How To Find Out Your Ancestors Names

Did you lot know that often the first name given to a child followed a traditional pattern? We show you how to check this pattern and observe clues that can help you with your family tree research.

Many countries have their own naming traditions – the English traditional is shown below and this likewise applies to Irish patterns:

First son – named after the father's father
Starting time daughter – named after the mother's mother
Second son – named subsequently the mother's father
Second daughter – named subsequently the father's mother
Third son – named subsequently the father
Tertiary daughter – named after the mother
Quaternary son – named afterward the begetter's eldest brother
4th daughter – named afterwards the mother's eldest sister

Scottish naming patterns

FindMyPast wrote a blog that lays out two culling patterns – the about common one is:

The first son would be named afterward the male parent'south father (variation is after the mother's father)
The second after the mother'due south father (variation is the father's begetter)
The tertiary son would exist named later on the father
The 4th son would exist named after the male parent'southward oldest brother (variation is later the male parent's paternal grandfather)
The fifth son would be named after the mother's oldest brother (variation is afterwards the female parent's paternal grandpa)

and for girls:

First daughter named later the mother's female parent (variation is after the male parent's mother)
Second girl named after the father's mother
3rd girl named later on the mother
Fourth daughter named afterwards the mother's oldest sister (variation is after the mother's maternal grandmother)
Fifth daughter named after the father's oldest sis (variation is afterwards the father'south maternal grandmother)

Using naming patterns in family unit history

Equally you can come across, the above pattern could exist of existent aid when guiding yous towards the correct person in records such as the census, nascence, spousal relationship & death records and other family history sources. Information technology can too help you concentrate your search, particularly if you lot're dealing with unusual first names repeating down the centuries.

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Apparently the above are only a guide – many people might accept chosen a family member's middle proper noun when naming a child, or made their ain unrelated selection. It'south also possible that family unit tensions can play a part, with people avoiding 1 of the naming patterns and then equally not to name a kid after a member of the family whom they disliked.

Good luck in your search and let us know if yous manage to notice that elusive ancestor thanks to a naming pattern!

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