The surname is inherited by people of the same kind from generation to generation. Initially, only rich and noble people had them. After the abolition of serfdom, they began to be given to former serf peasants. Most often, they were compiled on behalf of the former owner. That is why there are namesakes who have absolutely no kinship.
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 inner qualities (for example, Bogomolov, Dobrov, etc.). However, it is not always possible to unravel the meaning of the surname correctly. There is a special science - onomastics, which tries to figure out the secret of proper names.
We get our full name from our father and cannot choose him. However, after adulthood, everyone is free to take on a pseudonym. Some take French, Spanish, American surnames. Girls, as a rule, are more concerned with this issue, especially if the father’s surname is dissonant.
American surnames of girls: what is their feature?
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 resettlement. Most of them retained their names when moving. But later they changed, adjusting to the English language. Some contracted, others changed some sounds. The Indians and Africans were given nicknames.
As a result, the American surnames of girls and men are no different. Initially, the differences were, for example, if the Bulgarian became an American. However, some of them simply have a specifically feminine sound.
The most popular American girl names and surnames
Today, the following American surnames are the most popular: Smith, Williams, Miller, Taylor, Brown, Davis. For example, surnames such as Moore, Thomas, Walker, Houston, Bellows, Stone and others are much less common.
As for the names, here the scope is also very wide. Most American female names are consonant with ours, but pronounced differently. For example, Helen, Katherine, Joan, Hannah and others. There are Betty, Carolyn, Judy, Goldie, Amelie, less familiar to the Russian ear. The names of American stars are popular , for example, Riana, Jennifer, Charlize, etc.
The meanings of some American surnames and girl names
American surnames of girls, as noted above, have a different origin. Let's try to determine the meaning of some of them.
Most of the names that came to America from England are completely consonant with the names. For example, Henry, Owen, Thomas. The names with the prefixes Mc (poppy) and O '(o) sound very beautiful. Both of them denote kinship by father, for example, McMilan - the son of Milan, or O'Brien - the son of Brian. The prefix "poppy" came from Scotland, and the "O" from Ireland.
Some surnames are formed from the names of the locality. For example: English, Irish, Wales, Welsh, etc. Using them it is easy to determine where a person comes from. Some indicate a profession or position (Parker, Forester, Foster, Sheriff, Burgess). Most often they formed from nicknames. It could be any government posts, agricultural professions, hobbies, craft, 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 surname of the person was lost. In addition, sometimes the name calls the exact opposite quality: for example, Strakhov - for a beautiful 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 who came from Spain, Germany, Greece, etc. However, most of them changed over time and acquired an English sound.