Anybody who has ever wondered about the origin of a family name will find the answer in this new dictionary, which explains the origin and meaning of all the common surnames in the English-speaking world, together with many other rarer English names and foreign names. It also gives information, where possible, about their history and distribution, and about some of the notable people who have borne them. The dictionary is based on extensive study of the literature of surname research in all the major European languages. Specialist consultants for particular areas, including the Celtic languages, Iberian languages, and Jewish names, have provided much information not previously available. This title is also announced in the Oxford General Books catalogue for Autumn 1988.

One of the best single-volume reference works on British and European surnames and is highly recommended for all types of libraries. --American Reference Books Annual
A Dictionary of Surnames is one of the best of the single-volume reference works on British and European surnames and is highly recomended for all types of libraries. ARBA
As...Hanks and Hodges remark in their prefatory material, 'surnames studies are sadly neglected in most of the countries of Europe; the number of reliable reference works is remarkably small.' Based on well-structured methodology and sound research, The Dictionary of Surnames makes an excellent
contribution toward filling this reference vacuum....Immediately becomes the standard reference source for the information it contains. --Booklist/RRB
An entertaining book and, for genealogists, onomasticians, and historians especially, a useful reference work. --Language
This scholarly work, the most comprehensive surname dictionary to date, will be welcome in most public and academic libraries. --Library Journal
Probably the most inclusive surname dictionary available not limited to the names of a particular country, this would be a welcome addition to academic collections at any level and to public and special libraries serving genealogists, social historians, historical linguists, family historians,
demographers, etc. --Choice


One of the best single-volume reference works on British and European surnames and is highly recommended for all types of libraries. --American Reference Books Annual
A Dictionary of Surnames is one of the best of the single-volume reference works on British and European surnames and is highly recomended for all types of libraries. ARBA
As...Hanks and Hodges remark in their prefatory material, 'surnames studies are sadly neglected in most of the countries of Europe; the number of reliable reference works is remarkably small.' Based on well-structured methodology and sound research, The Dictionary of Surnames makes an excellent
contribution toward filling this reference vacuum....Immediately becomes the standard reference source for the information it contains. --Booklist/RRB
An entertaining book and, for genealogists, onomasticians, and historians especially, a useful reference work. --Language
This scholarly work, the most comprehensive surname dictionary to date, will be welcome in most public and academic libraries. --Library Journal
Probably the most inclusive surname dictionary available not limited to the names of a particular country, this would be a welcome addition to academic collections at any level and to public and special libraries serving genealogists, social historians, historical linguists, family historians,
demographers, etc. --Choice

One of the best single-volume reference works on British and European surnames and is highly recommended for all types of libraries. --American Reference Books Annual
A Dictionary of Surnames is one of the best of the single-volume reference works on British and European surnames and is highly recomended for all types of libraries. ARBA
As...Hanks and Hodges remark in their prefatory material, 'surnames studies are sadly neglected in most of the countries of Europe; the number of reliable reference works is remarkably small.' Based on well-structured methodology and sound research, The Dictionary of Surnames makes an excellent contribution toward filling this reference vacuum....Immediately becomes the standard reference source for the information it contains. --Booklist/RRB
An entertaining book and, for genealogists, onomasticians, and historians especially, a useful reference work. --Language
This scholarly work, the most comprehensive surname dictionary to date, will be welcome in most public and academic libraries. --Library Journal
Probably the most inclusive surname dictionary available not limited to the names of a particular country, this would be a welcome addition to academic collections at any level and to public and special libraries serving genealogists, social historians, historical linguists, family historians, demographers, etc. --Choice


One of the best single-volume reference works on British and European surnames and is highly recommended for all types of libraries. --American Reference Books Annual

A Dictionary of Surnames is one of the best of the single-volume reference works on British and European surnames and is highly recomended for all types of libraries. ARBA

As...Hanks and Hodges remark in their prefatory material, 'surnames studies are sadly neglected in most of the countries of Europe; the number of reliable reference works is remarkably small.' Based on well-structured methodology and sound research, The Dictionary of Surnames makes an excellent contribution toward filling this reference vacuum....Immediately becomes the standard reference source for the information it contains. --Booklist/RRB

An entertaining book and, for genealogists, onomasticians, and historians especially, a useful reference work. --Language

This scholarly work, the most comprehensive surname dictionary to date, will be welcome in most public and academic libraries. --Library Journal

Probably the most inclusive surname dictionary available not limited to the names of a particular country, this would be a welcome addition to academic collections at any level and to public and special libraries serving genealogists, social historians, historical linguists, family historians, demographers, etc. --Choice