the past come to life

When someone’s surname is a profession or job, usually from the distant past, I admit that I find it very interesting that it’s so overlooked or people are oblivious to the significance. Tons of people are walking around today with a last name that depicts the job one of their ancestors did. Sometimes people got their last name because when asked, they didn’t really have one so they’d say “well I’m John the Thatcher.” It stuck, as did Baker, Cooper, Smith, Potter, Taylor, Fuller, Turner, Mason, Smith, Fisher, Glover, Dyer, Carter, Cook, Archer, Parker, Page….the list goes on and on. Sometimes I see my day-to-day from that viewpoint, that everyone walking around is an extension of their ancestor. I think there is a cohesiveness to it all that warrants greater appreciation.

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Anonymous

Oct 26, 2021 at 11:49pm

OP must have a last name like Knight or Prince. Views a little different when you're a Hooker I'm sure.

9 3Rating: +6

Anonymous

Oct 27, 2021 at 3:36am

I got high last night too OP.

5 5Rating: 0

a different type work - @annonymous

Oct 27, 2021 at 7:40am

The word hooker as you use it is a modern word. As an old surname it comes from 'hocere' (the Old English) - the occupation for someone who fashioned hooks. Way back it was a skilled occupation because hooks were not necessarily made from iron, but instead from animal bone using heat and steam. Besides, hooker doesn't have to automatically mean something negative. There are proud sex workers out there!

8 1Rating: +7

True, and.

Oct 27, 2021 at 1:21pm

There was a lot of morphing over time, and having one of those names does not necessarily indicate the profession your ancestors chose. Some one person who was a cook, ended up as a Cook and had offspring. But the name Cook/e can stem from a lot of other names, including the Scottish Mac Cúg which is son of Hugh. Definitely interesting.

4 1Rating: +3

Anonymous

Oct 27, 2021 at 5:54pm

You don't want to know mine

1 1Rating: 0

I agree OP

Oct 27, 2021 at 7:54pm

I researched a bunch of surnames, and one in particular lead me to unlocking major historical events that not even 1% of the world's population knows about. It's given me a whole new perspective of the world we live in today. Historical events that would blow away everyone's mind on the planet, but events not many would want to believe or accept, especially the Catholic Church. Not that I could prove any of it without a time machine, since the evidence is all circumstantial, but it certainly paints a whole new picture of the nature of the wold we live in today and the world that is to come. If it's true though I suspect the world is going to find on it's own because these events that took place near a thousand and more years ago set in motion things that will have a direct impact on humanity as a species very soon I imagine. Well what will be left of humanity anyway.

4 2Rating: +2

Five Alive Minute Maid Coca Cola Corp.

Oct 28, 2021 at 1:07am

Absolutely. I wish my name meant something. All it means is unprofessional cad which is strangely on the nose. Cocaine's a helluva drug.

1 3Rating: -2

The use...

Oct 28, 2021 at 2:14am

... of surnames originated with poll taxes and enfranchisement. People would use their occupational titles, but there was no obligation to have only one surname---no word of a lie, years back, I had a telephone conversation with the CEO of the Vital Statistics Agency of BC,and he confirmed for me that anyone can use any surname they like, the issue is, in his words if people will "give it credit."

Someone has one name of baptism, and often took another name as a confirmation name, but the surname or "last name" is, at least in the official form, a grant of property from the Government to which attach rights and obligations.

2 1Rating: +1

Indeed

Oct 28, 2021 at 4:16am

Some scholars believe Cook may also derive from the Gaelic Coc, Leek Shaft or Onion Dick.

3 1Rating: +2

Fabrikant

Oct 28, 2021 at 1:33pm

I was working in a factory where we made display furniture for retail. One of the products was a cart. While making these carts one day I noted to a colleague that having the last name Cartwright he was perfect for the job. Mr. Cartwright was not amused, in fact he told me to "watch it".

1 1Rating: 0

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