This handy tool, provided by RootsWeb, allows you to find the known variations of any surname. This is most helpful when searching archaic records, which may easily contain spelling variations written intentionally or unintentionally, and often do.
The Soundex Code is a method of connecting name variations and essentially unifying them as if they were the same surname. It is used to index census and other records, but not all search engines use the Soundex system. If, when searching sites for genealogical data, you cannot find a person with the proper spelling, try using variations of the name, instead.
Try it! Enter any surname: (If it doesn't work, try this alternate link)