Timelines:
I highly recommend Timeline Index.  It gives a timeline with links to short, great descriptions.  Go to their main page or visit the European history section directly.

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Surname Origins/Meanings:
The best sites are these:  Behind the Name (for first names, but since many first names derive from last names, it still works), The Internet Surname Database, and House of Names.  If you can't find it there, try doing a search for yourlastname +"surname meaning".