Author Description

The linguistic meaning and development of over 70,000 surnames are covered in this fascinating reference work, for the first time available in paperback. Clear and concise entries cover a wide range of names from Britain, Europe, North and South America, New Zealand, and many other countrieswhere surnames are of European origin. It features an introduction on surname distribution, and the typology of surnames (including patronymic surnames, local names, habitation names, occupational names, etc). Variants and diminutives are included, and the extensive cross-referencing makes this aneasy-to-use and indispensable reference guide for anyone interested in the origin of surnames.