...to wonder why some colours are really common surnames (white/black/brown/green) and others not?

[Justbackfromnewwine]

Okay maybe I know a Pink but no reds/yellows/blues/oranges/purples.

Why is that I wonder?

Oranges were around during Roman times...

treaclesoda I know an England and s Scotland, but no Wales.

Sorry you are correct i stupidly thought citrons were oranges they are not.

Romans only had access to 2 citus fruits lemons and citrons but they were rare status symbols.

@MulticolourMophead

@AvoidingDM

No, not a dog, real humans in my family tree, about 100 years ago.

BikeRunSki that's interesting, I had wondered if those existed as surnames so obvious they do.

I've come across Holland as a surname too, but I can't think of any other country names as surnames. I don't think I've ever met someone called eg Sweden or France...

Not Wales but Walsh originates from Welsh (which in turn meant foreigner).

Funny you should say that, Treaclesoda - I was just going to comment that there was a Gill France in the year below me at school

Whitesmith is a tin smith sometimes a term for a tinker

Greensmith is a copper worker

and of course there's Dawn French.

A character in the book I am writing has a "working" surname of Beige.

Oh what about Brazil as a surname? Eg Angela Brazil.

I know a Mrs. Pink!

“Rose and Orange could well be linked to a trade eg selling oranges.”

Not Orange - it’s linked to a place name, rather than a trade.

Blue is my grandmother's maiden name. She told me once she was in a class with a Brown, a Black a Green and a Whitehill.

I’ll add that the place name and the colour/fruit have a separate etymology! The surname comes from the place, not the fruit, as does the House of Orange.

Thank you Chaz.

Wasn't ignoring you Avoiding- have been out!

And Jack London

Love threads like this.

I know a Mr and Mrs Orange

And a Miss Pink actually

It is all very fascinating isn't it?

I know a Brazil, also Pear & Bean!

Would be brilliant to reach your family tree with one of these names instead of Smith or Jones.

I used to teach in the area of Fenland, Cambs. There were numerous family names such as Fen, Fenn, Fenny, Fenner etc. in the area.

Anyone who's watched the movie Hot Fuzz should have noticed that almost all characters have names like Cooper, Smith, Miller etc. The 2 Andys are Andrew Wainwright and Andrew Cartwright.

treaclesoda I know an England and s Scotland, but no Wales.

Knew an Ireland years ago.