Category Archives: Surnames

A History of Surnames

The study of genealogy mainly relies on the surname in order to follow a family line. However, in relation to the history of the United Kingdom, surnames have only been around for about 1000 years. Continue reading

Posted in Surnames | Tagged | Leave a comment

Do You Have Shakespeare Genealogy?

It is a sad fact that there are no direct living descendants of the great bard, William Shakespeare.  The direct line ended with his grandchildren, but of course there is always the possibility that anyone with the surname SHAKESPEARE (with … Continue reading

Posted in Genealogies of the famous, History, Surnames | Tagged , , | 236 Comments

Genealogy Records Online and Family Surnames

The internet has been a marvellous tool for family historians.  Indexes and records that previously could only be seen by travelling to an archives office can now be searched, and often viewed, online within minutes and a few mouse clicks.  … Continue reading

Posted in Genealogy Websites, Organizing records, Surnames | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Genealogical Problems: Surname Spellings

One of the most common problems when tracing ancestors is the variations you will come across in surname spellings. There are several reasons why this happens. 1.  Up until the 19th century there were no standardized spellings for surnames.  Also, … Continue reading

Posted in Indexes, Surnames | Tagged , | 4 Comments