Hi Barry,
Yes, surnames were a late invention. We generally know who our mother
is, but not always who's the father, so initially surnames (as the name
would suggest) were a recognition or 'admission' of fatherhood. They may
reflect the business, occupation or personal characteristic of the
parent. Eg. Smith (blacksmith, silversmith, tinsmith, ...), Burnside
(beside the stream) or Plowman (Farmer). During WW2, one of my friends
was evacuated as a child to Wales, where she became known simply as
"Sylvia Evacuee" she later emigrated to Australia post war. so the
history of surnames is an interesting study. Thanks for this snippet.
Gordon
On 19/08/2025 11:08 am, barry woolner via CoTyroneList wrote:
I found this educational.
The tradition of inheriting your parents' surname is not all that old,
particularly in the English-speaking world. Surnames only started
appearing in England after the Norman Conquest in 1066, and many
families resisted surnames for centuries thereafter, associating their
imposition with feudal government and taxation.
* *Guest: * Harry Parkin, University of Chester, editor of the
/Concise Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain/
<https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/latenightlive/surnames-history/105669122>
Why do we bother with surnames? - ABC listen
<https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/latenightlive/surnames-history/105669122>
Download the ABC listen app to hear more of your favourite podcasts
www.abc.net.au
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/latenightlive/surnames-history/105669122
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:* James McKane via CoTyroneList
<[email protected]>
*Sent:* 18 August 2025 22:05
*To:* CoTyroneIreland.com Mailing List
<[email protected]>
*Cc:* James McKane <[email protected]>
*Subject:* [CoTyroneMailingList] New Content - First Glendermott
Presbyterian Church, Glendermott Presbytery, County Londonderry,
Northern Ireland: Pew Holders & Stipend Payers 1908
First Glendermott Presbyterian Church, Glendermott Presbytery, County
Londonderry, Northern Ireland: Pew Holders & Stipend Payers 1908
<https://www.cotyroneireland.com/churchrecord/glendermott5.html>
Thanks again to Len Swindley for another great addition to CTI!
Jim McKane
Kitchener, Ontario
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