Category Archives: Surname Saturday

I write about one of the surnames in either mine or my wife’s tree. It is fun to learn the meanings of the names, where they came to America, and what the known descendants of that ancestor are today.

Warren – Surname Saturday

Posted on February 28, 2026 by Don Taylor

My recent discovery that I likely descend from Richard Warren of the Mayflower opened an entirely new ancestral pathway. The Warren surname, of Norman-English origin, traces through Plymouth Colony and back into medieval England, with a purported connection to Charlemagne. This Surname Saturday explores the name’s origin, geographical distribution, and my documented Warren lineage from Mary (Warren) Bartlett to earlier de Warren ancestors. Continue reading →

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Taylor – Surname Saturday

Posted on December 13, 2025 by Don Taylor

The Taylor surname traces an occupational origin rooted in England and extends through multiple generations of my family from 17th-century New England to 19th-century Michigan. This article examines three documented Taylor ancestors—John Taylor, Rhoda Taylor, and Fanny Taylor—highlighting their place in early colonial settlement, frontier warfare, Atlantic migration, and American industrial expansion. Continue reading →

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The Heer Surname: Origins & Ancestors

Posted on July 30, 2025 by Don Taylor

This post explores the origin and meaning of the Heer surname, once a noble title in Switzerland, and follows its lineage through eight generations in Canton Glarus. From Sarah Heer to Florence Wilma Huber Darling, it traces the family’s deep Swiss roots and highlights modern surname distribution and descendant statistics. Continue reading →

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The Brewer Surname: Origins, Ancestors & Legacy

Posted on May 10, 2025 by Don Taylor

Discovering Brewer Roots 🧬🍺

From 17th-century Wales to colonial Maryland and colonial Virginia, my wife’s Brewer ancestors left a remarkable legacy. The surname “Brewer” comes from the Old English brēowan — to brew — and today over 160,000 people share this historic name. Her earliest known Brewer, John Brewer (1620–1664), helped lay the foundation for generations that followed. Continue reading →

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Rowley – Surname Saturday

Posted on February 22, 2025 by Don Taylor

I examine the surname, Rowley. Continue reading →

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