Names

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Where did the surname Jones, Martin, Smith and Williams come from?

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[Octavius]

Jones - A patronymic name meaning "son of John (God has favored or gift of God)." The most common surname in Wales. JOHNSON is a common English version of this surname.

Martin - Patronymic surname taken from the ancient Latin given name Martinus, derived from Mars, the Roman god of fertility and war.

Smith - Derived from the Anglo-Saxon "smitan," to smite or strike, SMITH and its derivations are an occupational name for a man who works with metal (smith or blacksmith), one of the earliest jobs for which specialist skills were required. It is a craft that was practiced in all countries, making the surname and its derivations the most common of all surnames.

Williams - 1) Son or descendant of Guillemin, a pet form of Guillaume, the French form of William. 2) From the Belgic "guild-helm," harnessed with a gilded helmet or "welhelm," the shield or defense of many. 3) Derived from the given name "William," an Old French given name with Germanic elements: wil = desire, will; and helm = helmet, protection.

[Octavius]

A somewhat simple explanation of more surnames can be found here: http://genealogy.about.com/library/surnames/bl_meaning.htm

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Wales