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.

Surname Saturday – Swayze

Posted on May 26, 2018 by Don Taylor

Darling Line By Don Taylor Name Origin Swayze is a variant of the English name Swasey. The meaning of the name is unknown; however, the Dictionary of American Family Names suggests it possibly is “an Anglicized form of Dutch Swijse(n), … Continue reading →

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Surname Study – Vinson – Halifax County, NC – Part 3

Posted on May 19, 2018 by Don Taylor

Surname Saturday Howell/Vinson By Don Taylor During Part 2 of this study, I examined the Vinson family of Halifax County, North Carolina during the 1860 Census. I determined 3 Vinson lines were of interest. Unknown and Elizabeth Vinson (b. 1784-1785) Robert … Continue reading →

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Surname Study – Vinson – Halifax County, NC – Part 2

Posted on May 5, 2018 by Don Taylor

Surname Saturday Howell/Vinson By Don Taylor During Part 1 of this study, I followed the Vinson family through the 1880 and 1870 Census records. In doing so, I established four Vinson family units in Halifax County during the 1880 Census. … Continue reading →

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Surname Study – Vinson – Halifax County, NC – Part 1

Posted on April 21, 2018 by Don Taylor

Surname Saturday Howell/Vinson By Don Taylor Researching families in pre-Civil War North Carolina is often difficult.  Many records were “lost” and many families used the same first names in families often. I have found one way to make sense of … Continue reading →

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Surname Saturday – Roberts

Posted on March 31, 2018 by Don Taylor

Roberts Surname Saturday Name Origin Roberts and Robertson are patronymic names that come from the first name Robert. The name has Old German origins coming from ‘hroth’ and ‘berht’ which mean “fame” and “bright,” similar to how our word “illustrious” … Continue reading →

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