How much do you know about your name, first or last? The Family History Guide has a wealth of information that can help you understand the origins and meanings of names, whether for you or for your ancestors. Here’s a quick list of resources and links found in The Family History Guide that can help you get started with understanding the names that are important to you:

• FamilySearch Surname Origin –  https://www.familysearch.org/en/surname  Type a surname and click Find Now to see the meaning of the name, where in the world it’s most commonly found, and links to stories and records featuring that surname.
• Linkpendium Surname Search – https://linkpendium.com/  Check out the right panel for “Jump to a surname” and then type the name and click Go. This points you to a wide variety of records for the surname, including cemeteries, census, family trees, and group sheets.
• Project 4: Discover, Goal 3 – https://www.thefhguide.com/project-4-discover03.html#e  Choice E in Goal 4 connects you with helpful articles and videos that explore the use and meanings of first names and surnames in your genealogy research.
• Surname Distribution Maps – Many country pages have a Choice in Goal 1 that provides a link to a surname distribution map, which shows where surnames are concentrated in the country. Example for Belgium – https://www.familienaam.be/  (try using the Bol surname).

In countries that have names based on patronymics (derived from a father’s first name) or where multiple surnames are often used, such tracing surnames can be less useful or more complicated.  Still, the study of names can provide genealogy clues, context, and interesting backgrounds.