Surnames

smiddykilry · Post by **smiddykilry** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 5:56 pm

Hello
Just had a look at this site

http://www.spatial-literacy.org/UCLnames/Surnames.aspx

smid

pinkshoes · Post by **pinkshoes** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 6:22 pm

Hello Smid - had a look, but have to say I'm a bit confused (nowt new there).

I entered one of my names, and for 1881 plenty came up in England, none in Scotland. 1998 gave a pocket of them in only one area in Scotland.

I have British surnames atlas on Cd based on 1881 census which shows different results - have they just ignored Scotland do you think?

Not knocking the site, just questioning my understanding of it.

Regards
Pinkshoes

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 6:31 pm

Hi Smid and pinkshoes
I've had a look at it too. The buttons seem to be the wrong way round - the 1881 choice returns 1998 and vice versa. Also I'm not sure how they have decided which names they are using (this may be explained somewhere on the site - I've not read it yet! Just dived in....) but several of the more unusual names are not showing at all - no Goalens, no Crouts, no McCunns.

Best wishes
Lesley

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 6:34 pm

Duh - I should have read the blinkin' info:

To qualify for inclusion in this list there must have been at least one hundred entries under that family name in the Great Britain electoral register for 1996.

Hmm.

pinkshoes · Post by **pinkshoes** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 6:36 pm

Lesley - didn't notice that

Still none of my name in 1998 in Scotland though - wonder where they were all phoning me from

Maybe needs a bit more exploring. If the CD I mentioned would be helpful to you (or anyone) let me know - it shows how many of that surname (e.g. 1-10; 10 - 100 etc) by county so useful to see where they most like were at the time (or rule out where they're not). I'll stop now as this doesn't make much sense, but the offer of a lookup is there.

BW
Pinkshoes

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 6:48 pm

Worth knowing about is this site which, if you have the 1881 census disks, will, as far as I remember, (it's a while since I used it!) let you generate (for free!) a surname distribution map for any name - even those unusual ones!!!

http://www.wykes.org/ukdist/

Best wishes
Lesley

smiddykilry · Post by **smiddykilry** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 11:19 pm

Hi All
Yes its a new site

and more data to be uploaded soon

smid

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 12:14 am

Hi Smid
It certainly looks promising - it does seem to be in its early days, as you say. Not really fair to judge it until they are properly up and running. One to watch...

Best wishes
Lesley

Davie · Post by **Davie** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 6:52 pm

Maybe needs a bit more exploring. If the CD I mentioned would be helpful to you (or anyone) let me know - it shows how many of that surname (e.g. 1-10; 10 - 100 etc) by county so useful to see where they most like were at the time (or rule out where they're not). I'll stop now as this doesn't make much sense, but the offer of a lookup is there.

I for one would be interested in the Cd, or where to get a copy.
Every site helps.
The site came up with most McNaughton's living in Perthshire.
But it would be appreciated Pinkshoes to see what yer wee CD comes up with on my surname.
McNaughtan
Thanks
Davie

pinkshoes · Post by **pinkshoes** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 7:54 pm

Hello Davie

My "wee CD"

also comes up with McNaughton's abounding in Perthshire. There are 2370 of them in Britain in 1881. McNaughtan's were less prolific - 87 of them, with only 1 soul in England - Middlesex. I can let you have tables and fancy maps if you pm me.

Best wishes
Pinkshoes