The Origins of English Surnames
The Chinese were the first nation of people to use surnames about 2,500 years ago. Western countries did not start to use them until about 1,000 years ago. Until that time, people were simply known only by their given names.
In England, this was not a problem until the French invaded in the 11th century. During this period, most English names became unpopular and only a few popular names were available, such as William, Henry, John, Robert, Richard and Thomas. Eventually, people had to start taking a surname to distinguish themselves from each other. Today, everyone in English-speaking countries has a surname, but where did they come from?
Father’s name
Often a son got his surname from his father by adding “s” or “son” to his father’s given name. Robertson, Williamson, Jackson, Thomson, Richardson, Roberts, Williams and Richards are all common surnames.
Occupation
Other surnames were formed from a person’s job such as Cook, Smith, Gardener, Baker, Shepherd, Taylor, Butcher or Carpenter. So, the local baker may have been called Henry Baker, the local carpenter William Carpenter and the local smith Henry Smith.
Location
Sometimes people took place names, perhaps the name of their village, for example, for a surname. Often people were given the name of a physical feature near their home such as Hill, Field, Wood, Brown or Green. The man who lived by the wood might be called Jack Wood and the man who lived on the top of a nearby hill might be called John Hill.
Characteristics
Often, the other people in the village gave a person his surname. If a person had an unusual physical characteristic, it became part of his name. So, a man who was unusually short might be called John Short or John Little. If he was tall, he may have been called William Tall or William Long. Other common nicknames were White ( for grey hair), Red ( for red hair) and Stout ( meaning fat). A son or daughter might inherit a nickname as a surname even if they themselves did not share the particular characteristic. They probably didn’t like it but they just had to put up with it! Of course, over the years many of these surnames have changed slightly but many are still used today even though most people have forgotten their meanings. Notes:
surname /?s?:ne?m/ n. 姓 baker /?be?k?(r)/ n. 面包师
invade /?n?ve?d/ vt. 侵略，侵犯 nickname /?n?kne?m/ n. 绰号，外号
occupation /??kju?pe??n/ n. 职业，工作 inherit /?n?her?t/ vt. 继承
Reading task 1: Read the text quickly and and answer the questions.
When did people in England first start using surnames?
Why did people start using surnames?
What are the different types of English surnames?
Reading task 2: Explain the four main types of English surnames.
Father's given name
Robert __________ William ____________
Occupation
Henry Baker
Henry Smith
William Carpenter
Location
1). A man who lived by the wood might be called Jack ________.
2). A man living on the top of a nearby hill might be called John ______.
4. Characteristics
1). A man who was unusually short might be called John_______ or John ________.
2). A man with red hair might be called ______.
3). A man who was quite fat might be called _______.
Reading task 3: Complete the summary.
Chinese people were the first _________(use) surnames about 2500 years ago. Western countries did not start to use surnames ________ about 1000 years ago to distinguish themselves ______ each other. There are four main _______(type) of English surnames. Some men got their surnames from their fathers by ________(add) “s” or “son” to their fathers’ given name. Some surnames __________(form) from a person’s job. Sometimes people took place names for a surname. Some people got surnames because of ________ unusual physical characteristics. Over the years many of these surnames_____________ (change) but many are still used today even ________ most people have forgotten their __________(origin) meanings.
Discussion：
What is your Chinese surname?
Do you know the origin of your Chinese surname?
Homework: Write your name story including your given name and your family name.
课件15张PPT。Do you have an English name?
What do you know about your English name?Rowan Atkinsongiven namesurname/
family nameThe Origins of English SurnamesWord notes:surname /?s?:ne?m/ n. 姓
invade /?n?ve?d/ vt. 侵略，侵犯
occupation /??kju?pe??n/ n. 职业，工作
baker /?be?k?(r)/ n. 面包师
nickname /?n?kne?m/ n. 绰号，外号
inherit /?n?her?t/ vt. 继承Reading task 1: Read the text quickly and and answer the questions.1. When did people in England first start using surnames?
2. Why did people start using surnames?
3. What are the different types of English surnames?1. When did people in England first start using surnames?
2. Why did people start using surnames?
3. What are the different types of English surnames?People in England first start using surnames about 1000 years ago.They use surnames to distingish themselves from each other.There are four main types of English surnames: father's names, occupation, location and characteristics.Reading task 2:
Explain the four main types of English surnames.the origins of English surnamesFather's given nameRobertRobertson/RobertsWilliamWilliamson/Williamsthe origins of English surnamesOccupationHenry BakerWilliam CarpenterHenry Smiththe origins of English surnamesLocation1. A man who lived by the wood might be called Jack ________.
2. A man living on the top of a nearby hill might be called John ______.WoodHillthe origins of English surnamesCharacteristics1. A man who was unusually short might be called John_______ or John ________.
2. A man with red hair might be called ______.
3. A man who was quite fat might becalled _______.ShortLittleRedStoutReading task 3: Complete the summary. Chinese people were the first _________(use) surnames about 2500 years ago. Western countries did not start to use surnames ________ about 1000 years ago to distinguish themselves ______ each other. There are four main _______(type) of English surnames. Some men got their surnames from their fathers by ________(add) “s” or “son” to their fathers’ given name. Some surnames ___________(form) from a person’s job. Sometimes people took place names for a surname. Some people got surnames because of ________ unusual physical characteristics. Over the years many of these surnames_____________ (change) but many are still used today even ________ most people have forgotten their __________(origin) meanings.to useuntilfromtypesaddingwere formedtheirhave changedthoughoriginalDiscussing:
What is your Chinese surname?
Do you know the origin of your Chinese surname?the Book of Chinese Family names《百家姓》 弓+ 长 gong zhang is an official whose wok is to make bow and arrow to fight with enemies. It has something to do with Li Er(李耳)，one of our ancestors in the ancient times. It refers to the King. The children used wang as their family name to show they are the nobility . The person who saved the King was granted(赐予) a city named Zhao City, so he inherited the family name Zhao.张：李：王：赵：Homework: Write your name story including your given name and your family name.
