[fuzztester]

Some surnames of people seem to be based on the names of the traditional occupations of their ancestors.

Examples:

English or British origin people:

Carpenter, Miller, Fisher, Tailor, Weaver, Smith, Cooper, etc.

This happens in some other countries too. E.g.:

India:

Munim, Vakil, Gavli, Engineer, something-vala or -walla (this last one for Parsis, typically), Pandit, Kulkarni, Shimpi, etc.

[madcaptenor]

The best example I know for India is a Dr. Devika Icecreamwala, who is not an ice cream seller but a dermatologist. (It's her married name; she was born Patel, which is about as boring as you can get for an Indian surname.)

[OldGuyInTheClub]

I give you Sir Cowasji Jehangir Readymoney

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowasji_Jehangir_Readymoney

[vrc]

I prefer the Indian singer Kunal Ganjawala. Also shoutout to the Tobaccowalas and Daruvalas!

[fuzztester]

Best one that I have heard of is Sodabottleopenerwala.

Not sure if it's made up or real.

[vrc]

That’s a restaurant chain that serves Parsi food afaik! Like a modernized Brittania. I remember that they hired mostly hearing impaired wait staff and have instructions for interacting with them. It’s a really cool concept and the food is good too.

[fuzztester]

Interesting. Where is the chain, in Mumbai?

And is Brittania the name of a Parsi restaurant?

[vrc]

I’ve been to one in Delhi and Gurgaon. I think there’s one in Mumbai. Brittania is one of thr OG Parsi spots still open in Mumbai.

[dugmartin]

Lots of German ones too.

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Category:German_surnames_from...