Family name distributions: Master equation approach

TL;DR

This paper investigates the origins of different family name distribution patterns across countries using a population dynamics model, highlighting the role of new family name emergence in shaping these distributions.

Contribution

It introduces an analytical framework linking family name distribution differences to the rate of new family name appearance.

Findings

Power-law family name distributions are common but not universal.

Differences in distributions are closely related to the rate of new family name emergence.

Analytical model explains variations across countries.

Abstract

Although cumulative family name distributions in many countries exhibit power-law forms, there also exist counterexamples. The origin of different family name distributions across countries is discussed analytically in the framework of a population dynamics model. Combined with empirical observations made, it is suggested that those differences in distributions are closely related with the rate of appearance of new family names.