 December 2006 Dexter Surname Origin A contraction of De Exeter, from the city of Exeter, in Devonshire, England; anciently written Excester, from Exe, the name of the river on which it is situated, and cester, a camp or town, for the derivation of which see Chester. Ooo er.
MC Prussian Posted 31 December 2006 Posted 31 December 2006 How the fork do you find out?? Family. Relatives. City archives. Wikipedia. Other sources.
Libertine Posted 31 December 2006 Posted 31 December 2006 Aha, I thought there was a site everyone was using but I saw no link innit. I'll try Wikipedia.
lookwhaticando Posted 31 December 2006 Posted 31 December 2006 Aha, I thought there was a site everyone was using but I saw no link innit. I'll try Wikipedia. Just google man. "Origins of ________ surname"
DanTheFoxBhoy Posted 31 December 2006 Posted 31 December 2006 There's a good site - http://www.houseofnames.com That will give you your family's coat of arms as well. It's pretty accurate, I've only ever come across one mistake in a family crest.
Rincewind Posted 31 December 2006 Posted 31 December 2006 Thats a good one. It seems my name is Welsh in its original form. Coat of arms has 'In Copa Cautus' on it. Please tell me this is good. The site is American though and it says I can find those with my name living in America. I think they just make the coat of arms up. Mine looks like a smiley.
Nasrallah Posted 1 January 2007 Posted 1 January 2007 My surname is pure arabic. Although Im not an arab, and have no arab blood running through my veins.
Jay Posted 1 January 2007 Posted 1 January 2007 my surname apparently originates from being a family of midgets!!! however I am not one myself
MC Prussian Posted 1 January 2007 Posted 1 January 2007 my surname apparently originates from being a family of midgets!!! however I am not one myself A little surprise when you found out?
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.