It is probable that at first all names were significant. Old Testament names are almost all original; that is, they were given in the first instance to the individuals bearing them. They either originated in some circumstance of birth or expressed some religious sentiment, thus: Jacob (supplanter), Isaiah (salvation of Jehovah), Hannah (favor), Deborah (bee). When some important change occurred in a man's life, his name was often changed to fit his new circumstances or disposition. Thus Abram became Abraham, and Jacob became Israel. Neither the Hebrews, Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians nor Greeks had surnames; and in the earliest period of their history the same may be said of the Romans. In course of time, however, every Roman citizen had three names, the praenomen, or personal name, the nomen, or name of the gens or clan, and the cognomen, or family name, as Publius Cornelius Scipio. Conquerors were occasionally complimented by the addition of a fourth name, or agnomen, commemorative of their conquests, as Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus. Greek names often implied some great virtue, some special favoritism on the part of the gods or some future great event; while Roman names referred often to the personal appearance and were frequently supplemented by the occupation, place of birth or a nickname. Times of great public excitement have had a very considerable influence in modifying the fashion in names. It is impossible to state with any degree of certainty when the modern system of personal nomenclature became general. Surnames were introduced by the Norman adventures, but were for centuries confined to the upper classes. They became general in Scotland about the twelfth century. In some of the wilder districts of Wales they can hardly be said to have been adopted even yet. The principal sources from which surnames have been derived are personal characteristics (Black, Long, Short); rank, profession or occupation (Bishop, Knight, Miller); localities or natural objects (Hill, Dale, Stone), and patronymics (Johnson, Wilson, Andrews). The Scotch Mac, the Irish O', the Norman Fitz, the German-sohn, the Scandinavian-sen and the Russian-vitch have the same force as the English-son. The Hebrews had no surnames proper, but to distinguish two men of the same name they used the form Solomon ben David (Solomon, son of David). The Welsh use the word ap in the sam way--Evan ap Richard (John, son of Richard). In most nations the wife changes her surname on marriage to that of her husband; in Spain, however, she retains it, while the son may adopt either the paternal or the maternal name. In many states of the Union, a man can change his name only by securing a special act of the legislature of his state.