摘要：

本论文主要围绕着英美姓氏展开，从多个角度论述英美姓氏的来源及文化内涵。每个人都有一个名字，以区分于他人，从而它是贯穿于一个人生活并且至关重要的组成部分。我通过两个主要的问题组织我的论文，其一是英语姓氏的起源，其二是英语姓氏的文化内涵。关于英美姓氏的起源，我主要从血缘关系、地名、职业、个人身体特征、动植物名字和圣经等几方面来分析。至于英美姓氏的文化内涵，本论文将着重介绍英美姓氏对宗教信仰、社会变迁、身份地位和自然崇拜等方面的反映。姓氏是历史发展的产物，所以它体现了一个国家变化和文化的过程。了解英语姓氏可以帮助我们了解英语文化。

关键词：英美姓氏；来源；文化内涵；社会

Abstract:

This thesis focuses on British and American surnames, and I will discuss origins and cultural connotation of the British and American surnames from multiple angles. Everyone has a surname in order to distinguish them from others, thus it is an important part of a person's entire life. I organized two major problems with my papers, one of which is the origin of British and American surnames, and the second is the cultural connotation of British and American surnames. On the origin of British and American surnames, I mainly analyze several aspects from blood relationship, place name, occupation, physical characteristics, name of animals and plants and the Bible and so on. As for the cultural connotation of British and American surnames, this paper will focus on the reflection on religion, social change, social status and other aspects of nature worship. Surname is a product of historical development; it reflects the changes in the course of a country. British and American surnames can help us understand the English culture.

Key words: British and American surnames; origin; cultural connotation; society

1. Introduction
The study of surname is a wonderful subject to research. In our country, we have lots of surnames which have become a significant part of our splendid culture.   British and American surnames also have a long history which makes them own great unique charm. Now there are plenty of British and American surnames in human’s cultural development. During the development of history, British and American surnames made great changes. Surname is a common feature of each family which shows as a tie of family members and the inheritance among family members. British and American surnames, as we know them today, family names passed down intact from father to son to grandson. The family name is a symbol for the relationship between our relatives and us.