TheOriginsofEnglishSurnames.docx

1、The Origins of English SurnamesThe 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

2、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, everyo

3、ne in English-speaking countries has a surname, but where did they come from?Fathers nameOften a son got his surname from his father by adding “s” or “son” to his fathers given name. Robertson, Williamson, Jackson, Thomson, Richardson, Roberts, Williams and Richards are all common surnames.Occupatio

4、nOther surnames were formed from a persons 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.LocationSometimes people took place names, perhaps

5、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

6、.CharacteristicsOften, 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 Willi

7、am 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 didnt like it but they just had to put up with it! Of

8、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:nem/ n. 姓 baker /bek(r)/ n. 面包师invade /nved/ vt. 侵略，侵犯 nickname /nknem/ n. 绰号，外号occupation /kjupen/ n. 职业，工作 inherit /nhert/ vt. 继承

9、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?Reading task 2: Explain the four main types of English surnames.1. Fathers given name

10、Robert _ William _2. OccupationHenry BakerHenry SmithWilliam Carpenter3. Location1). 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. Characteristics1). A man who was unusually short might be called John_ or John _.2). A man wi

11、th 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 ar

12、e 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 persons job. Sometimes people took place names for a surname. Some people got surnames because of _ unusual physical characteristic

13、s. 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.