Surname Distribution Maps

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]] Sometimes it is possible to guess where a surname originated through surname distribution maps. These maps graphically display locations where surnames occurred at different periods in time. This strategy provides genealogists with a starting point for research in the birth country, when that information cannot be discovered through sources recorded in the new country of settlement. It works particularly well for less-common surnames and among families that have stayed in the same European locations for centuries.

Online Surname Distribution Maps

Country	Website
World (227 countries)	http://www.forebears.co.uk/surnames
World (26 countries)	http://worldnames.publicprofiler.org/
Argentina	http://www.miparentela.com/mapas-ar/
Austria	http://christoph.stoepel.net/geogen/en/Default.aspx
Belgium	http://www.familienaam.be/
Canada	http://lastnames.myheritage.com/last-names/
Czech Republic	http://www.kdejsme.cz/
England	http://www.ancestry.com/learn/facts/default.aspx
England	http://gbnames.publicprofiler.org/
England ($)	http://www.rootsuk.com/
France	http://www.geopatronyme.com/
France	http://www.genealogie.com/nom-de-famille/
France	http://www.familleunie.fr/cartes
Germany	http://christoph.stoepel.net/geogen/en/Default.aspx
Germany	http://www.verwandt.de/karten/
Germany	http://www.gen-evolu.de/
Ireland	http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/
Italy	http://gens.labo.net/en/cognomi/genera.html
Netherlands	http://www.verwandt.de/karten/
Netherlands	http://www.meertens.knaw.nl/nfb/index.php?taal=eng
Poland	http://www.moikrewni.pl/mapa/
Spain	https://idapadron.ine.es/
Spain	http://www.miparentela.com/Start.action
Spain	http://www.ine.es/daco/daco42/nombyapel/nombyapel.htm?L=0
Switzerland	http://www.verwandt.ch/Start.action
United Kingdom	http://lastnames.myheritage.com/last-names/
United States	http://www.ancestry.com/learn/facts/default.aspx
United States	http://lastnames.myheritage.com/last-names/
Wales	http://www.ancestry.com/learn/facts/default.aspx
Wales	http://gbnames.publicprofiler.org/
Wales	http://www.rootsuk.com/

External links

• Geogenealogy surname mapping website
• Stephen Archer's Surname Atlas CD for detailed mapping of British surnames in the 1881 census

References

1. Eastman, Dick. "New Web Site Maps Surnames Worldwide," Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter, September 1, 2008. Available online.

2. "Familienname," Wikipedia. Available online.

3. Meitzler, Leland. "Surname Distribution Maps for the USA, Canada, Spain, France, Germany, Austria & Switzerland on dynastree.com," Genealogy Blog. Available online.

4. Meitzler, Leland. "Surname Distribution Maps For Argentina, the Netherlands & the United Kingdom Are Online," Genealogy Blog. Available online.

5. Murphy, Nathan W. "Localize Your Surname with Distribution Maps," Price and Associates Genealogical Services. Available online.

6. "Surname map," Wikipedia. Available online.

7. "Surname Mapping," ISOGG Wiki. Available online.