Create a Surname Tree to Organise Your Family History

Managing hundreds of surnames across generations can overwhelm any genealogist. If you’re struggling to keep track of which family names belong where in your history research, a surname tree offers the perfect solution.

A surname tree simplifies your complex family history into a clear visual guide. Unlike traditional family trees that show individuals, surname trees focus on family names and their relationships. This makes them invaluable for research planning, DNA analysis, and sharing family names with others.

I have almost 1800 different surnames in my family tree. I do not know about you, but I find it hard to remember where they all sit.

This post was originally published in December 2021 and last updated on 26June 2025

What Makes Surname Trees Useful

A surname tree shows whether surnames are on your paternal or maternal side, which names married into the family, and how far back you have traced each line. If you add colour coding, you can also show which country ancestors were born in or which relationships have been confirmed with DNA evidence.

Surname trees help when you are:

• Planning your research priorities
• Searching for more information online
• Analysing sources and evidence
• Sharing family history with relatives unfamiliar with your research.

They are particularly useful for introducing family groups in presentations, blog posts or family history books where your audience may not understand how each surname connects.

How to Create Your Surname Tree

A surname tree can be created using the same methods as other family trees, but you need a way to add colour. The examples in this article focus on direct ancestral lines, but you can expand to include collateral lines as well.

PowerPoint: Turn on gridlines and use the built-in layout features to help space out the boxes evenly.

Word: Insert Smart Art and use the Hierarchy models to create a simple tree structure.

Excel: Use existing gridlines, add text and borders, then draw lines between boxes. In this example, I have added shading to illustrate the paternal line in blue and the maternal line in pink.

Family History Software: Generate surname trees by selecting display options that show only surnames without birth, death, and marriage details.

Start Building Your Research Tool

Creating your surname tree takes very little time. Start with your direct ancestral lines for four generations, then expand as your research grows.

Choose your preferred software from the options above and create a basic surname tree. Add colour coding to distinguish paternal and maternal lines, then use it to guide your next research session. You’ll find it becomes an essential reference tool that keeps your genealogy research organised and focused.

For more of my articles about organising your family history, go to the Organise page.

For more of my articles about planning your family history, go to the Plan page.

About the Author

Danielle Lautrec is a genealogy educator, researcher, and author of The Good Genealogist. With qualifications in history, family history, and historical archaeology, she teaches for the Society of Australian Genealogists.