How do you find out what your last name means without paying to know? :) I have

Position:Home>Genealogy> How do you find out what your last name means without paying to know? :) I have

Question:

I've always wanted to know what my last name meant, as well as the origin!.

It's Fessenden

My dad has lied to me all my life, and he said it was English, but i don't know!. I'd love to figure out the meaning if someone could help me!? lol :DWww@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Names are tricky!. For a common name, there may be a meaning that can be looked up!. In other cases, a name happens when the original name gets ALTERED!. Example!.!. the original name is Fillingham (one of mine), which is a village in England!.!. but "our" branch wound up with the spelling of Fullingim!. So, Fullingim only means that no one could pronounce or spell the original!.
It is completely more accurate to find the origin of your ANCESTORS, and yes, that can be different from a name origin!. There will be records to trace your grandparents!.!. to gr grandparents!.!. until you find the one record showing their place of birth!. I really am not big on surnames, since in reality, they are not the "core" of who you are!.
I would do some research, before deciding that Dad is not telling the truth!. It is not an overnite project, but far more worthwhile than you think!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

your correct on the history of names!. im not going to state my last name ( wich you shouldnt have done) BUT it very well means my ancestors were probably very rich, and liked to spend!. im not sure what yours means, but i have two friends with the last name of page!. maybe their ancestors were script or scroll writters!? XDWww@QuestionHome@Com

Ancestry says
"Fessenden Name Meaning and History
English (Kent): unexplained; probably from a lost or unidentified place in Kent, named with an unexplained first element + Old English denu ‘valley’!. The variant Fishenden is also found!. "Www@QuestionHome@Com

It is English!.!.!.Wiki says so!.
http://en!.wikipedia!.org/wiki/FessendenWww@QuestionHome@Com

There is a book called the Oxford Book of Names, You should be able to get a copy from your local library it deals with Given, Surnames and Place names!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

it is a crazy thought---- go to a LIBRARY!.!. you know a place that has these things called books made of paper!.!. try it, you might like it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com