History:
The word 'Surname' is derived from the Latin word 'surnomus' which means 'additional name'.
Surnames were first used in the Middle Ages to distinguish between people with the same given name. It was also used to indicate a person's occupation, geographical origin, or social status.
Description:
In some cultures, surnames are passed down from father to son. In others, surnames are chosen by the individual or family.
In some cultures, it is a custom to use the father's surname as the family name. In others, the mother's surname is used.
Surnames can vary greatly in spelling and pronunciation, depending on the language and culture of the person who bears it. For example, in some cultures, the same surname can be spelled differently, such as “Smith” and “Smythe”.
