Most Ashkenazi Jews did not take surnames until compelled to do so by government authorities at the turn of the 19th century. Here, a list of the most common and what they mean.
Read more on Slate: http://www.slate.com/blogs/lexicon_valley/2014/01/08/ashkenazi_names_the_etymology_of_the_most_common_jewish_surnames.html?wpisrc=burger_bar