When surnames first came into popular use in 12th-century Europe, many people came to be identified by what they did for a living. A blacksmith named John, became John Smith. A man who made his living grinding flour from grain took the name Miller. Does your family name come from the work your ancestors did long ago?

Last Name: BARKER
Occupation: Shephard
Barker comes from the Norman word barches, meaning “shepherd,” the person who watches over a flock of sheep.

Last Name: BLACK
Occupation: Dyer
Men named Black were cloth dyers who specialized in black dyes. In medieval times, all cloth was originally white, and had to be dyed to create colorful cloth.

Last Name: CARTER
Occupation: Delivery man
A person who drove a cart pulled by oxen, carrying goods from town to town, was named Carter.

Last Name: CHANDLER
Occupation: Candlemaker
From the French word 'chandelier,' this name referred to a person who made candles.

Last Name: COOPER
Occupation: Barrelmaker
A cooper was someone who made wooden barrels, vats, or casks.

Last Name: FISHER
Occupation: Fisherman
This occupational name derives from the Old English word 'fiscere,' meaning fisherman.

Last Name: KEMP
Occupation: Wrestler
A strong man who was a champion at jousting or wrestling. Derived from the Middle English word 'kempe,' which came from Old English 'cempa,' meaning 'warrior' or 'champion.'

Last Name: MILLER
Occupation: Miller
A man who made his living grinding flour from grain.

Last Name: SMITH
Occupation: Metalworker
Anyone who worked with metal was called a smith. A Blacksmith worked with iron, a Whitesmith worked with tin, and a Goldsmith worked with gold. This was one of the most common occupations in Medieval times, so it is little wonder that SMITH is now among the most common surnames worldwide.

Last Name: WALL
Occupation: Mason
The name given to a special kind of mason, a wall was one who specialized in building wall structures.

Does your family name come from the work your ancestors did long ago? Search for the origin of your surname in the Glossary of Last Name Meanings & Origins.

Related Resources: Researching Your Ancestor's Occupation | Glossary of Old Occupations