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What trades inspired these surnames?

Asked by ETpro (34605points) August 11th, 2013

Back when Earth’s growing population was finally getting large enough that first names alone were no longer definitive enough to use in specifying one unique person, many families took on last names drawn from their trade. The Smith clan was headed by the village blacksmith, a virile type of occupation, which accounts for the large number of Smiths in today’s world. The Millers were people running wheat and grain mills. Farmer and Weaver are pretty obvious in occupational connection.

But what about the Skully, Scully or Sculli clan? Were they brain surgeons or undertakers? How about pro golfer, Curtis Strange? What did his progenitors do? Were they all trying to make a living playing golf back when earning money as a professional athlete was a truly strange concept?

What are some other surnames that raise the question, what on Earth did this family’s ancestors do for a living?

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