The surname is inherited by people of the same family from generation to generation. Initially, only rich and noble people had them. After the abolition of serfdom, they began to be given to former serfs. Most often they were compiled on behalf of the former owner. That is why there are namesakes who have absolutely no relationship.
How did the surnames form?
They could be formed on behalf of the father (for example, Ivanov, Petrov, Ilyin). Could indicate the profession of a person (Kuznetsov, Goncharov). Some characterize a person externally - Krasavin, Bezborodov - or describe his internal qualities (for example, Bogomolov, Dobrov, etc.). However, it is not always possible to guess the meaning of the surname correctly. There is a special science - onomastics, which tries to understand the secret of proper names.
We get our full name from our father and can't choose it. However, after coming of age, each person is free to take a pseudonym for himself. Some take French, Spanish, American surnames. Girls, as a rule, are more concerned about this issue, especially if the father's surnamediscordant.
American surnames of girls: what makes them special?
As is known from history, the main inhabitants of America are immigrants from Europe, Africa and other countries. The difference is only in the time of their relocation. Most of them kept their last names when they moved. But later they changed, adapting to the English language. Some were reduced, in others some sounds changed. Indians and Africans were given surnames by a nickname.
As a result, the American surnames of girls and men do not differ in any way. Initially, there were differences, for example, if a Bulgarian became an American. However, some of them just have a specifically feminine sound.
Most Popular American Girl Names and Surnames
To date, the most popular American surnames are: Smith, Williams, Miller, Taylor, Brown, Davis. For example, surnames such as Moore, Thomas, Walker, Houston, Bellows, Stone, etc. are much less common.
As for the names, here the scope is also very wide. Most American female names are consonant with ours, but are pronounced differently. For example, Helen, Katherine, Joan, Hannah, etc. There are Betty, Carolyn, Judy, Goldie, Amelie, less familiar to the Russian ear. Names of American stars are popular, such as Riana, Jennifer, Charlize, etc.
Meanings of some American surnames and girl names
American surnames of girls, as noted above, have differentorigin. Let's try to determine the meaning of some of them.
Most of the surnames that came to America from England are completely consonant with the names. For example, Henry, Owen, Thomas. Surnames with the prefixes Mc (poppy) and O' (o) sound very nice. Both of them denote paternal kinship, for example, MacMillan is the son of Milan, or O'Brian is the son of Brian. The prefix "poppy" came from Scotland, and "O" from Ireland.
Some of the surnames are formed from the names of the area. For example: English, Irish, Wales, Welsh, etc. It is easy to determine from them where a person comes from. Some denote a profession or position (Parker, Forester, Foster, Sheriff, Burgess). Most often they were formed from nicknames. It could be any government positions, agricultural professions, hobbies, crafts, etc.
Just like Russian surnames, some American ones were formed from the characteristics of a person. Maybe in the future the connection between the character and the surname of a person was lost. In addition, sometimes the name calls the exact opposite quality: for example, Strakhov - for a handsome person. The following surnames can be attributed to this group: Bigg, Strong, Low, Little.
It should be noted that a large group consists of beautiful American surnames for girls that came from Spain, Germany, Greece, etc. However, most of them have changed over time and acquired an English sound.
