To My Surname Files List!
Note: This page will be for bits of information that I have recieved from various researchers or in various books that I feel may be helpful for those researching their families. I hope you will find something that is helpful or insightful.
Naming Patterns of the 19th Century
First son: named for his paternal grandfather.
Second son: named for his maternal grandfather.
Third son: named after father or father's paternal grandfather.
Fourth son: named after father's olders brother or mother's maternal grandfather.
Fifth son: named after mother's eldest brother or father's maternal grandfather.
Sixth son: named after fahter's second oldest brother or for mother's maternal grandfather.
First dau: named for maternal grandmother.
Second dau: named for her paternal grandmother.
Third dau: named after mother or for mother's maternal grandmother.
Fourth dau: named after mother's oldest sister or for father's paternal grandmother.
Fifth dau: named after father's eldest sister or for mother's paternal grandmother.
Sixth dau: named after mother's second oldest sister or for father's paternal grandmother.
There are all sorts of variations, some covered by rules and some by family decision.
It was customary to name the next daughter/son born within a second marriage for the deceased husband/wife.
If a father died before his child was born, the child was often named for him.
If a mother died in childbirth, that child, if a girl, was usually named for the mother.
Another child was commonly named for a child who had died within the family.
Source: TLSPEARS
Last updated 10/02/1998.
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