Do Many Welsh Surnames Reflect Past Occupations?

Unlike surnames that reflect physical characteristics suprisingly few do reflect occupations.

One reason for this is probably rooted in the nature of occupations in the past. In pre-industrial Wales the majority of occupations were connected to agriculture, Welsh society was overwhelmingly based on the rural economy and some trades.
It is suggested that the range of occupations was limited and this is reflected in the lack of Welsh names based on occupations.
In areas were there was a wider range of occupations it is likely that there was a strong English influence and in those areas occupational surnames would be based largely on English names.
Farmer as a surname is thought to be of English origin.
Turning to Welsh occupations;Sears and it's varients is derived from the Welsh word saer - a carpenter.
Crowther may have it's origins in crythor, a player of an early type of fiddle the crwth.

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