British Surnames - 1 Trivia Quiz

Some questions which focus on some common British surnames and their likely origins. How many can you identify?

A multiple-choice quiz by bracklaman. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
bracklaman

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
154,215

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
4 / 10

Plays
1190

This quiz has 2 formats: you can play it as a or as shown below.
Scroll down to the bottom for the answer key.

1. Described in some reference sources as "one of the strong Welsh names". As a surname it means "eminent" and became popular during the early Middle Ages in honour of a great tenth century law giving Welsh king. Hint

Honister

Howard

Howells

Henry

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2. Probably derived from the name for an early inhabitant of Worcester this surname later featured prominently in English Literature novels throughout the 1930s and 1940s. Hint

Wister

Wooster

Woosnam

Waster

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3. A surname that has origins in the early medieval crafts. It would have been the occupational name for someone who laid wooden tiles on a roof. Hint

Shingler

Eavesham

Tyler

Chipman

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4. This surname also became a first or forename but originated from an early nickname for someone with fair hair or more properly "a lock of fair hair". Hint

Fairlock

Moorlock

Sherlock

Dreadlock

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5. Unfortunately, in very recent times, this surname has become notorious in the UK. It originated, however, as an occupational name for a shepherd. Hint

Shipley

Shipman

Shillitoe

Shippam

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6. Rather curiously this surname originated as a nickname for a mild mannered and affectionate person. Hint

Turtle

Pigeon

Dove

Hen

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7. This surname was closely linked with a well respected former Soccer Manager in the UK. This manager although employed in England at the timem was from another European country. His surname however was originally an English surname derived from an occupational name for a brothel keeper. Hint

Hollier

Wengerman

Souness

Eriksson

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8. Another occupational name. This surname described a person whose function was to drive a cart to take away and dump animal waste products. Hint

Wastrel

Crapper

Carter

Timbrell

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9. This surname originated as a nickname for a person of small stature but referring to a bird rather than to an animal. Hint

Titley

Titwillo

Titmus

Titmarsh

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10. This surname derives from the early nickname for a man of effeminate appearance. Hint

Matron

Gaylord

Winsome

Maiden

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Howells

Hywel Dda (Howell the Good) prince of the equivalent of modern south west Wales then known as Deheubarth. He made first consistent attempts to codify law in Wales.

2. Probably derived from the name for an early inhabitant of Worcester this surname later featured prominently in English Literature novels throughout the 1930s and 1940s.

Answer: Wooster

The reference is to Bertie Wooster the elegant buffoon created by
P. G. Wodehouse as the foil to the inimitable Jeeves.

3. A surname that has origins in the early medieval crafts. It would have been the occupational name for someone who laid wooden tiles on a roof.

Answer: Shingler

Derived from the Middle English "Shingle" and is linked to the German "Schindler" as in the Spielberg film "Schindler's List"

4. This surname also became a first or forename but originated from an early nickname for someone with fair hair or more properly "a lock of fair hair".

Answer: Sherlock

Thought to have been derived from Old English "Scir" and "loc" which mean fair and hair. It has also been linked to Middle English "scirloc" meaning bright. It looks as though Sir Arthur Conan Doyle may have endowed his famous detective with physical and mental attributes when he named him.

5. Unfortunately, in very recent times, this surname has become notorious in the UK. It originated, however, as an occupational name for a shepherd.

Answer: Shipman

The horrific murder toll of serial convicted murderer Dr Harold Shipman has cast a great pall over this long standing honest British surname.

6. Rather curiously this surname originated as a nickname for a mild mannered and affectionate person.

Answer: Turtle

Derived from turtledove. Later, in other parts of the UK as a slang reference to be described as a "turtle" suggested you were a deformed and crippled person.

Answer: Hollier

Hollier and the French form Houllier used to be the feminine form of Baxter. Gerard Houllier was a manager at Liverpool FC in the England Premier League from 1998 to 2004.

8. Another occupational name. This surname described a person whose function was to drive a cart to take away and dump animal waste products.

Answer: Timbrell

Later became the name of one who designed and manufactured tip up carts.

9. This surname originated as a nickname for a person of small stature but referring to a bird rather than to an animal.

Answer: Titmus

From the Middle English for small size i.e Tit and a type of bird i.e. mus.

10. This surname derives from the early nickname for a man of effeminate appearance.

Answer: Maiden

The name is Old English in origin.

Source: Author bracklaman

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor spanishliz before going online.
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