Dictionary Of American Family Names

Dictionary Of American Family Names

Where did your surname come from? Do you know how many people in the United States share it? What does it tell you about your lineage?From the editor of the highly acclaimedDictionary of Surnames comes the most extensive compilation of surnames in America. The result of 10 years of research and 30 consulting editors, this massive undertaking documents 70,000 surnames of Americans across the country. A reference source like no other, it surveys each surname giving its meaning, nationality, alternate spellings, common forenames associated with it, and the frequency of each surname and forename.TheDictionary of American Family Names is a fascinating journey throughout the multicultural United States, offering a detailed look at the meaning and frequency of surnames throughout the country. For students studying family genealogy, others interested in finding out more about their own lineage, or lexicographers, theDictionary is an ideal place to begin research.From School Library JournalGrade 9 Up-This scholarly dictionary contains more than 70,000 entries-covering 85 to 90 percent of the U.S. population-and is the most comprehensive collection of American surnames ever produced. Hanks and contributors used the 1997 ProCD phone directory to create a truly multicultural work, with a vast array of names from European, Asian, and Middle Eastern backgrounds. Entries include each name's frequency of occurrence in the database; language(s), origin(s), and definition(s); associated given names; and, for some, the earliest known bearer in North America (or other historical notes). The lengthy introductory material covers the history of surnames, types of names, and-in 23 separate essays-surnames from particular countries/ethnic groups (including bibliographies). This set will be useful for genealogists, historians, and others curious about their family roots. However, it is not written for the layperson, and most students will need assistance in interpreting entries. Unfortunately, there are no glossaries that define genealogical, grammatical, and linguistic terms, and teens are likely to puzzle over such words as metonymic, agent derivative, byname, cognate, etc. Another drawback is that while there are cross-references to main entries (e.g., Roecker, "variant of ROCKER"), there are none going in the other direction; and some names mentioned as variations don't receive their own listing (for instance, Van der Werken, which appears to be absent, is actually discussed under Vanderwalker). Still, Family Names is a valuable contribution and will likely become the definitive source in this area.Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NYCopyright