User: how did nicknames become surnames?

Note: There seems to be some confusion here -- names based on geography are NOT generally "nicknames". A nickname would generally be based on some trait or characteristic (or perhaps event) of an individual or family, generally something distinctive, [ perhaps quite unusual based on character or temperament -- Good, Sly, Justice, Lawless, Pratt (means 'clever') Moody, Nice, Dolittle (lazy person) based on appearance (skin, eyes, hair, clothing),e.g., some of the color names: Black, White, Brown based on some other physical feature: Fairfax (having beautiful long hair) Small, Petit (French for small), Long(fellow), Twigg from a season, may be one the person was born: Winter, Summer activity:known for or good at (NOT same as occupation): Archer, Benbow (=archer) King (from playing role of king in May Day celebration) http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20080325080910AAGIVIk ]
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Weegy: [www.gen-find.com/resources/surname_origins_history.html]

Note: [http://mydanishroots.com/surnames/deriving_from_nicknames.html]