The Normans were originally Vikings from Scandinavia who settled in northern France around the early 10th century. This settlement became known as Normandy, named after the "Northmen" or Norsemen. The French king granted them the land in 911 in exchange for protection against further Viking invasions. Over time, the Normans adopted the local French language, culture, and Christianity, assimilating with the local population while retaining their warrior spirit and adventurous nature. The Normans are most famous for their military conquests, including the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 led by William the Conqueror. They also expanded into southern Italy, Sicily, Wales, Scotland, and parts of Ireland. They introduced many cultural and administrative innovations, such as surnames in England and the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of land ownership. Their descendants played significant roles across Europe and beyond during the medieval period, influencing language, architecture, and politics in the territories they controlled.