A Dictionary of English Surnames (Paperback)

by P. H. Reaney (Author), R. M. Wilson (Author), David Hey (Contributor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A Dictionary of English Surnames is an authoritative and enlightening guide to the origins of English surnames and how they developed over the centuries. A comprehensive survey of this popular subject, it provides useful information on 16,000 surnames, giving full sources and dates. Different forms of names are also cross-referenced for ease of use. A valuable historical and linguistic introduction to the subject is included, along with a new appendix on how to trace the origin of a family name.

About the Author

David Hey is Professor of Local and Family History and Dean of the Faculty of Educational Studies at the University of Sheffield.

Product Details

• Paperback: 592 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 3 Rev Sub edition (August 21, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198600925
• ISBN-13: 978-0198600923
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #689,745 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The standard work on the subject, June 8, 2000

By	Mark Howells (Puyallup, Washington State, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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

The introduction alone outstanding through its clear explanations of the four main groups of surnames: local surnames; surnames of relationships; occupational surnames; and nicknames. Brief pages about regional surname patterns are also enlightening.

The meat of the book is the alphabetical listing of some 16,000 English surnames, their variations, probable origins, and notes on early occurrences in the written records.

The cross-referencing between variant spellings is excellent and makes for easy navigation between variants.

A first rate resource for English genealogy and local history.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Goes far beyond Smith!, September 2, 1999

By A Customer

This book is so detailed in the origion of English Surnames, I never feel lost when I'm trying to place a character in a certain time period. Also, to call it only English Surnames is a bit misleading since England is made of of those who conquered and invaded it or that they conquered themselves. There are Surnames that decend from Norway (Vikings), Germany, France, not to mention Ireland, Wales, Scotland and the Isle of Man.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Another English Chap, May 24, 2004

By A Customer

After buying this book with great expectations I was very disappointed. Out of curiosity I thought I would check the reviews which may have been left for it. I was astonished to see how highly others had rated it. (They can't all be related to the author or the publisher!). I don't normally feel inclined to criticise other people's work but this book left me feeling very disatisfied. I know it is a dictionary but I wanted more plain language explanation not just a string of technical jargon after each entry.
I found the introduction especially tedious and difficult to make sense of. Apart from the fairly obvious divisions (local, occupational etc.) the rest of it is also very technical and really not readily understood by a layman. Even the explanations of the abbreviations were obtuse. It seemed that some discussion of the source material would have been informative. As it was I was left feeling totally in the dark.
It is clearly a scholarly work and probably useful to academia but I doubt that the average man on the street would get much use out of it. Sorry!