Comments on: London mapped by common surnames http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 25 May 2013 16:02:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: onepieceman http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1529500 onepieceman Tue, 11 Sep 2012 08:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1529500 Fantastic image, but I agree the BNP might find it useful. Fantastic image, but I agree the BNP might find it useful.

]]> By: John Vance http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1529268 John Vance Mon, 10 Sep 2012 22:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1529268 Only the Patel Army can take on the Smiths! Only the Patel Army can take on the Smiths!

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1529094 Antinous / Moderator Mon, 10 Sep 2012 19:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1529094 The definition seems to be something like village headman. The definition seems to be something like village headman.

]]> By: Luke Temple Walsh http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528987 Luke Temple Walsh Mon, 10 Sep 2012 18:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528987 The map is one of the more interesting posts on Boing Boing in recent weeks. However, it is not something that could be referred to as thoroughgoing. As for instance in the case of Kelly and Walsh (of course I had to look for it) which are listed as English names in light blue, when obviously they will previously have been of Irish lineages, the map doesn't accurately reflect which generation of a family name is present, nor which of those are taken names, married or unmarried names, or which of the names are a result of naturalization, change of nationality etc., etc. A time/generationally/diaspora layered map of the same nature might be interesting. One of my worries with this map is it might feed into the worst kind of "nationalist" paranoid prejudices (I'm picturing a slide show, I don't know why a slide show, but a slide show in a BNP lobby hall) but then, with that kind of mentality, any statistic that can be used to reinforce a distorted projection onto the world, will be.  This is more digital art than science I think. Art and roughly estimated statistics, and I want to see more of them now. The map is one of the more interesting posts on Boing Boing in recent weeks. However, it is not something that could be referred to as thoroughgoing. As for instance in the case of Kelly and Walsh (of course I had to look for it) which are listed as English names in light blue, when obviously they will previously have been of Irish lineages, the map doesn’t accurately reflect which generation of a family name is present, nor which of those are taken names, married or unmarried names, or which of the names are a result of naturalization, change of nationality etc., etc. A time/generationally/diaspora layered map of the same nature might be interesting. One of my worries with this map is it might feed into the worst kind of “nationalist” paranoid prejudices (I’m picturing a slide show, I don’t know why a slide show, but a slide show in a BNP lobby hall) but then, with that kind of mentality, any statistic that can be used to reinforce a distorted projection onto the world, will be.  This is more digital art than science I think. Art and roughly estimated statistics, and I want to see more of them now.

]]> By: Wreckrob8 http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528944 Wreckrob8 Mon, 10 Sep 2012 17:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528944 Even in Europe surnames/family names have different forms and functions in many countries. The UK, Spain, Iceland and Russia all have different conventions. Even in Europe surnames/family names have different forms and functions in many countries. The UK, Spain, Iceland and Russia all have different conventions.

]]> By: Shashwath T.R. http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528856 Shashwath T.R. Mon, 10 Sep 2012 15:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528856 Just the girls, I'd expect? Surname in the sense of "last name", probably OK. But surname in the sense of "family name" would be a massive stretch for the sole purpose of shoehorning non-Western naming conventions into a Western system... I guess it just bugs me; you can probably make out from my name that I'm handicapped in this, without a formal surname! Just the girls, I’d expect?

Surname in the sense of “last name”, probably OK. But surname in the sense of “family name” would be a massive stretch for the sole purpose of shoehorning non-Western naming conventions into a Western system…

I guess it just bugs me; you can probably make out from my name that I’m handicapped in this, without a formal surname!

]]> By: blair ellis http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528853 blair ellis Mon, 10 Sep 2012 15:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528853 Pacino rants about the Patel's... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNQ_G5uKd18 Pacino rants about the Patel’s…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNQ_G5uKd18

]]> By: Boundegar http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528772 Boundegar Mon, 10 Sep 2012 14:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528772 I seem to recall Patel was also a title.  Or is my colostomy bag depolarized? I seem to recall Patel was also a title.  Or is my colostomy bag depolarized?

]]> By: Boundegar http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528771 Boundegar Mon, 10 Sep 2012 14:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528771 "Nation of immigrants."  Is that what the Romans, Vikings and French were?  Immigrants?  XD “Nation of immigrants.”  Is that what the Romans, Vikings and French were?  Immigrants?  XD

]]> By: Jayajit Dash http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528719 Jayajit Dash Mon, 10 Sep 2012 12:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528719 Totally agree. Totally agree.

]]> By: Jayajit Dash http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528718 Jayajit Dash Mon, 10 Sep 2012 12:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528718 As many have commented, this does make it look like an immigrant-siege situation. I think its impossible that all ethnicities will have the same dispersion of names (and surnames). Those that have low dispersion will get projected more (as I feel is the case here).Then there is also the case about the use of salutary addresses being mistaken as surnames... As many have commented, this does make it look like an immigrant-siege situation.
I think its impossible that all ethnicities will have the same dispersion of names (and surnames). Those that have low dispersion will get projected more (as I feel is the case here).Then there is also the case about the use of salutary addresses being mistaken as surnames…

]]> By: Alan Goulding http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528716 Alan Goulding Mon, 10 Sep 2012 12:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528716 Which raises the interesting question: do the first people to arrive at a particular place count as immigrants?  The story about the very ancient homo sapiens remains in the US is fascinating IMO. In the case of Britain, I gather there were repeated colonisations during the last few interglacials but the people all left or died when the ice came south again.  Which raises the interesting question: do the first people to arrive at a particular place count as immigrants? 
The story about the very ancient homo sapiens remains in the US is fascinating IMO.
In the case of Britain, I gather there were repeated colonisations during the last few interglacials but the people all left or died when the ice came south again. 

]]> By: Jessica Francis http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528715 Jessica Francis Mon, 10 Sep 2012 11:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528715 I just discovered the Begum not a surname thing tonight, but loads of the kids I used to teach in Queen's Park had it as a surname, so I guess that counts. I just discovered the Begum not a surname thing tonight, but loads of the kids I used to teach in Queen’s Park had it as a surname, so I guess that counts.

]]> By: Svejk http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528711 Svejk Mon, 10 Sep 2012 10:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528711 Cooper is 15th? I demand a recount. Cooper is 15th? I demand a recount.

]]> By: Wreckrob8 http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528712 Wreckrob8 Mon, 10 Sep 2012 10:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528712 Don't forget Psmith. Don’t forget Psmith.

]]> By: Just_Ok http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528705 Just_Ok Mon, 10 Sep 2012 10:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528705 It was probably on a Tuesday. Things like that always happen on a Tuesday. It was probably on a Tuesday. Things like that always happen on a Tuesday.

]]> By: chris coreline http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528703 chris coreline Mon, 10 Sep 2012 10:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528703  dammit universe. why must you use whimsey for evil D:  dammit universe. why must you use whimsey for evil D:

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528698 Antinous / Moderator Mon, 10 Sep 2012 10:12:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528698 Depending on whom you believe, Homo sapiens may have reached the Americas before they reached Britain. Depending on whom you believe, Homo sapiens may have reached the Americas before they reached Britain.

]]> By: Alan Goulding http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528686 Alan Goulding Mon, 10 Sep 2012 08:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528686 I think you'll find the UK was a nation of immigrants long before the US - the Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Normans, Dalriada Scots and Vikings for a kick-off. I think you’ll find the UK was a nation of immigrants long before the US – the Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Normans, Dalriada Scots and Vikings for a kick-off.

]]> By: Michael Smith http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528684 Michael Smith Mon, 10 Sep 2012 08:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528684 Glad to see the Smiths hanging on there. Glad to see the Smiths hanging on there.

]]> By: Wreckrob8 http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528685 Wreckrob8 Mon, 10 Sep 2012 08:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528685 Maybe not. There are stories that when the British (English?) insisted that everyone in Wales take a surname for identification purposes whole villages would adopt the same name simply to confound the authorities. Maybe not. There are stories that when the British (English?) insisted that everyone in Wales take a surname for identification purposes whole villages would adopt the same name simply to confound the authorities.

]]> By: Alan Goulding http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528681 Alan Goulding Mon, 10 Sep 2012 08:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528681 "Unmarried women may take an honorific title as a surname – Begum, meaning ‘lady’, is common among Pakistani and Bangladeshi women for example. " http://guide.muslimsinbritain.org/guide10.html So it isn't exactly a surname as such. “Unmarried women may take an honorific title as a surname – Begum, meaning ‘lady’, is common among Pakistani and Bangladeshi women for example. ”

http://guide.muslimsinbritain.org/guide10.html

So it isn’t exactly a surname as such.

]]> By: Roger Strong http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528652 Roger Strong Mon, 10 Sep 2012 07:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528652 This was in an article linked from here a month or so back. Banks can use this sort of information to decide where to extend credit.  Because deciding based on areas of the city is legal, unlike deciding based on race. This was in an article linked from here a month or so back.

Banks can use this sort of information to decide where to extend credit.  Because deciding based on areas of the city is legal, unlike deciding based on race.

]]> By: MobOne http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528651 MobOne Mon, 10 Sep 2012 06:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528651 That's a hell lot of agents, the end of the matrix is near Mr. Anderson.... That’s a hell lot of agents, the end of the matrix is near Mr. Anderson….

]]> By: grimc http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528637 grimc Mon, 10 Sep 2012 06:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528637 Words are also worked like metal... Words are also worked like metal…

]]> By: spejic http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528632 spejic Mon, 10 Sep 2012 05:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528632 <blockquote>most everyone of Middle-eastern and Indian extraction was a local leader</blockquote> It's good to be the king.

most everyone of Middle-eastern and Indian extraction was a local leader

It’s good to be the king.

]]> By: zefuture http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528631 zefuture Mon, 10 Sep 2012 05:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528631 The division of Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi surnames is quite arbitrary, since a lot of those surnames are just subcontinental Muslim surnames. The division of Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi surnames is quite arbitrary, since a lot of those surnames are just subcontinental Muslim surnames.

]]> By: niktemadur http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528629 niktemadur Mon, 10 Sep 2012 05:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528629 Hopefully this will shed new light on the old debate:  Did the inhabitants of Hounslow make the great trek north to Surbiton, or was it the other way around? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgHsCyWkB5g Hopefully this will shed new light on the old debate:  Did the inhabitants of Hounslow make the great trek north to Surbiton, or was it the other way around?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgHsCyWkB5g

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528608 Antinous / Moderator Mon, 10 Sep 2012 04:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528608 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begum http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begum

]]> By: Shashwath T.R. http://boingboing.net/2012/09/09/london-mapped-by-common-surnam.html#comment-1528591 Shashwath T.R. Mon, 10 Sep 2012 02:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=180093#comment-1528591 OK, when the **** did Begum become a surname? OK, when the **** did Begum become a surname?

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