Surnames and Genetic Structure

This book presents a lucid description and evaluation of these studies of the genetic structure of human populations.

Gabriel Ward Lasker (Author)

9780521057639, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 28 January 2008

160 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 1 cm, 0.27 kg

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.

Subject Areas: Human biology [PSX]