Surnames of Scotland : Their Origin, Meaning and History [Hardcover]

George F. Black (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1999

This major reference work, first published in 1946, is a fully documented alphabetical listing of over 8,000 Scottish family and personal names and is an invaluable source of information for genealogists, historians and families interested in their Scottish ancestry.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A monumental work giving origin, meaning, and history of Scottish surnames from the earliest times, references to sources--Eugene P. Sheehy -- Guide to Reference Books, 9th ed. (Chicago: American Library Association

Details of the names are drawn from official or other accredited sources, which are duly referred to and catalogued. -- Times Literary Suppliment (London)

About the Author

The late Dr. George Fraser Black, (1866-1948), a noted bibliographer and historical scholar on the staff of The New York Public Library from 1896-1931, spent almost half a century on the research of this volume. Miss Mary Elder Black, who had assisted her father in the preparation of the main text, also supplied the amendments and additions included as an appendix.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 910 pages
• Publisher: New York Public Library (1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871041723
• ISBN-13: 978-0871041722
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #583,460 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Genealogy Gem, October 24, 2000

By 

"darbiblio" (VA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Surnames of Scotland : Their Origin, Meaning and History (Hardcover)

George Fraser Black, Ph.D., compiled this listing of Scottish surnames from public and other records of Scotland throughout the centuries. An impressive and detailed bibliography lists his sources. The listing includes all the variations of spelling for each name, the date when it appeared and the location, and some insights or explanation, where appropriate. The 838 page volume includes a Glossary of Obsolete or Uncommon Scots Words. This is an invaluable reference for anyone interested in Scottish genealogy. It can quickly aid the person who is unsure whether his or her ancestry is Irish or Scottish. I highly recommend this book and am proud to have it in my library.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE book on Scottish surnames, October 11, 2008

By 

Tom McVey "Pipertom" (Cottage Grove, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Surnames of Scotland : Their Origin, Meaning and History (Hardcover)

Dr. Black's book is the most complete book on Scottish surnames available today. Yes, there are no doubt some names not to be found in it but they are few and far between! I have worn out two copies of this book and working my way through the third, but I will replace it when necessary at whatever cost.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Required Reference Source, September 12, 2011

By 

flying scotsman - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Surnames of Scotland : Their Origin, Meaning and History (Hardcover)

"Surnames of Scotland" provides a valuable reference for our Scottish clan organization. We participate in Scottish games and highland gatherings throughout northern California, where we are continually approached by visitors who have questions about their heritage. This well-researched guide gives the documentary history of names appearing in historic records throughout Scotland, along with the date and location of the occurence and ancillary historical information where it is available. For any student of Scottish families, this book provides a very helpful reference. Definitely recommended.