The Surnames Handbook: A Guide to Family Name Research in the 21st Century

by Debbie Kennett

Every surname has its own story to tell, and a surname study is a natural complement to family history research. The study of surnames has been revolutionised in the last decade with the increasing availability of online resources, and it is now easier than ever before to explore the history, evolution, distribution and meaning of your family name. The Surnames Handbook provides a comprehensive guide to researching your surname using genealogical methods in conjunction with the latest advances in DNA testing and surname mapping. The book explores the key resources that are used to study a surname and is packed with links to relevant websites giving you everything you need to research your surname in one compact volume.

224 pages, Paperback

First published February 29, 2012

Reviews

[Gemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very thorough and well-written book on a sprawling topic. This is well-organised and the appendices are extremely helpful. The author has also included excellent examples to demonstrate the ideas and documents in action.

My only criticism of this book is that there was repetition of some ideas, statistics, explanations etc that made it feel a little tedious in parts. If these were removed, it would make for a more streamlined read. Nevertheless, this is an essential read for someone who is starting their foray into surnames as it is so jam packed with great content.

Note: As with any book on genealogy, there are some references that are no longer up to date because datasets have either moved to a new platform or projects have been completed on digitising documents since the book’s publication.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new addition to my growing library of genealogical resources. Undeniably geeky but full of fascinating detail about the history of surnames, the challenges they pose in family history, and how DNA research is bringing fresh insights. The author is highly knowledgeable and provides practical examples in a very readable style.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although published in 2012, this book still contains quite a lot of useful information even though some of the websites, etc. are no longer valid.

[Mhd]

Sample is excellent.