Family & Surnames
5 guides
Family & Surnames
Changing Your Name After Marriage: Every Option Compared
A practical, evenhanded comparison of every option for changing your name after marriage: paperwork order, state quirks, and what each choice means long-term.
August 2, 2026
Family & Surnames
Hyphenated Last Names: The Complete, Practical Guide
How hyphenated last names actually work: whose name goes first, what happens on forms and passports, and what kids inherit. A practical guide.
August 1, 2026
Family & Surnames
What Your Last Name Says About Your Family History
Your last name origin reveals a job, a father, a hometown, or a nickname. Learn to read the suffixes, spellings, and regional clues in your surname.
July 31, 2026
Family & Surnames
Where Surnames Come From: Trades, Places, and Fathers
Why Smith, Johnson, and Hill became last names: the true history of occupational, patronymic, locative, and descriptive surnames.
July 30, 2026
Family & Surnames
The Most Common Last Names in America (and Why)
Smith, Johnson, Garcia: the 2010 Census ranked America's top surnames. The occupational, patronymic, and immigration story behind each one.
July 29, 2026