Names, variants and places of origin

A surname does not establish geographical origin or kinship. Its spelling can change with the clerk, language and period.

The method, step by step

1. Keep a search reference form and every documented variant with its source. Try accents, particles, compound names and letter substitutions.
2. Check local naming conventions: name order, birth names and names in use. Do not apply one country’s conventions everywhere.
3. Identify places through historical variants and jurisdictions. Localities sharing a name may use different repositories; compare parish and region where recorded.
4. Test each spelling with a place and date range. A surname frequency map describes distribution, not a common ancestor.