Personal Names - Dictionaries, Baby Names, English Etymology
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Overview
How names were acquired, and how they have changed, is a subject of perennial fascination. The history of British names has often been approached by studying their roots in earlier languages, including Anglo-Saxon, Norse, Welsh and Gaelic. In Names and History George Redmonds, one of the leading historians of names, shows how far more needs to be taken into account than just etymology. Archaeology, farming practices, the landscape itself, genealogy, social customs, family networks and many other things are all relevant. By looking at the local meanings of names he has widened the whole field of name studies, providing while doing so a fascinating set of detective stories. Tracing one's ancestry will never be the same again.Synopsis
Steeped in English history and the origins of its complex language and often distinctly local use of words, this volume presents the stories of British last names, first names, animals, inns and pubs, ships, streets, plants, and local place names. The book is of interest to general readers wishing to delve into English names and history, and those interested in genealogy will find much to glean from the lengthy treatment of surnames. Distributed in the U.S. by Palgrave Macmillan. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Book Details
Published
November 1, 2004
Publisher
Continuum International Publishing Group
Pages
256
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9781852854263