I know some last names like Smith and Baker were from a profession, but how did we get names like Adams, Johnson, and Owens or other more obscure names? I was wondering about how people marry in and out of various family names, but we haven't all turned into one of a select few large names.
Check this out first: FAQ on Surnames
In what culture? The Icelanders, for instance, still don't have last names that are family names, but rather patronymics. Adams, Owens and Johnson are all patronymics as well.