This is a fascinating read of investigating surname distribution in England from 1086. The author took a sample of 100 surnames, some of them fairly common and followed the migration of people through the centuries.

Also covered is how surnames started, typically as the name of a place, a nickname, a christian name or as an occupational name.

This book is one of my favourites and is good foundation reading for the Pharos Introduction course in One-Name Studies and the Advanced Course in One-Name Studies