It is true that most of the surnames come from their enslaved ancestors but not all. As like momion listed names, I found some of them not from Enslaved Ancestors Owners.
Do Most African-American Surnames Come From Their Enslaved Ancestors Owners ?
Yes it is a known fact that most African American surnames come from their enslaved ancestor owners. Its was a fact that was much hailed and promoted during the Afro American struggle for social rights. Even Malcolm X had started using 'X' as the name of that anonymous African ancestor that was smuggled to the American soil.
It is true that most of the African American surnames come from their enslaved ancestors owners. However, it is true for only those African Americans whose ancestors were slaves. These slaves took the names of their beloved Masters. Or upon freedom from slavery, they took popular American names. Thus it is usually very difficult to find their actual surnames and thus their history.
Its true that african americans took there masters names..but the orgin of your last name suggest other wise..jewish and german people didnt own slaves..its possible that you might have those nationalities somewhere in you..hopes it helps=)
Please take no offence at this, I really don't wan to offend you but could you rephrase the question so maybe like 'why/where do the majority of african american surnames come from?' or something else like that, sorry if it didn't make sense! It's just that I feel so torn with the whole racism thing NOT THAT I'M CALLING YOU RACIST! I just don't like seeing things that make a reference to a time when basically my people(because I'm european) were being so mean and arrogant. I love all people please don't separate us from each other!! Although you might think I'm going on abit and I'm making a big deal out of nothing, I do admit I can be very over sensitive about things like this and I'm not having a go at you! Anyway I think that it could be possible to be named after your 'owners' but I always got the impression that any random name of where an africans ancestors would have come from would of gotten a random name of the origin of that specific country. Hope this helped you!