This fascinating book explores the history and meaning of surnames, from their origins in medieval Europe to the present day. It examines the different naming conventions used in different cultures and societies, and provides insight into the changing patterns of surname use over time. Whether you are interested in genealogy, linguistics, or cultural history, this book is essential reading. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.