Preferential associations between the specifics and the generics, if shown to be significant in a well-defined geographical region, may also differentiate contemporary or historically separate linguistic groups. More complex relationships between the lexical content of each category of specifics and generics may also exist.

To examine this we need a dictionary of words used as specifics and generics. To be useful it should be restricted to a well defined 'time slice'. Names known to have been extant before the Saxon settlements are to be excluded as are names known to have been given after the Old English period.

The practice of using habitation rather than natural feature generics may separate contemporary or non-contemporary differences in naming practice, or settlement patterns. If we can show that these differences are contemporary, then they may reflect differences in the land settled or differences in naming habits. If the latter, this may point to different social or linguistic groupings.

If not contemporary, they may originate in different settlement patterns. In addition, we must consider the possibility of a change in naming habits due to the evolution of the naming practice of the population in situ or the arrival of groups with different naming habits.

Rules for name forming
Applying rules to name structures
Specific name elements
Generic name elements
Attributes-in use
Attributes-distribution
Attributes-frequencies
Statistical analysis