A Dictionary of Surnames [Hardcover]

Patrick Hanks (Author), Flavia Hodges (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0192115928 | ISBN-13: 978-0192115928 | Publication Date: February 23, 1989

A unique reference work, this international dictionary is a systematic, comparative survey of the origins and meanings of some 100,000 currently used surnames of European origin, as they are presently found throughout the world. With the help of consultant editors in specific areas--particularly for Jewish, Spanish, and Gaelic names--the authors present information about the language or region in which the surname originated, major events in the history of noted names, the original meaning, peculiarites of regional distribution, and in some cases the form, date, and location of early instances of the name. Uniquely organized to allow comparison between names that share the same etymology, the dictionary groups together within a single entry many different cognate and variant forms, including diminutives and patronymics. A comprehensive alphabetical index allows easy cross-referencing. Summarizing a wealth of historical and etymological information in a clear and concise manner, the dictionary will be interesting and accessible to the general reader, and an essential reference tool for historians, genealogists, philologists, and local family history societies.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Unlike most other surname dictionaries that focus on specific nationalities, this work's 100,000 entries come from throughout Europe, Australia, North America, and the British Isles. Names are treated as a cultural and linguistic phenomenon and chosen on the principal of frequency and on the basis of available information. The methodology of selection, classification of names, and background for each nationality as well as Jewish family names are thoroughly covered in the introduction. The most common spelling of a name is listed in an alphabetical arrangement, with variant spellings in "nested groups" under main entries. An index leads the user to variant spellings within entries. A surname's derivation, name type, meaning, noncognate equivalents, and earliest use are typically provided. This scholarly work, the most comprehensive surname dictionary to date, will be welcome in most public and academic libraries. Stanley P. Hodge, Ball State Univ. Lib., Muncie, Ind.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"One of the best single-volume reference works on British and European surnames and is highly recommended for all types of libraries."--American Reference Books Annual

A Dictionary of Surnames is one of the best of the single-volume reference works on British and European surnames and is highly recomended for all types of libraries."ARBA

"As...Hanks and Hodges remark in their prefatory material, 'surnames studies are sadly neglected in most of the countries of Europe; the number of reliable reference works is remarkably small.' Based on well-structured methodology and sound research, The Dictionary of Surnames makes an excellent contribution toward filling this reference vacuum....Immediately becomes the standard reference source for the information it contains."--Booklist/RRB

"An entertaining book and, for genealogists, onomasticians, and historians especially, a useful reference work."--Language

"This scholarly work, the most comprehensive surname dictionary to date, will be welcome in most public and academic libraries."--Library Journal

"Probably the most inclusive surname dictionary available not limited to the names of a particular country, this would be a welcome addition to academic collections at any level and to public and special libraries serving genealogists, social historians, historical linguists, family historians, demographers, etc."--Choice

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 880 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (February 23, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192115928
• ISBN-13: 978-0192115928
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.7 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,198,764 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not only a useful tool, but enjoyable reading as well., September 11, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: A Dictionary of Surnames (Hardcover)

Although the price of this book can be a little intimidating, it is well worth the money spent for anyone interested in how and why our surnames developed. The introductory pages give information on names in many different language groups, and tells what all the different endings on names mean in each of these languages. The style is not dry and academic as one would expect, but is comfortable reading for both the layman and the professional.

The dictionary itself lists over 70,000 names along with many variations in spelling, and also gives translations of the original name into English. (Ellis Island strikes again!) Following the dictionary is an alpabetical listing of varients, so that if you can't find the name you are looking for as a main listing, you will be able to find out where it has been hidden.

I have spent many, many hours just reading listings in this book for entertainment, as well as using it as a reference tool for finding peoples names in the onomastic business. This one is definately a "must own" for anyone interested in names.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars excellent reference, February 1, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: A Dictionary of Surnames (Hardcover)

An alphabetic compendium of the derivation of european names (with a separate section for arabic names). Without being a scholarly work it covers a wide field. Those seeking ancestral background for names not usually covered: basques, ashkenazi, eastern european in general, will find it invaluable. Perhaps too much space is given to english surnames for which a wide variety of sources already exist As an english language source for european names it is invaluable

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone's Reference Book, May 3, 2006

By 

Joseph A. Kolupke (Alamosa, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Dictionary of Surnames (Hardcover)

"A Dictionary of Surnames" is that rare reference book that you can read like a novel. Such a remarkable work can only be called a labor of love. The editors, Patrick Hanks and Flavia Hodges, have packed into this book a degree of erudition that is as breathtaking as it is unobtrusive. All the most common surnames (last names) of Europe and America are given, insofar as is possible, a full etymology and a list of cognate names in the other European languages. Thus we find, for example, that the surname "Jacob," or its more common patronymic form "Jacobs," derives from the biblical Jacob, thought to mean "heel," from the tradition that Jacob was born grasping his twin brother Esau's heel. There are , as you might expect, cognates in nearly all the European languages: Italian "Giacobo," Polish "Kobierski," Dutch "Kobus,"Czech "Kubec," Hungarian "Kabos," as well as scores of diminutive, patronymic, and pejorative forms. Many of these are, naturally, quite transparent, but who would guess that the name "Botticelli" is an Italian diminutive of Jacob? A very thorough index makes locating these obscure variants an easy task. If you are at all curious as to how you or the people that you know got your names, you must have this book. I have had my copy for several years and was just checking to see if a second edition has come out. Alas, no--but this one's plenty to keep you busy for a while.