Is there an extinct or endangered surname project?

Question

I'm sure I'm not the only person to have an extinct surname on my tree. Can we work together on preserving
them, and connecting those of us who have them? Thanks!

Comments

What an interesting idea!

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Thanks for your positive feedback, Emma!
I recently found where Family Tree DNA can create a chromosome map for this idea. I'd love more feedback from others!

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Thinking far down the road....but that sounds like something fascinating to team up with the DNA project for

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According to what I've read, it is already upon us...disappearing surnames.

Answer 1

I can envision addition of a WikiTree tag identifying extinct surnames--which are often names with the most character, and sometimes names most connected to a particular geographic location and people. Sometimes actors and authors adopt a distinctive name, so it's conceivable that some previously extinct surnames might rise up in the future, so perhaps a more accurate identification for names going extinct might be "Endangered Surnames." Apparently, Ancestry.com has a category tracking such things that they call "Surnames at Risk Register."

According to recent news reports, increasing numbers of surnames are going extinct. This is attributed to the common western practice of women adopting their husbands' names.

Here is a link to a recent article reporting ideas and possible solutions toward preserving rare names--such as wives and husbands keeping their own names:

http://observer.com/2017/07/rare-surnames-in-britain/

Comments

Excellent answer! We really do need to attach these ideas
to a project. I think my ancestor's surname of Alderstone, is no longer in use.

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You can tag your question with "Improvements" to make sure the WikiTree improvements team put this one on their wishlist for future projects.  :-)

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Thanks, Cynthia!

Answer 2

An interesting thing to consider.  Is my paternal surname going extinct because among my grandfatherʻs descendants there are only females? Even if the brother of grandfather had sons?  Extinct on my line, or shall we only call extinct if it disappears completely?

Does a name become extinct  because the first identification of it is lost through a long series of mutations? Is it extinct or evolved into a more modern version, or a version the ʻnew countryʻ understood.

Is my husbands surname actually going extinct because our only son adopted his only children (sons) who will carry on the name, but not the blood line?  So does this raise any questions in response to Emma mentioning DNA?

How will we ever know if a surname is extinct until we have everyone on the big tree?

Lots of interesting trails to follow, to many to think about after being awake since 4 a.m.

Comments

Interesting, Kristina. I'm sure there are many different ideas on the how's and whys. My ancestor's surname was Alderstone. Are there any people living today with that surname?

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Looked on 192.com and found 0 Alderstones and 1 female Alderston.

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Thanks for checking, Horace! It is quite likely that Alderston could be a version of Alderstone.