Surname profile
Silva
The surname Silva is of Portuguese or Galician origin, derived from the Latin word "silva," meaning forest or bramble. It can be a topographic or locational name, depending…
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How family names were formed
Topographic surnames
Names inspired by the landscape. Explore surnames connected to natural features such as hills, woods, and streams, with histories and sources for further research.
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17surname profiles to explore
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The surname directory
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Showing 13–17 of 17 profiles
- Surname profile
Underwood
Underwood is an English topographic surname meaning ‘under or below a wood’, first recorded in the late 12th century. It derives from Old English ‘unter’ + ‘wuda’. Early…
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Van Dijk
Van Dijk is a Dutch toponymic surname meaning 'from the dike'. It is formed from the Dutch word dijk, a man‑made embankment protecting lowland from water. The spelling has…
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Wells
The surname Wells is an English habitational or topographic name derived from Old English wælla meaning 'spring'. It may also arise from an occupational role, the keeper of…
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Wood
The Wood surname originates from the Middle English word for wood, making it a topographic name. A less common derivation is from an Old English word meaning ‘frenzied’,…
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This directory includes published profiles. Review status is shown on each card. A surname may belong to more than one origin or formation type.