Ever looked up the origin of your surname?

Came over with his lot, apparently.

 

I sometimes pee behind the garage, so you could be right

 

I'd never bothered looking up mine as it's Bravery, pretty bleeding obvious I thought. But after reading this thread I had a quick Google and got a surprise, and it's below. It predates today's meaning of being brave. Blimey, so we're not heroes, just troublemakers!
Anyone got a problem with it they can step outside, grrrrrr.

This unusual name which would seem to be wholly British is in fact in origin Spanish-Portuguese. It derives from the late Medieval period when Portugal became Britains oldest ally, the literal meaning being "one who is fierce" - clearly a descriptive nickname. The development is from "Bravo", the "modern" spelling being a form of patronymic or diminutive implying "Son of Bravo", or "Little Bravo" (Brave or Bravi). The meaning of "Bravo" as brave or courageous did not emerge until the 16th and 17th Centuries, too late to be reflected in the surname.
The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert Bravery, which was dated August 4th 1641, a witness at St. Dunstan's Church, Stepney, London, during the reign of King Charles 1. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax.

 

Nah, I've eaten them all!

 

I got it at least.

 

Oh heck, move over LEF and Tuesday , you are mere pretenders to the throne
GURR. Probably from Guenres, a village in Normandy, near Dieipe. One Peter Gyrre. apothecary, from Dieppe, a Protestant refugee, arrived at Rye, co. Sussex, 1572. Lansd. M.S. 15-70
We did move from Sussex to Kent about four generations ago.

 

and I thought you were a plumber!