Unit 2 Where Did Surnames Come From? Extension Activities
Activity One: Guess the Origins! Activity Two: Chinese Surnames
Guess the Origins!
Instructions: Prepare a bell and divide the class into groups (4-5 members as a group). Group members in each group should take turns answering the questions. Before each question is asked, each group sends a member (in order) to come front. When the question is asked, group members who stand in front of the class and know the answer need to react quickly to hit the bell. The quickest one gets the chance to answer the question. If the answer of the quickest one is correct, his/her team gets one point; if the answer is wrong, other people can answer it until there’s the correct answer.
From the reading, we know that surnames are generally derived from one of four sources.
The four sources are: 1) Patronymic (from the first name of the father) 2) Locations or places of living 3) Occupations or social status 4) Nicknames (describing a person or personality )
Now, please try to guess the origins of the following surnames.
Smith 1. Patronymic 2. Locations or places of living 3. Occupations or social status 4. Nicknames
Field 1. Patronymic 2. Locations or places of living 3. Occupations or social status 4. Nicknames
Truman 1. Patronymic 2. Locations or places of living 3. Occupations or social status 4. Nicknames
Jackson 1. Patronymic 2. Locations or places of living 3. Occupations or social status 4. Nicknames
Knight 1. Patronymic 2. Locations or places of living 3. Occupations or social status 4. Nicknames
Armstrong 1. Patronymic 2. Locations or places of living 3. Occupations or social status 4. Nicknames
Ashley 1. Patronymic 2. Locations or places of living 3. Occupations or social status 4. Nicknames
Peters 1. Patronymic 2. Locations or places of living 3. Occupations or social status 4. Nicknames
Cooper 1. Patronymic 2. Locations or places of living 3. Occupations or social status 4. Nicknames
Small 1. Patronymic 2. Locations or places of living 3. Occupations or social status 4. Nicknames
Robinson 1. Patronymic 2. Locations or places of living 3. Occupations or social status 4. Nicknames
Cliff 1. Patronymic 2. Locations or places of living 3. Occupations or social status 4. Nicknames
End of Activity One
Correct answer!
Wrong answer!
Chinese Surnames
We’ve learned the origins of some English surnames. But do you know the origin of your Chinese surname?
Please check out your Chinese surname in the website as your take-home assignment. website
You will need to share the origin of your Chinese surname with your classmates in English.
End of Activity Two