Surnames and Genetic Structure [Paperback]

This book presents a lucid description and evaluation of these studies of the genetic structure of human populations.The first comprehensive national survey of the historical spread and geographical distribution of the commoner surnames in Great Britain. Illuminates the trends of migration and the genetic structure of the British population by examining patterns of human in-breeding and movement. Includes over one hundred maps showing surnames comprising over 20 of the population.The first comprehensive national survey of the historical spread and geographical distribution of the commoner surnames in Great Britain. Illuminates the trends of migration and the genetic structure of the British population by examining patterns of human in-breeding and movement. Includes over one hundred maps showing surnames comprising over 20 of the population.Surnames are inherited in much the same way as are biological traits. Since surnames were generally adopted - in Europe during Medieval times - their distribution has become very uneven: analysis of the present geographic patterns provides an insight into the kind of redistribution of genes that has resulted from all the migrations of the intervening years. Using non-technical language and a minimum of mathematics, this book presents a lucid description and evaluation of these studies of the genetic structure of human populations. A special feature is the appendix which presents computer-generated maps and distribution diagrams of 100 common surnames in England and Wales.Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. History of surname studies in human biology; 3. Sources of data; 4. Methods; 5. Isolates and inbreeding; 6. Island versus distance models: the Far East and Oceania; 7. The Americas and continental Europe; 8. Scotland and Ireland; 9. Regions of England; 10. English cities and the general population of England and Wales; 11. Specific surnames in Great Britain; 12. Human population structure; Appendix; Glossary; Index.