If someone (in the world or near you) has the same last name as you do does that make them related to you?

[baxterville]

Possibly, but not necessarily. Some names originated in clans who eventually traveled and spread the family name all over the world. But since there were different clans whose only connection was a common name, name alone doesn't indicate a genetic connection. Lots of names have been altered or changed completely over time, as well. At Ellis Island, for instance, immigration workers often misspelled names and the tweaked version became someone's legal name. And other names were so difficult to spell or pronounce that they were simplified or changed altogether. In my family, for example, there are two branches whose surname has no connection whatsoever with our heritage. One name was changed from Graf to LaGraf during the immigration process. And in the other case, a distant relative simply chose a different last name because he was wanted for horse thievery and knew having a different name would help him evade the lawmen. The name he chose, which is of a completely different national origin than his true name, is now my family surname.