Surnames Handbook

A Guide to Family Name Research in the 21st Century

First practical, easy-to-use guide to the latest techniques. Comprehensive, authoritative overview with detailed explanations . Extensive internet sources. Surname research is an important part of family history involving the discovery of the origins, changes and meaning of your family name. Surnames have always been a source of fascination for family historians, but the definitions provided in surname dictionaries are often woefully inadequate. The explosion of internet sources in the last decade has made the study of surnames an easier proposition than ever before, and new developments in genetic genealogy are advancing our knowledge and understanding of surnames. This book provides a comprehensive guide to researching your surname. It will take you through the available resources both online and offline to enable you to understand the origins, meaning, evolution, frequency and distribution of your surname.