SEYMOUR (English) 1. Norman habitation name from 'Saint-Maur-des-Fossees' in Seine, N. France. 2. habitation name from either of two places in N. Yorkshire called 'Seamer', from Old English meaning 'sea, lake' + 'lake, pond'. There are also places called 'Semer' in Norfold, Suffolk, and N. Yorkshire, which have the same origin. BRETT (English, French) Ethnic name for a Breton. The surname is most common in E. Anglia. In Scotland it may also denote a member of one of the Celt.-speaking peoples of Strathclyde, who were known as 'Bryttas' or 'Brettas'. TRAUB (German, Jewish) 1. German: Occupational name for a wine-grower. In some cases it may originally have been a name for someone who lived at a house marked with the sign of a bunch of grapes. 2. Jewish (Ashkenazic): Ornamental name, or occasionally an occupational name, for a wine-grower, from German 'Traube'. Source: A Dictionary of Surnames by Patrick Hanks and Flavia Hodges. CLISSOLD ? HOPGOOD (English) Descendant of 'Hapgood'. Source: New Dictionary of American Family Names by E.C. Smith Barbara Peter Lane wrote: > Hello. Could someone help me with the origins of these names in my family > please. > > Seymour > Brett > Traub > Clissold > Hopgood > > Thanking you in anticipation > Judy on the Murray Australia > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry's Library - The best collection of family history > learning and how-to articles on the Internet. > http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library