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For better or worse, what we are is often determined by our family; the events that occurred many years before we were born and the choices that were made by our forebears are our inheritance - we are the inexorable product of family history. So it is with nations. The history of Great Britain has been largely defined by powerful and influential families, many of whose names have come down to us from Celtic, Danish, Saxon or Norman ancestors. Their family names fill the pages of our history books; they are indelibly written into the events which we learned about at school. Iconic family names like Wellington, Nelson, Shakespeare, Cromwell, Constable, De Montfort and Montgomery… there are innumerable others. They reflect the long chequered history of Britain, and demonstrate the assimilation of the many cultures and languages which have migrated to these islands over the centuries, and which have resulted in the emergence of our language.
This book is a snapshot of several hundred such family names and delves into their beginnings and derivations, making extensive use of old sources, including translations of The Domesday Book and The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, as well as tracing many through the centuries to the present day.
Read Online Great British Family Names and Their History What in a Name? John Moss Books
"Thanks to Pen & Sword History and NetGalley for allowing me to read Great British Family Names and Their History by John Moss. This is more a reference book rather than a history book. It discusses the history and origin of hundreds of British surnames. These names and the associated families came from Celtic, Danish, Saxon or Norman ancestors. Before the Norman Conquest surnames were not used in Britain, or most places. People were known only by their given names. It was only after the coming of William the Conqueror that surnames came to be used. In addition to names based on trades like Cooper, Tanner, Weaver, Tailor, Potter, Carpenter, Fletcher, and Smith, many people were named for where they lived. The book is broken down by region and includes Wales, Scotland and Ireland. For each name the author discusses its origin using original sources like the Domesday Book and the Pipe Rolls to determine how and when the name came into use. It also mentions the various derivations of the name. For example, the name Annesley, which appeared as “Aneslei" in the Domesday Book of 1086, is derived from the personal name Ann and “Leahâ€, the old English name for woodland clearing or grove. Hence the name meant Ann’s clearing. The landholder might then become known by this location, such as Richard of Aneslei, which became Richard Annesley or Ansley. The book also lists the original landholders and significant members of this family down through history. Since these families were those who played vital roles in British history this book will be useful to anyone studying medieval as well as British history in general."
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Great British Family Names and Their History What in a Name? John Moss Books Reviews :
Great British Family Names and Their History What in a Name? John Moss Books Reviews
- Thanks to Pen & Sword History and NetGalley for allowing me to read Great British Family Names and Their History by John Moss. This is more a reference book rather than a history book. It discusses the history and origin of hundreds of British surnames. These names and the associated families came from Celtic, Danish, Saxon or Norman ancestors. Before the Norman Conquest surnames were not used in Britain, or most places. People were known only by their given names. It was only after the coming of William the Conqueror that surnames came to be used. In addition to names based on trades like Cooper, Tanner, Weaver, Tailor, Potter, Carpenter, Fletcher, and Smith, many people were named for where they lived. The book is broken down by region and includes Wales, Scotland and Ireland. For each name the author discusses its origin using original sources like the Domesday Book and the Pipe Rolls to determine how and when the name came into use. It also mentions the various derivations of the name. For example, the name Annesley, which appeared as “Aneslei" in the Domesday Book of 1086, is derived from the personal name Ann and “Leahâ€, the old English name for woodland clearing or grove. Hence the name meant Ann’s clearing. The landholder might then become known by this location, such as Richard of Aneslei, which became Richard Annesley or Ansley. The book also lists the original landholders and significant members of this family down through history. Since these families were those who played vital roles in British history this book will be useful to anyone studying medieval as well as British history in general.
- This is a well-referenced book that I’m sure many will turn to in family research! I was surprised at how detailed the sections were. 4 stars
