As families gather to decorate the Christmas tree, conversations often turn to traditions, relatives, and the history passed down through generations. This festive season, a unique quiz invites you to explore what your surname might reveal about your family's past.
The Festive Surnames Quiz: How to Play
This bit of festive fun is rooted in real naming traditions. To play, look through each group of surnames listed below. Give yourself one point for every surname that appears anywhere in your family tree, including grandparents, great-grandparents, or old family stories. Then, add up your score and check the results. If you are unsure how far back your family names go, this curiosity often leads people to explore ancestry tools like MyHeritage DNA.
Categories of Surnames and Their Histories
Festive Food and Feast Names: Add one point for each that appears: Baker, Cook, Butcher, Brewer, Miller, Carter. These surnames often trace back to families whose livelihoods revolved around feeding others. In medieval Britain and Europe, winter feasts were vital, and those who produced bread, meat, and ale were central to community life.
Winter Craft and Trade Names: Add one point for each match: Smith, Cooper, Turner, Weaver, Tanner. The colder months were when craftspeople came into their own, repairing tools, making barrels, weaving cloth, and preparing leather while the land rested. These vital jobs became surnames passed down for generations.
Celebration and Gathering Names: Add one point for every familiar name: Host, Clark, Marshall, Stewart, Ward. These names often link to people responsible for organising, overseeing, or hosting others during church festivals, markets, and seasonal celebrations.
Travel and Message-Carrier Names: Add one point for each you recognise: Porter, Walker, Driver, Carter. Even in winter, people travelled, goods were moved, and news was carried, especially around religious festivals. Families connected to transport were essential links between communities.
Beyond Surnames: The Role of DNA Testing
Surnames are a great starting point, but they only tell part of the story. Names change, families move, and branches of a family tree can disappear. This is where MyHeritage DNA comes in. A simple at-home DNA test can help uncover ethnic origins, connect you with unknown relatives, and add depth to the stories passed down. For many, Christmas is when curiosity about family history truly kicks in.
Bonus Rounds and Your Festive Score
Give yourself an extra point if your family has: an old photo nobody can identify, a surname that changed spelling, a story that changes each Christmas, or a rumour of a famous ancestor. These are clues that records alone cannot explain.
There is also an extremely unscientific Christmas bonus round. If surnames like Wenceslas, Buddy, Bailey, or McClane appear, give yourself ten bonus points per name and add another ten if you get the movie references!
Now, total your score to find your result:
One to five points – Grinch level: Your family roots could do with more tinsel. The clues are likely hidden, so consider digging deeper into your history.
Six to ten points – Santa’s elf: You are well on your way. Your surname history suggests ancestors were involved in everyday community life, especially at busy times.
Eleven to twenty points – Sleigh captain: You take Christmas seriously. Your history is packed with names linked to work, travel, and tradition.
Twenty-one points or more – Good King Wenceslas: This is boss-level Christmassy family history. Your surnames point to deep roots in community and celebration.
Whether you scored like a Grinch or royalty, exploring your ancestry can reveal far more than a surname alone. Published on 25th December 2025, this festive quiz offers a unique way to connect with your past this Christmas.
