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Occupational Surnames Trivia Quiz

There are many surnames that derive from the names of old professions. Smith and Baker are obvious examples. I will give you the surname and you decide what occupation that surname indicates.

A multiple-choice quiz by ArtieChoke. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
ArtieChoke

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
89,255

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
3121

Last 3 plays: gogetem (7/10), Guest 73 (4/10), TERRYHURST22 (3/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Miller Hint

Windmill manufacturer

Entomologist

Sawmill worker

Grain grinder

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Question 2 of 10

2. Keller Hint

Storeroom or wine cellar attendant

Gatherer of spring water

Stonemason

Jockey

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Question 3 of 10

3. Fuller Hint

Sheep shearer

Mattress maker

Cleaner and thickener of cloth

Beer barrel filler

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Question 4 of 10

4. Pasternak Hint

Sod farmer

Novelist

Parsnip farmer

Shepherd

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Question 5 of 10

5. Cooper Hint

Fox hunter

Cowhand

Barrel and bucket maker

Chicken farmer

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Question 6 of 10

6. Fletcher Hint

General tradesman

Trapper

Animal skinner

Arrow maker

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Question 7 of 10

7. Forman (before it just meant the guy in charge) Hint

Outhouse cleaner

General laborer

Barn builder

Swineherd

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Question 8 of 10

8. Costner Hint

Altar boy

Sexton

Huntsman

Member of a bishop's entourage

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Question 9 of 10

9. Fleischer Hint

Butcher

Taste tester

Bounty hunter

Cow herder

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Question 10 of 10

10. Spurrier Hint

Tavern attendant

Bridle maker

Spur maker

Leather worker

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Most Recent Scores

Jun 01 2025 : gogetem: 7/10
May 31 2025 : Guest 73: 4/10
May 26 2025 : TERRYHURST22: 3/10
May 20 2025 : Guest 136: 6/10
Apr 22 2025 : Guest 100: 5/10
Apr 15 2025 : Guest 213: 0/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Miller

Answer: Grain grinder

Back in the old days, all grain had to be ground by hand. A miller was somebody who did this for a living.

2. Keller

Answer: Storeroom or wine cellar attendant

"Keller" is the German word for cellar.

3. Fuller

Answer: Cleaner and thickener of cloth

Fuller is a British surname.

4. Pasternak

Answer: Parsnip farmer

Boris Pasternak is a famous novelist. Maybe his great great great grandfather was a famous parsnip farmer.

5. Cooper

Answer: Barrel and bucket maker

Back in the old days, somebody had to hand-craft vessels for holding and transporting liquid and grain. A cooper made a living crafting these things.

6. Fletcher

Answer: Arrow maker

I have read both that a fletcher is a person who puts the feathers in the arrows and that a fletcher is a person who makes the entire arrows. I don't know which is more accurate. On a side note, the person who made the bows was a bowyer.

7. Forman (before it just meant the guy in charge)

Answer: Swineherd

A forman herded pigs.

8. Costner

Answer: Sexton

Costner is a Dutch name.

9. Fleischer

Answer: Butcher

"Fleischer" is a German word for a butcher.

10. Spurrier

Answer: Spur maker

This one was as easy as it looked. A spurrier made a living making spurs.

Source: Author ArtieChoke

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ozzz2002 before going online.
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