Introduction to Surname Studies

What is a surname study?

Research of a specific surname as opposed to research of a complete

family history

Why undertake a surname study?

There may be several reasons among which:

• To solve a genealogical brick-wall in one’s genealogical research

• To discover the origin of a surname• To discover changes in the geographical distribution of the

surname

What is the meaning of my chosen surname?

• Could it be derived from a place? (e.g., Lincoln, Bath, Hall)

• Could it be derived from an occupation? (e.g., Carpenter, Archer, Parsons)

• Could it be derived from a parent? (e.g., Johnson, Margesson, Andrews)

• Could it be derived from a nickname? (e.g., Redhead, Armstrong, Bastard)

So what is a variant as opposed to a deviant?

A variant is the variation of a surname that is adopted and constantly used by a family (e.g. the original family name is Edenborough but a

branch of the family breaks away and chooses to spell the surname as Edinburgh)

A deviant, however, is the randomly and inconsistently spelt differences of a surname in official documents (e.g., a family known as

Edenborough is found to have various spelling inconsistencies recorded in parish registers or census enumerations as Edinboro, Edinborough, Edenborrow depending on who recorded the name (e.g., the census

enumerator spelt it how he heard it spoken)

True variants are not spelling variations of a surname and deviants are the other spellings of a surname in official records which have been

simply misspelt

How will I organise my study?

It is important to think about how you want to record information found when setting up a study and how you will store that information

Information found can include:

• Text-based material• Images• Sound• Video

You may choose to store information with:

HINT:

Whether you are using a database or a spreadsheet:

• keep the forename(s) and surname fields separate for everyone

• separate the date fields into D M Y

• Record cards and paper• Word processing• Spreadsheets• Databases• Family tree programs (lineage linked databases e.g., Family Historian, Legacy)• Specialised databases (e.g., Custodian, Clooze)• Desktop publishing• The worldwide web

Family/Lineage Numbering

At some stage you will find it becomes necessary to link your stored information to particular people and families

This is generally known as lineage or family reconstruction and you will need to think about a naming or numbering system

that suits your study

As an example, a large Edenborough family tree from Leicestershire is named LEI001 - and two separate trees from Lincolnshire that are not able to be linked are named LIN001

and LIN002. Another family located in Oxfordshire is numbered OXF001

 As research continues and another person is confirmed to a

specific family they are given the family reconstruction number for future identification

How will I collect data?

The same way you research your personal genealogy - by looking atthe records of:

• Civil registration• Probate• Parish registers• Electoral rolls• Land transactions• Directories• Census material

What software should I use?

Whether you use one of the well-known genealogy software programs or just stick with a simple spreadsheet, it is important to choose a software option that suits you!

Experiment with a few different programs – many are available to download for a free trial period

Analysis

What’s the point in undertaking a surname study if you don’t try to analyse at least

some of the information gathered

Why not analyse:• Where has the surname travelled to (migration)• Is the surname growing or dying out? • Child mortality rates• Adult longevity

Publication

There are many benefits of publicising your study, whether it be a

website, blog, newsletter or book, among which:

• To showcase your work in a form that will attract others to contribute further information

• To provide a permanent copy of your work

• To advertise your achievement

• To confirm or reject previous origins of a surname