Online College and University Degree Guide
| Medieval surnames had a far more
important meaning attached to them in Medieval England than perhaps they do now
when we effectively inherit our surname. Medieval
names usually meant something and below are some of the more common
surnames found in Medieval England and their meaning.
|
Ashdown
|
Dweller on ash-tree
hill
|
|
Baker
|
Maker of bread
|
|
Bennett
|
blessed
|
|
Bigge
|
Big and Strong
|
|
Brickenden
|
Maker of bricks
|
|
Brooker
|
Dweller by the brook
|
|
Browne
|
Brown haired or dark
skinned
|
|
Carpenter
|
Maker of wooden
objects
|
|
Cheeseman
|
Maker of cheese
|
|
Clarke
|
Scholar, cleric or
secretary
|
|
Cooper
|
Wooden bucket maker
|
|
Fletcher
|
Maker of arrows
|
|
Foreman
|
Looks after pigs
|
|
Godfrey
|
God-peace
|
|
Gregory
|
Watchful
|
|
Hughes
|
Son of Hugh
|
|
Mannering
|
Manly
|
|
Nash
|
Dweller by the ash
tree
|
|
Payne
|
Pagan
|
|
Rolfe
|
Peasant
|
|
Taylor
|
Maker of clothes
|
|
Walter
|
Dweller by water
|
|
Ward
|
Guardian or watchman
|
|
Webb
|
Weaver
|
|
Wood
|
Dweller by the wood
|
|
|
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