Filed under: Genealogy, Hints and Tips | Tags: Scottish naming patterns, traditional naming patterns
The use of traditional naming patterns gradually declined during the 19th century. Not everybody followed the pattern anyway but it’s surprising how often you come across it:
The first son was named after the father’s father.
The second son was named after the mother’s father.
The third son was named after the father’s father’s father.
The fourth son was named after the mother’s mother’s father.
The fifth son was named after the father’s mother’s father.
The sixth son was named after the mother’s father’s father.
The first daughter was named after the mother’s mother.
The second daughter was named after the father’s mother.
The third daughter was named after the mother’s father’s mother.
The fourth daughter was named after the father’s father’s mother.
The fifth daughter was named after the mother’s mother’s mother.
The sixth daughter was named after the father’s mother’s mother.
If a child died in infancy, his or her name was frequently given to a subsequent child.
It was also common to give sons and daughters a middle name denoting the maiden surname of the mother.
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Everytime I try to see a naming pattern, I find exceptions. I guess my ancestors didn’t want to fit in the box.
Comment by Theresa Casteel December 20, 2012 @ 8:29 pmRegards,
Theresa (tangled trees)