George Black's 'Surnames of Scotland' remains the definitive work on Scottish surnames. With alphabetical listings for over 8000 families, no other book before or after has approached it for range and comprehensiveness.
Cross-referenced, with a lengthy and informative introduction, the book remains an accessible and indispensable tool for genealogists, historians and anyone with a general interest in Scotland.
Example Entry:
CURLE. Perhaps same as English name Curle and Curll, explained as meaning 'curly-headed'. Not likely to be a form of CROALL, q.v. Henry Crole of Stevenston in Conyngham, a Scots prisoner-of-war in Carlisle, 1305 (Bain, II, p. 449). Tomas Kirle, witness in Glasgow, 1500 (LCD., p. 204). James Curle, burgess of Edinburgh, 155763 (Home, 206; RPC., I, p. 252). David Curll or Curlle appears as reidar at Tarbolton, Ayrshire, 1567/1574 (RMR.). Mark Currell in Roxburgh, 1688 (Edin. App.), and Thomas Curle, merchant burgess of Jedburgh, 1748 (Heirs, 219).
Contents:
Preface
Introduction
List of Principal Works Referred to
Abbreviations
The Surnames of Scotland
Amendments and Additions
Glossary of Obsolete Words
Reviews:
Anyone in search of Scottish family history will eventually be asked "Have you consulted Black's Surnames?". George Black presents the derivation, spelling variations (and these can be many), geographical origins and earliest known records for most if not all of the surnames of Scotland in an objective manner. This is not one of the "Have I got a tartan for you!" books, nor is it one of the books claiming sept or clan status for the most unlikely names. Instead, it presents the family historian with an academic but readable background of the highland clans and lowland families which all contribute to Scotland's story. Fascinating. - Reviewer, Amazon.co.uk
