English Surnames: Their Sources and Significations

The work delves into the often‑overlooked world of English surnames, tracing how they grew from personal nicknames, patronymic forms and occupational tags into the family names we use today. By reorganising chapters on patronymics and nicknames, the author reveals clear relationships between names that once seemed unrelated, and highlights the lasting imprint of the Norman conquest on our nomenclature. Readers are treated to a lively discussion of why certain medieval forms vanished while others survived and evolved.

Packed with vivid examples—from Elliot and Marriott to the many –ot and –et endings that link medieval William to modern Wilmott—the book shows how language, law and social custom shaped each name. Listeners will find the material both scholarly and accessible, gaining fresh insight into the stories hidden behind their own surnames. It’s an invitation to explore the rich tapestry of England’s linguistic past without needing any prior expertise.