surnametoponym
Surnametoponym, more commonly called a toponymic surname, is a surname derived from a place name or geographic feature. It identifies a person as originating from, or residing near, a specific location. This makes it one of the major categories of surname etiology, alongside patronymic, occupational, and nickname-based names.
Origin and formation: Toponymic surnames arise when a community or individual is identified by the locale associated
Linguistic patterns and examples: In English, toponymic names often derive from place names or geographic terms,
Distribution and usage: Toponymic surnames are common across many cultures, reflecting medieval patterns of identification by
Variants and evolution: Some toponymic names lose or shift their original geographic meaning as families move