tˌɑːpəɡɹˈæfɪkəl fˈiːtʃɚz pɹəvˈaɪdᵻd ˈɑːbviəs ænd kənvˈiːnɪənt mˈiːnz ʌv aɪdˈɛntɪfɪkˈeɪʃən ɪnðə smˈɔːl kəmjˈuːnᵻɾiz ʌvðə mˈɪdəl ˈeɪdʒᵻz, ɡˈɪvɪŋ ɹˈaɪz tə vˈɛɹiəs sˈɜːneɪmz.
Topographical features provided obvious and convenient means of identification in the small communities of the Middle Ages, giving rise to various surnames.