There are considered to be four main categories of surname origin:
- Locational, whereby the name may be linked to a place, eg. Baldock (Hertfordshire), Wood, Bank
- Occupational, whereby the name is related to an occupation, eg. Butcher, Baker, Cook
- Patronymic, whereby the name is taken from the father’s name, eg. Jameson (son of James), O’Grady (son of Grady), MacDonald (son of Donald)
- Characteristic, whereby the name often describes a physical feature, eg. Small, Brown
A fifth category, metonymic, refers to the use of metaphors or nicknames, but can generally be associated with one of the other categories, particularly occupational or characteristic surnames, eg. Fagg (possible nickname for fishmonger or baker).
My research has so far encountered the following surnames. Some may not have ancestor/descendant developments (more will be added if/when appropriate):
BALDOCK, BLACKBURN, BUSHELL, CAPELING, CASTLE, DANIELS, DATLEN, DAWKINS, DIXON, DRAY, EVENDEN, FAGG, FOSTER, FRIEND, FULLER, GAMBRIL, GARLINGE, GOLDSACK, GROOMBRIDGE, GUESS, HAGESTADT, HARVEY, HATTON, HAUGHTON, HAWKINS, HEWETT, HOLLANDS, HOUGHAM, INGLETON, KINGSLAND, KNIGHT, MARSHALL, MAYTUM, MOXON, NEWING, NORMAN, NOWILL, PALMER, PAY, ROYCE, SAWKINS, SMALL, SPAIN, TERRY, WANSTALL …