Ernest Weekley’s The Romance of Names is a delightful exploration of the origins and meanings of English surnames, many of which took shape in the Middle Ages. Weekley, a noted etymologist, traces how family names arose from occupations, places, nicknames, and the names of medieval ancestors, revealing the social history hidden in the names people bear. The book is full of surprising and entertaining discoveries about the language of names.
Showing how the surnames of today preserve the trades, dwellings, and characters of medieval England and beyond, Weekley combines linguistic learning with wit and a love of curious detail. The result is both informative and highly readable. Readers interested in language, genealogy, or medieval social history will find it fascinating. This free EPUB edition makes available a classic and engaging study of the romance behind English names and their often medieval origins.