Customer Reviews

Scottish Surnames and Families

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Scottish Surnames & Families by Donald Whyte is a Barnes & Noble special that despite its dust jacket claim ("Breathtaking scope"), contained neither my surname nor my wife's (the rather more common Duncan/Donnchadh). If yours happens to be included, you will enjoy at most a two-page entry. To be fair, the Introduction is informative. (Edited to add: I re-read the 7-page Introduction and it really is excellent. I am bumping up the book's Rating to 3 stars because of it. Example: "For many centuries the surnames of numerous officials and craftsmen proclaimed their calling. Frequently, as in the case of blacksmiths, son succeeded father, because the tools of the trade were inherited.") But from all accounts, Surnames of Scotland : Their Origin, Meaning and History is a better book.

It is important to remember that an entire industry caters to the celebration of Scottish genealogical ties. Coats of arms, tartans, and more are available--for a price--to those with even a fleeting connection to old Caledonia.


Addendum

The author died earlier this year. (Obit in Comments section below.)