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Family names exists since 10th. century AD approximately, when it was necessary to make difference between John (the "tailor") and John (the one who lived by the river), then: John Tailor and John River. And so on...
This process was simultaneous in all the countries, in every language:
John Taylor was Giovanni Sartorio (Italy), Juan Sastre (Spain), Jean Tailleur (France), Johann Schneider (Germany), etc.

it differs in each country, this article will probably answer your questions:

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_name

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