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Archiver > GENEALOGY-DNA > 2005-08 > 1122915860


From: (John Chandler)
Subject: Re: [DNA] German Surname?
Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2005 13:04:20 -0400 (EDT)
References: <000e01c596a6$26699b80$71509045@Ken1>
In-Reply-To: <000e01c596a6$26699b80$71509045@Ken1> (knordtvedt@bresnan.net)


Ken wrote:
> I have a pedigree for haplotypes with surname "Wilde" and origins in
> England. Is such a surname with "e" at end really English, or is it
> a German transplant? When do the English keep a final silent "e"
> and when is it dropped?

English spelling is highly idiosyncratic and time-varying. Final E is
dependant on many things, including whim. I wouldn't try to base any
analysis on the exact spelling of an English name, except insofar as
it might hint at an unusual pronunciation.

John Chandler

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