> It's probably a Roman thing. There is very likely no connection. The introduction of surnames in Germany took place in the 15th century (somewhat earlier in

> It's probably a Roman thing. There is very likely no connection. The introduction of surnames in Germany took place in the 15th century (somewhat earlier in German speaking parts of Switzerland). In Franconia, the "ethnic" distinct northern part of which is today Bavaria and which was never a part of the Roman empire, the last-name first custom also occurs in a few places such as Bamberg.