Matrix Methods for the Analysis of Isonymous and Nonisonymous Surname Pairs

Document Type

Article

Authors

Eric J. Devor, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas and Washington University School of Medicine and Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO

Abstract

A method of analyzing the details of the marital structure of a population on the basis of the surnames of marriage partners is discussed. The method, which utilizes several variations of a surname-pair matrix approach, is shown to reveal detail not available to the traditional method of isonymy. The method is applied, in conjunction with traditional isonymy and with marital distance and orientation analyses, to the rural Hispanic isolate of Abiquiu in northern New Mexico. Results indicate that the area has, until the past few decades, been extremely isolated. Since the 1940’s, however, this isolation has begun to break down due to economic stress. The surname matrices indicate that the breakdown has been more extensive than was previously suggested by the results of traditional isonymy and marital distance studies alone.

Recommended Citation

Devor, Eric J. (1983) "Matrix Methods for the Analysis of Isonymous and Nonisonymous Surname Pairs," Human Biology: Vol. 55: Iss. 2, Article 11.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol55/iss2/11