Surname

Where do I go with this?  It was my turn to pick a word at random in the dictionary.  The word is “Surname.”  Doh!  Everyone I know has a surname.  And a first name.  Not everyone has a middle name.  My dad did not.
If my name is anything to go by, it is no wonder I am an enigma.  Peter (rock) Graeme (stern faced) Kuskie (flower).
I was talking to a person from Singapore of Chinese descent.  The Chinese always put the surname first.  Another lady Merril and I spoke to was called Carol and she married a Murray.  Callum Murry was banded about quite a bit.  Some combinations are unfortunate at best.  It is not a good idea to name a person Dwaine if the surname is Pipe.
Most names have meanings.  Many indicate the profession of someone in the past.  “Butcher” is fairly self-explanatory.  Smith is common, but there were many types of smiths (black, iron, silver etc).  We joke about people with the same Surname and first name as ourselves, but I must admit I have found it a little disconcerting to find there are other Peter Kuskie’s.  Besides, both the others seem to be known much more widely than me.  One I know is related and they are a partner in a law firm.  The other is based in Canberra and has had a heap to do with archaeology.  Both are listed in search engines referencing their roles and achievements.  I am listed in a search engine too.  Find Peter Kuskie on Facebook!”  I am so unknown I am lucky if I know me.
Most surnames do have a meaning though.  I know it does not, so Kuskie might mean “death and destruction.”  So when a teacher calls out “Kuskie, here are the results of your report.”  They would be really calling out “Death and destruction here are the results of your report.”
I do feel sorry for those of long ago.  Often someone would be named based on the experiences of the parents.  If those experiences were bad the name given was often bad.  They may say “this has been the worst time of my life,” so the kid gets named “the worst time of my life.”  Well the word in the local dialect that means that.  I feel sorry for the kid.  Life is hard enough without that.
Those that care, often want to shrug off their name.  The surname “Frost” means “someone with an icy disposition.”  Someone may declare “that is not how I will be known.”  I aim to be the exact opposite and be known for my warm and welcoming disposition.
Others want to live up to their surname.  The surname “King” denotes a person who conducts themselves in a kingly manner.  That sort of surname inspires behaviour like that.
Whatever the case names often, though not always, describe how someone is.  I reckon my name is me.  I look serious and am when it is appropriate, but there is very much a non-serious side.  My dad was like that.  Sometimes a surname is to be desired, and at other times it is like a millstone.  If that is the case, it is up to an individual to prove them wrong.