Bren is right, British surnames can be VERY tricky--due to migrations, intermarriage, etc.-- which in turn can complicate one's geneological analyses. My matrilineal surname is Dyer, which can be either Scots-Irish (or even Welsh)--a corrupted English spelling of Dwyer (Duibhir), "Black or Dark-Haired or Complexioned"-- or English (literally, a dyer of textile cloth or animal skins). My patrilineal surname, Clements (Clemens, Clement, Clemmons, et al.), originally of ancient Roman origin, is generally, in its numerous British variations, associated with Clan Lamont (which, ironically enough, is my given name).