Where/when did last names originate?

[xboxist]

It just occured to me that the Bible doesn't feature last names. At least I don't think so... I've only flipped through it in the past, and I did just now again to confirm, and I didn't see any last names.

So... is the exact origin of last names known? Where and when did they first pop up at? I suck at Google-ing... I was only finding pages on things like tracking your family history and what your last name means, etc.

 

[Bootprint]

history of surnames

 

[xboxist]

Excellent - thank you. I forgot about that keyword.

 

[maziwanka]

Originally posted by: Bootprint
history of surnames

whoa. interesting read.

 

[lobadobadingdong]

Originally posted by: maziwanka

Originally posted by: Bootprint
history of surnames

whoa. interesting read.

I didn't know that.

 

[Ness]

In some cultures, a person's surname is their father's (or sometimes husband's) first name. These are usually cultures that don't pay much attention to surnames OR cultures that use the name to show posession of the person.

With most European descendants, the name usually comes from your occupation, or who's house you belong.

Such as John Smith would likely be a blacksmith, or Kevin James may be a paige in the house of the Earl of James... (I don't think there is an earl of James, but I'm just saying that for reference.)

In Patrilinear cultures, people would take the names of their fathers, and history is traced through fathers.

In Matrilinear cultures, people take the names of their mothers (if any surname at all) and history is traced though mothers.