Origins Of surnames.

[Jabberwocky]

I wasnt sure quite where to put this thread, I hope this section is ok.

 

Anyway, have a look at this:

 

http://www.surnamedb.com/home.aspx

 

Interesting stuff for those who are researching their history.

[Darkoak]

I wish I descended from something a bit more interesting than "barn-dwellers"!

[Guest]

Interesting. Mine's Old French derived from Latin/Italian. It does sound a bit mundane when said with a Sheffield accent though .

[rainbow2411]

This site gives a very upbeat account of my surname, derived from Mary mother of Christ it tells me, when in fact I know that it was also the name for a "kitchen slut" or "oven clout" how would you like to spend hours researching your name to find that little nugget, not good for the ego.

[Diddles]

I wasnt sure quite where to put this thread, I hope this section is ok.

 

Anyway, have a look at this:

 

http://www.surnamedb.com/home.aspx

 

Interesting stuff for those who are researching their history.

 

Thanks that's brill. We have an unusual surname which I didn't think was remotely English, but it turns out that it is pre 8th century and is derived from either the old English for a hunter, or from a placename in Devon.

[Jabberwocky]

They seem to be adding new names all the time too, so if by any chance a name isnt there, you can always go back later and see if they added it yet.

[Cliffhanger]

Try this site. tells you where your surname was most popular in the 1880's and 1990's. Fascinating stuff .......

 

http://www.spatial-literacy.org/UCLnames/Surnames.aspx