The Flavii of the Republic used the cognomina "Fimbria", "Gallus", "Lucanus", and "Pusio". Only the Fimbriae, whose surname refers to a fringe or border, represented a distinct family. "Gallus" and "Lucanus" belong to a class of surnames derived from places of origin or association, referring to Gaul and Lucania, respectively, although "Gallus", a very common surname, could also refer to a cockerel. "Pusio" was originally a nickname indicating a little boy, and would have been bestowed on someone small or youthful.