IPSWICH THINGS TO DO

History of Surnames by Charlie Haylock

University of Suffolk, Ipswich

Information - History of Surnames by Charlie Haylock

In History of Surnames, Charlie will begin by exploring how and why surnames were introduced by the Normans, how they evolved after the Domesday Book of 1086AD, and the disruption their introduction caused for the English. He will then guide us through the different types of surnames, providing insight into their origins, meanings, and derivations. The session will conclude with a Q&A session.

Note: This talk focuses on the history of surnames – not on family backgrounds – highlighting their fascinating and original meanings.

Biography

Charlie Haylock is a Suffolk-born author and historian of Spoken English. His works include In a Manner of Speaking, a detailed exploration of how the English language has evolved over time, and the bestselling Slightly on th’ Huh, which examines the unique expressions and history of the Suffolk dialect.

Charlie is known locally for his long-running role as a cartoonist for the East Anglian Daily Times and for his regular spot on BBC Radio Suffolk with Lesley Dolphin. His broader body of work includes providing dialect coaching for both film and theatre, assisting actors such as Ralph Fiennes and Monica Dolan in mastering their accents for the acclaimed Netflix film The Dig.

In October 2023, Charlie was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Suffolk in recognition of his extensive work on spoken English.