Hi All I am chasing my ancestors into the 17th century in the Elsdon area (millers at Whiskershiel Mill) They appear in the 18th century as Whinney and variants BUT as I go further back in time they become Bewhinney and variants. Has anyone any thoughts on these surnames? Gen in NBL _________________________________________________________________ View your Twitter and Flickr updates from one place – Learn more! http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/137984870/direct/01/

From: gen listlass <[email protected]> > I am chasing my ancestors into the 17th century in the Elsdon area > (millers at Whiskershiel Mill) > They appear in the 18th century as Whinney and variants BUT as I go > further back in time they become Bewhinney and variants. > > Has anyone any thoughts on these surnames? > Not quite clear what you mean by "any thoughts" but if you are wanting to know what the name and its variants derives from, then why don't you pop into your local library and look at one of the several reference books on the subject? A popular and well-known one is "A Dictionary of English Surnames" by Reaney and Wilson and another is the Oxford Dictionary of Surnames by Hanks and Hodges. Alternatively, there are numerous websites on the Internet and if you simply enter "meaning of surname Whinney" into Google you will find them. There is also a one-name study of the name, which can be found at the Guild of One-Name Studies' website, www.one-name.org. You can then contact the person who runs it by going to the online Register. The origin of the name is given there. I could tell you what the name means but I am a great believer in people doing their own research! I am, however, happy to tell you HOW to find out what you want to know. -- Roy Stockdill Professional genealogical researcher, writer & lecturer Newbies' Guide to Genealogy & Family History: www.genuki.org.uk/gs/Newbie.html "There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about." OSCAR WILDE