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What's in a name? Trivia Quiz

People's names often hint at the kind of work their ancestors used to carry out. From their family names, can you work out what these ancestors used to do?

A multiple-choice quiz by suomy. Estimated time: 2 mins.

Author
suomy

Time
2 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
356,092

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Easy

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
1187

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. If you had to guess, what do you suppose Bonnie Tyler might have done in olden times?
Hint

Make tiles

Make suits

Make ties

Sing songs

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Question 2 of 10

2. What do you think Richard Wagner's ancestors got their name for doing?
Hint

Waging war

Composing music

Driving wagons

Paying wages

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which of the following is likely to have been the source of Christopher Plummer's family name? Hint

Poetry composing

Deep sea diving

The metal lead

Painting pottery

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Question 4 of 10

4. What would Richard Sadler have made to keep things moving in ancient times? Hint

Wheels

Bridges

Ships

Saddles

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Question 5 of 10

5. If there was someone called Simon the Tanner in your village, what would he do? Hint

Punish criminals

Make bread

Sunbathe

Tan leather

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Question 6 of 10

6. What material would you expect Tom Sawyer to work with? Hint

Metal

Wood

Cotton

Paper

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Question 7 of 10

7. Where in ancient times would you find John Smith working? Hint

Tax office

Bookshop

Bakery

Forge

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Question 8 of 10

8. What might James Mason's name suggest that he does? Hint

Cut hair

Work with stone

Unload ships

Act in plays

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Question 9 of 10

9. Where might Bob Woodward have worked? Hint

Forest

Office

Building site

Sawmill

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Question 10 of 10

10. What might Chris Boardman's ancestors have done for a living? Hint

Ran a boarding house

Drilled holes in stone

They were unemployed

Cut timber into boards

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. If you had to guess, what do you suppose Bonnie Tyler might have done in olden times?

Answer: Make tiles

"Tyler" is an old English word for someone who makes or lays tiles such as those used on house roofs. It also used to mean the door keeper of an inn.

2. What do you think Richard Wagner's ancestors got their name for doing?

Answer: Driving wagons

It used to be common for all sorts of goods to be transported by wagon or cart. The name "wagner" comes from the German name for the job. It also applied to people who made wagons.

3. Which of the following is likely to have been the source of Christopher Plummer's family name?

Answer: The metal lead

The name in fact has three possible sources: to refer to someone who lives near a plum tree, a dealer in feathers and someone who worked with lead. Plumber is another old name for a lead worker.

4. What would Richard Sadler have made to keep things moving in ancient times?

Answer: Saddles

A saddler makes leather saddles for use on horses and other animals. He or she might also make other riding equipment such as bridles.

5. If there was someone called Simon the Tanner in your village, what would he do?

Answer: Tan leather

Tanning is a process used to make leather from animal skins. It makes the skin more durable and less likely to rot.

6. What material would you expect Tom Sawyer to work with?

Answer: Wood

Tom's family name means one who saws wood. The name can be traced back to English and Celtic roots.

7. Where in ancient times would you find John Smith working?

Answer: Forge

A "smith" is a metal worker such as a blacksmith. The forge (or smithy) is the blacksmith's place of work. A forge is also the name for the hearth used by the blacksmith to soften the metal before he starts working on it.

8. What might James Mason's name suggest that he does?

Answer: Work with stone

A mason is someone who works with stone. Masons might work, for example, on stone buildings such as cathedrals or on cemetery headstones. Tools used include hammers and chisels.

9. Where might Bob Woodward have worked?

Answer: Forest

"Ward" means guardian and "wood" comes from the Old English word "wode" meaning wood. A wood guardian is what is now known as a forester who works in forests.

10. What might Chris Boardman's ancestors have done for a living?

Answer: Cut timber into boards

A boardman used to make planks from timber. These planks or boards might be times used to make anything from tables to ships.

Source: Author suomy

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor NatalieW before going online.
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