If Your Last Name Means This, Your Ancestors May Have Practiced This Trade in the Middle Ages

Have you ever wondered what your last name really means? For many families, surnames are more than a family identity — they serve as a direct link to the trades, crafts, and professions of ancestors who lived centuries ago. Long before surnames were inherited from one generation to the next, people were often identified by what they did for a living.

In the Middle Ages, society revolved around guilds, rural labor, and craftsmanship. A man named Peter who baked bread for the village became “Peter the Baker.” John who worked with wood was “John the Carpenter.” Over time, these occupational nicknames stuck, and were passed down as permanent family names that many people still carry today.

Here is a list of 15 family names that originated from occupations:

Smith

Smith is the most common occupational surname, deriving from the Old English word smitan, meaning “to smite or hit.” This name was given to a blacksmith, a crucial medieval tradesperson who worked with metal to forge tools, weapons, and horseshoes. The sheer necessity and prevalence of the blacksmith trade throughout England ensured the name’s widespread adoption, which is why Smith became one of the most prevalent surnames in the English-speaking world and has equivalents like Schmidt in German and Lefèvre in French.

Carpenter

Carpenter is an occupational surname derived from the Old French word carpentier, which traces back to the Latin carpentarius, meaning “wagon maker” or “builder.” This name became established in England after the Norman Conquest and identified an essential medieval tradesperson responsible for crafting wooden structures, ships, furniture, and tools. Reflecting the widespread need for construction skills, the name became hereditary and is synonymous with craftsmanship and building. Its equivalent in German is Zimmermann.

Jean Harlow, born Harlean Carpenter, was an American actress and sex symbol of the early 1930s, famously known as the “Platinum Blonde.” Her sultry, wisecracking screen persona made her one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, leading major roles in classics like Dinner at Eight and Red Dust. She became an enduring icon of pre-Code Hollywood glamour, but her career was tragically cut short when she died suddenly from kidney failure in 1937 at the young age of 26.

Miller

Miller is an occupational surname derived from the Old English word mille or the Middle English milner, which literally means “one who operates a mill.” This was a crucial role in medieval life, as the miller was responsible for grinding grain into flour. The widespread need for this service throughout England and Europe led to its immense popularity as a surname. It reflects the importance of the agricultural supply chain and is common across Europe, with variations such as Müller in German and Meunier in French.

Taylor

Taylor is an occupational surname derived from the Old French word tailleur, meaning “to cut,” referring to a tailor or garment maker. This name became common in England after the Norman Conquest and identified a vital medieval tradesperson responsible for making and fitting clothing. As a necessary and skilled profession, the name became hereditary and is associated with craftsmanship and the clothing trade in urban centers. It is one of the most common occupational surnames in the English-speaking world.

Born in London in 1932 to American parents, the future Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor arrived for a visit in New York City with her parents and older brother, aboard the S.S. Bremen in 1936.

Baker

Baker is a straightforward occupational surname derived from the Old English word bæcere, meaning “one who bakes.” This name identified a vital tradesperson in medieval society, responsible for baking bread and other goods, often operating a communal oven used by the village. Its prominence as a surname reflects the essential role of the baker in every community. The name is common across Britain and the English-speaking world.

A key figure bearing the surname Baker is the iconic American-born French entertainer, Josephine Baker (1906–1975). This Brazilian consular record from 1952 was issued for her temporary visit to the country.

Clerk

Clerk, or Clark, is an occupational surname rooted in the Old English term clerc, derived from the Latin clericus, meaning “cleric or scholar.” In the Middle Ages, this name identified a person who could read and write, often holding a clerical position in the Church or serving as a scribe, secretary, or notary in a great house or government. The name’s prevalence signifies the crucial importance of literacy and administrative skills in society.

Cook

Cook is a straightforward occupational surname derived from the Old English word cōc, simply meaning “cook” or “one who prepares food.” This name identified a vital medieval tradesperson, whether they were a household servant, a professional chef in a noble household, or a seller of prepared foods. The essential nature of food preparation ensured this name’s wide adoption.

Wright

Wright is a classic English occupational surname derived from the Old English word wyrhta, meaning “worker” or “craftsman.” It was a general term used to denote a skilled artisan or builder. This name is often combined with the material or object the person worked with (e.g., Wheelwright, Shipwright, or Cartwright). Its prevalence in medieval England shows the high regard for specialized labor and craftsmanship in the building trades.

Frank Lloyd Wright (1867–1959) was a pioneering American architect and designer who fundamentally shaped 20th-century architecture. Born in Wisconsin, career flourished in Oak Park, Illinois, where he established his home and studio.

Shepherd

Shepherd is a descriptive occupational surname derived from the Old English word sceaphierde, meaning “sheep herder.” In medieval agrarian society, this was a vital role, as the Shepherd managed and tended to the flocks that provided wool, meat, and milk. The name is common in regions with a history of sheep farming and reflects qualities like diligence and pastoral care.

Variants include Sheppard and Shephard, like the English television presenter and journalist Ben Shephard. Here is his great-grandfather Levi Shephard, in the census of 1911. He was a pork butcher in Birmingham.

Mason

Mason is an occupational surname derived from the Old French word maçon, meaning “stoneworker” or “builder.” It was introduced to England after the Norman Conquest and specifically identified a highly skilled tradesperson responsible for working with stone to construct essential medieval structures like castles, churches, and cathedrals. The name highlights a lineage of craftsmanship and remains a common surname, with European equivalents such as Masson in French.

Weaver

Weaver is a straightforward occupational surname derived from the Old English word wefan, meaning “to weave.” This name identified a person who produced cloth, a weaver, which was a highly valued and essential trade in medieval society’s textile industry. The prevalence of the name reflects the importance of cloth production in the medieval economy. Its German equivalent is Webber.

Fletcher

Fletcher is a specialized occupational surname derived from the Old French word flechier, meaning “arrow maker.” In medieval times, this was a crucial military and hunting trade, as the Fletcher crafted the arrows (fletches) used by archers. The name is rooted in the high demand for reliable weaponry and denotes a lineage of precise craftsmanship.

Shoemaker

Shoemaker is a direct occupational surname meaning “one who makes or repairs shoes.” It derives from the Middle Dutch schoenmaker and Old English scōhmaker. This name emerged in the medieval period to identify the essential tradesperson responsible for providing footwear, a crucial item for daily life. The surname is a clear descriptor of a lineage associated with craftsmanship and skilled trade. Its prominent European equivalent is Schumacher in German.

Fisher

Fisher is an occupational surname derived from the Old English word fisc, meaning “fish.” It was given to a person who earned their livelihood by fishing, a vital trade in medieval coastal and riverine communities. The name directly identifies a lineage connected to the fishing industry and the sea or rivers. Its European equivalents include Fischer in German and Pescatore in Italian.

Tanner

Tanner is an occupational surname derived from the Old French word tanier, which means “to tan.” This name identified a crucial tradesperson responsible for treating animal hides to produce leather, a necessary material for clothing, armor, and goods in medieval society. Introduced after the Norman Conquest, the name highlights a lineage of skilled leatherworking.

Discover the meaning behind your surname

Did any of your ancestors bear these or other occupational surnames? Start your family tree on MyHeritage today to explore the origins and stories of the surnames in your family.

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Source: My Heritage