A locative byname indicates that you are from some named place. Sometimes the name of the place followed the given name directly, without a preposition, thus forming the bynames Linton, Homwode, London and York. Toponymic bynames are derived from topographic or other local features of the landscape. Names of this type are quite common in England. Eventually, of course, these usually wore down to Beech, Hill and Fen.
Epithets are bynames that refer to some personal characteristic of the bearer.
In the Middle Ages, a person acquired this from friends and acquaintances. An appellation of this sort can be complimentary, uncomplimentary or simply descriptive. Occupational names are often the most obvious in origin. Baker, Brewer, Weaver, Taylor and Smith are fairly obvious in meaning. Some of these occupational bynames also have feminine versions which became hereditary surnames.