Example: Robert, son of Tom would be Robert Tomson (Thompson); Robert Thompson's son, Edward, would become Edward Robertson.

Pronunciation: [pat-truh-ni-miks] • (noun)  

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Searching for Surnames
Essential Web searching strategies and techniques for finding surnames and family Web pages on the Internet.

Surname Meanings and Origins
Learn about the origin of your surname, the history and meaning of your surname, if your surname is common and where it is common, and the how and why of name changes and variant spellings.