What is surname mean?

A surname, also known as a last name or family name, is a hereditary and ancestral identifier that is passed down from generation to generation. The meaning and origin of a surname can vary widely depending on the culture and country of origin. Surnames can reflect a person's occupation, location, physical characteristics, or even their ancestors' names. Some common examples of occupational surnames include Smith, Carpenter, and Baker, while location-based surnames include Hill, Lake, and Woods. Physical characteristic surnames include Short, Brown, and Black, while patronymic surnames are based on an ancestor's first name, such as Johnson or Wilson. The study of surnames and their meaning is called onomastics.