How should I pronounce my last name? Supposedly, my last name is Danish. It's rare enough that every single person with this last name is somebody I know, except for when Google finds some weirdo evil versions of us in Denmark. I've always wondered how an actual Danish person would pronounce it, and if it differs significantly from how we pronounce it. [more inside]
posted by floam on Nov 12, 2009 - 24 answers

Help me track down the meaning of a surname. The name is "Naftzger." It seems to be a Germanic (if not German) word for an occupation (e.g. "Metzger" means "butcher"). But what occupation? What does the "Naf" mean? Bonus points for information on region of origin.
posted by reverend cuttle on Oct 1, 2009 - 3 answers

I am getting married in a month. I'm not keeping my maiden name or taking my husband's name, but choosing something entirely new (although somewhat rooted in tradition). I am absolutely dreading having to explain this to 150 guests at my wedding in 150 conversations with each one. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 13, 2009 - 40 answers

with all this internet connectedness, I've met a few different people online (either through facebook, twitter or geni) who share my not-very-common last name, and we've tried to determine if we're related by relating some of the oldest relatives we know who share the surname, but usually we don't find any overlap. As a genealogical novice, what should my next steps be in trying to find out if we're actually distantly related or if some clerk at Ellis Island just liked to give a bunch of French/German immigrants the same last name? [more inside]
posted by jrishel on May 1, 2009 - 16 answers

I hate my married name. [more inside]
posted by Juicylicious on Apr 27, 2009 - 85 answers

If I connected with a complete stranger who has my exact name (first and last), what sort of friendly mischief or hijinks could we get into on a night out?
posted by jeremias on Apr 7, 2009 - 9 answers

Which is the surname? [more inside]
posted by hannahlambda on Mar 29, 2009 - 5 answers

I'm changing my last name. Should I do it now or wait until I get a new place of residence? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 14, 2009 - 6 answers

I don't know any Czech speakers but I'm pretty sure I'm making a hash of saying this guy's surname out loud. [more inside]
posted by Jody Tresidder on Oct 30, 2008 - 10 answers

I'm about to toss my current last name and take a different one, for non-marriage-related reasons. For what/how long do I need to tell people my "maiden" name so that they realize that I existed before recently? [more inside]
posted by thisjax on Sep 4, 2008 - 14 answers

Hitler, Himmler, Goebbels, Ribbentrop, Göring -- what are these surname origins? [more inside]
posted by zek on Nov 12, 2007 - 9 answers

My partner and I are in the process of changing our surnames. When this is done, we'd like to send out some announcement cards to friends/family etc to let everyone know. Where can I find cards to that effect? [more inside]
posted by arcticwoman on Nov 5, 2007 - 18 answers

What surnames would work well with a first name of "Dresden"? [more inside]
posted by Glitter Ninja on Oct 17, 2007 - 68 answers

Are there any sites/search engines that will allow me to find the origin of a surname? Specifically European names. I'm looking for country and/or language of origin, and any other information a particular surname can reveal. [more inside]
posted by zardoz on Jun 20, 2007 - 7 answers

What's the story behind Indian (as in the country) last names that consist of a single letter? [more inside]
posted by mmascolino on Aug 18, 2006 - 13 answers

IdentityCrisisFilter: What is my last name? [more inside]
posted by qvantamon on Jul 28, 2006 - 20 answers

Smith, Potter, Miller, Carter, Bishop, Thatcher, Fisher, Archer, Cook. Can anyone point me to a list of other surnames that come from occupations or come up with some other examples for me?
posted by pwb503 on Apr 21, 2006 - 49 answers

The Smiths are descended from a blacksmith. The Potters are descended from a potter. But priests can't get married or have legitimate children, so where on earth does the last name Bishop come from? [more inside]
posted by nebulawindphone on Nov 22, 2005 - 17 answers