system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: If most last names were based off of the person's profession, place of birth, or father, then how and why did a last name become something you inherit?

Why didn't each descendant choose a last name that reflected their own profession, place of birth, or father?
gpt
Because you were VERY likely to inherit your profession as well if you were a member of the lower class. If you father was a smith chances are pretty good he would teach you and when he died you would own his smithy and your son will be a smith as well. There wasn't a lot of upward mobility in ancient society.