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by RFlagg on March 15th, 2007

RFlagg

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When in history did people first start to use surnames?

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  • by Universe Of Life on March 15th, 2007

    Universe Of Life

    A family name, surname, or last name is the part of a person's name that indicates to what family he or she belongs. Until the 12th century, most people throughout the world did not use or have a family name, and they were called by the single name they had (which was called a "first" or "given name" only after family names came into use). One of the most accepted theories for the origin of surname use attributes their introduction to the Normans and the Domesday Book of 1086. The use of surnames gradually became an accepted practice throughout Western Europe in the Middle Ages. In parts of the world, family names did not appear in common use until the 17th to 19th centuries, and they are unused in some cultures even today.


    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_name

    Comments

    • A very useful answer, thank you.

      RFlagg

      by RFlagg on March 15th, 2007

    • most welcome, thanks for the opportunity ...

      Universe Of Life

      by Universe Of Life on March 15th, 2007

    • actually surnames have been in europe for over 2000 years!
      not from th3 11th century which people are saying.
      example.
      julius cesare
      marcus Antonius (marc Antony)

      sure there were first name only people too, but there were plenty of surnames before christ!

      Christianseoul

      by Christianseoul on February 14th, 2012

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