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From: "Pat Carson" <>
Subject: [ABERDEEN] The origins of surnames
Date: Thu, 7 May 2009 19:52:07 +0100


I was browsing for surname information and on a discussion board, along with
all the usual (mainly erroneous) explanations and misconceptions, came
across this response:

I might add one of the biggest mistakes a person can make when starting
their family history is to get overly involved in their name. Your surname
is a very tiny part of your ancestry. The number of people you descend from
pyramids as you go back. Get back to your 6xGreat Grandparents, barring any
duplicates, you are directly descended from 510 individuals. Of those 510
individuals only 8 of them will probably have your surname. Now, it is
possible for one of your other ancestors to have married someone with the
same surname whether in the family or not, but without any duplicates 502
will not have your surname.

Get back to your 7xgreat grandparents you come out of 1012 individuals (that
is 10 generations including yourself). Again barring any duplicates only 9
will have your surname leaving out 1003 people.

Kiddo you have a lot of kin.

Sort of puts it in perspective!



Pat Carson



Researching

ADAMSON, STIRLING, KINNEAR in Forfar & Dundee

KEY, FORD in Coastal Angus & Dundee

NEAVE in Haddington & Forfar

MILLER in Dundee

CONWAY in Ireland, Ayrshire & Dundee

FISHER in Ayrshire & Dundee

NICOLSON in Speyside, Aberdeen & Dundee

REILLY in Ireland & Dundee





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