Grundlegendes zur Erforschung spätmittelalterlichfrühneuzeitlicher Rufnamen in ihrer Beziehung zu heutigen Familiennamen unter arealem Aspekt

Abstract

The article reviews vol. 6 of the significant Deutscher Familiennamenatlas (Atlas of German Surnames) by Kathrin Dräger. The book is considered to be an essential work on today’s patronymic surnames. By disclosing their structure and geographic distribution the author simultaneously takes an innovative approach to the occurence of the underlying first names in the (late) Middle Ages. Furthermore, the article emphasizes that the complete atlas as it now stands is not only a milestone in anthroponomastics but also a prime example of scientific organization and the sustainable promotion of junior scientists.