English Surnames

This classic dictionary explains the origins of over 16,000 names in current English use. It will be a source of fascination to everyone with an interest in names and their history.This classic dictionary answers questions such as these and explains the origins of over 16,000 names in current English use. It will be a source of fascination to everyone with an interest in names and their history.

For anyone interested in tracing a family name or family history in England, this is the standard guide. It covers the origin and meaning of over 16,000 surnames, giving detailed information on early name-forms and how names have changed over the centuries. Alternative forms of names arecross-referenced to make it easy to find variants. An authoritative introduction sets in context the popular topic of name-studies, and guides the reader through the history and linguistic background of English surnames. In a new appendix for this revised edition, the distinguished family historian,Professor David Hey (author of the new Oxford Companion to Local and Family History), gives guidelines on how to go about the business of tracing the history of a name, to give you practical advice about sources of information.

Containing entries for more than 45,000 English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish, Cornish, and immigrant surnames, The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland is the ultimate reference work on family names of the UK. The Dictionary includes every surname that currently has more than 100 bearers. Each entry contains lists of variant spellings of the name, an explanation of its origins (including the etymology), lists of early bearers showing evidence for formation and continuity from the date of formation down to the 19th century, geographical distribution, and, where relevant, genealogical and bibliographical notes, making this a fully comprehensive work on family names. This authoritative guide also includes an introductory essay explaining the historical background, formation, and typology of surnames and a guide to surnames research and family history research. Additional material also includes a list of published and unpublished lists of surnames from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Reaney surveys the origins and history of English surnames. The book is etymological and explanatory, not genealogical, though this aspect has not been ignored.