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I am a common Englishman with an occupational surname (like Smith, Farmer, Fisher, etc.). At what time does my name stop being a mark of my profession, and start being just a surname? When could I go up to someone and introduce myself as "John Smith", and not have people assume that I am a smith?

by /u/Mr_Quinn in /r/AskHistorians

Upvotes: 133

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