Search for Meanings & Distribution of 26 Million Surnames

Throughout history, people already know more than one name to distinguish them from other people of the same name. As society becomes more complex or colonized by a more complex society these distinguished names are fixed and inherited to the next generation. The nature of the surname depends on the importance of the last name when adopted. Therefore, hunting collecting societies often distinguish individuals by event, feature or religious implication. More sophisticated culture in settled society usually comes from occupation, social position or surname of residence. Surnames derived from the father's name are common in societies that are less developed, especially if they use the last name.

Last name law differs from place to place around the world. Traditionally in the past several hundred years, in many European countries women's marriage customs and laws use husband's surname and male children use their father's surname. If the identity of the child's father is unknown, or if the assumed father denies his father's identity, the newborn will have the mother's surname. This is still a custom or a law in many countries. The surname of married parents' children is usually inherited by their fathers. In recent years, there has been a tendency for equal treatment of surname, women are automatically requested or unexpected, or prohibited in some areas, the husband's surname is married, and the child automatically selects the father's last name Do not get into. Last name In this article, unless otherwise noted, this refers to the patriarchal surname that both the surname and the name were inherited from the father or inherited from the father.

In Spain and most Spanish-speaking countries, the custom is that people have two surnames. Usually, the first surname comes from the father and the second surname comes from the mother, but it may be another way. In the case of conversation or informal, only the first one is used, but both are for legal purposes. The first surname of the child is usually the first surname of the father and the second surname of the child is usually the first surname of the mother. For example, if José García Torres and María Acosta Gozz have a child named Pablo, his full name will be Pablo García Acosta. The relationship between one family and another family can usually be identified by various combinations and permutations of last names.