You probably have at least a general idea of where your family's roots lie, but sometimes your family's nationality comes as a surprise. Your last name offers a valuable clue. Take a deep dive into your family's heritage using your last name to learn more about who you are and where you're from. Here's how.
Look in Online Databases
The internet is a great resource for name origins, especially if you use more than one source to conduct your search. There are several great databases with origins and surname meanings.
The Internet Surname Database
The Internet Surname Database contains almost 50,000 last names originating all over the world. Searching is easy; just type your name into the search field. You can also browse the names alphabetically. Searching is free.
Behind the Name
Behind the Name is another huge free database. This resource covers a number of different nationalities, including English, Irish, Jewish, Chinese, and German names. You can search by typing in your name, or you can browse by first letter or nationality.
Ancestor Search
Ancestor Search allows you to conduct a free search at this site, using the Last Name Dictionary. There are hundreds of entries for many nationalities, and you can search by name or browse. You can also use Soundex to find alternate spellings of your name.
How to Find the Nationality of Your Surname
While online databases are certainly useful in genealogical research, there are other methods to try that might yield more accurate results — especially for a name whose origins are widespread. Try these methods, too.
Identify What You Know
The first step in establishing the roots of a family name is making a list of what you already know. It's okay if you don't know anything about the name, but any clues you already have will make your search easier. Ask yourself the following questions before you begin your research.
- Are there any family stories about the origin of the name?
- Has the name been changed over the years to reflect a different ethnicity?
- Do genealogy records show different spellings for the surname, or do other branches of the family spell it differently?
- What is the oldest record you have that reflects this surname?
Check Immigration Records
If you know when your ancestors immigrated to the New World, you can check immigration records for information about their home country. To search effectively, you'll need to know the port where your family entered the country and the year in which they came. Records from Castle Garden and Ellis Island are especially helpful if your family emigrated in the late 19th or early 20th centuries.
If your family came over before that, or if you want to find more information, you can also check ship passenger lists for your family members. These lists frequently included information about the passengers' last known residence or general nationality.
Search Census Records
Census records are another great resource. On most census forms, the census taker had to fill out the place of birth. For first-generation immigrants, this was their birth country, which will often correspond to their surname's nationality. Some census years also ask about native language, which gives you an even more reliable indicator of nationality.
Consider a DNA Test
These days, you can take your research to the next level using genetic genealogy. DNA testing can offer clues about the origin of your surname by matching you up with other people who have the same DNA sequence and are related to you within a few generations. By comparing your tree to the family trees of other matches, you can find common ancestors with established home countries. This type of research requires some investment of time and money, but it's a very effective way to establish the nationality of your surname.
Look for Clues in the Name
Prefixes, suffixes, and other spelling clues in the name can reveal the nationality of a surname. For example, Italian names are unique in that they typically end with a vowel sound. Studying these indicators is another way to find out where your surname comes from.
Additional Perspective on Your Last Name
Uncovering your family history is fascinating, and your last name provides context clues that offer insight not only into your family's nationality but, in some cases, also into the types of work your ancestors did. So start with your surname and take a deep dive into your family's past.
