Encyclopedia of Surnames - by John Ayto (Paperback)

About the Book

The Encyclopedia of Surnames is not just another dictionary! With entertaining coverage of more than 7,000 surnames, it provides a complete and accessible companion to tracing the history of names. Written by John Ayto, a respected lexicographer, it is the ideal gift or research tool for anyone interested in tracing their family history.

Book Synopsis

The Encyclopedia of Surnames is not just another dictionary! With entertaining coverage of more than 7,000 surnames listed alphabetically, it provides a complete and accessible companion to tracing the history of names.

Written by John Ayto, a respected lexicographer and author of titles such as Word Origins, the Encyclopedia of Surnames is the ideal gift or research tool for historians, journalists, genealogists, researchers and anyone interested in tracing their family history.

Broad coverage includes supplementary features on famous surnames, surnames of fictional characters, pseudonyms and names from abroad which are popular in the UK, including Celtic names.

Review Quotes

"An excellent research companion, the book's also an addictive read." --Family History Monthly (Jan 2008)

"This is an interesting, varied collection, and as a bonus Ayto includes notes on famous bearers of many of the names and interesting facts about them - a welcome addition. A book you could spend hours poring over." --Family History Monthly (Autumn 2007)

"This book provides an accessible companion to tracing the history of names and is the ideal research tool for anyone interested in tracing their family history" --Mid-West Times (March 2008)

About the Author

John Ayto is an experienced lexicographer and author of many language titles including Word Origins. He is Chief Etymologist on the Bloomsbury English Dictionary.