?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rft.title=Surname+studies+with+genetics&rft.creator=Plant%2C+Dr+John+S&rft.subject=Semantics&rft.description=Genetic+studies+of+surnames+are+briefly+reviewed.+In+particular%2C+such+DNA+studies+can+sometimes+provide+clues+to+a+surname's+meaning.+A+few+surnames+are+being+found+to+include+unusually+large+single+families%2C+which+are+far+more+populous+than+computer+simulations+for+monogamous+families+predict%2C+suggesting+that+they+might+best+be+explained+by+their+getting+off+to+a+fast+start+through+polygyny+or+concubines%3A+Brehon+Law+in+Ireland+and+medieval+Welsh+Law+were+relatively+accepting+of+polygyny.+The+Plant+surname+in+the+Welsh+Marches+largely+comprises+an+abnormally+large+single+family+and+this+favours+the+Welsh+meaning+'%5Bmany%5D+children'%2C+though+various+other+meanings+for+this+surname+have+been+suggested.+The+surnames+Meates%2C+Meats%2C+Mates%2C+Mate+and+Myatt+in+north+Staffordshire+and+Ireland+belong+to+a+single+family+and+appear+to+have+derived+from+the+female+forename+Maiot.&rft.date=2009-07-23&rft.type=Other&rft.type=PeerReviewed&rft.format=application%2Fpdf&rft.identifier=http%3A%2F%2Fcogprints.org%2F6595%2F1%2Fgen_cogprints_11Aug09.pdf&rft.identifier=++Plant%2C+Dr+John+S++(2009)+Surname+studies+with+genetics.++++++&rft.relation=http%3A%2F%2Fcogprints.org%2F6595%2F