June 2nd, 2005
Alexandria & Roberto
What's in a Name?
Digging For Ancestors
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Many times we find ourselves with a mystery on our hands at some point in our research.
Understanding how our ancestors decided on names can provide meaningful clues to help
solve the mystery. By investigating the names of all the children of your main line's ancestor as
well as their siblings' children, you can find important clues to the next generation back.
Middle Names:
Perhaps you have identified a wife's name, but don't know her maiden name. Look to the
middle names of her sons. Very often a son will be give the mother's maiden name as their
middle name. Keep an eye out for middle names that seem like surnames. If you see one like
"John Speirs Fulton" its worth checking to see if this person's mother had a surname of "Speirs"
prior to marrying.
You can see how important it is to note the full name of everyone you find in a particular line.
Someone not in your direct blood line could actually hold the key that opens the door to
another generation.
Understanding how our ancestors decided on names can provide meaningful clues to help
solve the mystery. By investigating the names of all the children of your main line's ancestor as
well as their siblings' children, you can find important clues to the next generation back.
Middle Names:
Perhaps you have identified a wife's name, but don't know her maiden name. Look to the
middle names of her sons. Very often a son will be give the mother's maiden name as their
middle name. Keep an eye out for middle names that seem like surnames. If you see one like
"John Speirs Fulton" its worth checking to see if this person's mother had a surname of "Speirs"
prior to marrying.
You can see how important it is to note the full name of everyone you find in a particular line.
Someone not in your direct blood line could actually hold the key that opens the door to
another generation.
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Naming Conventions
Names were influenced by family relatives, country of origin and tradition. They vary by
location and by century. We address naming patterns for England, Ireland and Scotland here.
There are many other traditions in other countries that are worth investigating if you are
researching ancestors in those areas. Here are a few helpful hints that may help you in your
research. In addition to the patterns detailed below, note that some daughters were named
using the feminine form of the father's name. For instance, a father named Robert may have a
daughter named Roberta.
Names were influenced by family relatives, country of origin and tradition. They vary by
location and by century. We address naming patterns for England, Ireland and Scotland here.
There are many other traditions in other countries that are worth investigating if you are
researching ancestors in those areas. Here are a few helpful hints that may help you in your
research. In addition to the patterns detailed below, note that some daughters were named
using the feminine form of the father's name. For instance, a father named Robert may have a
daughter named Roberta.
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Nicknames
Nicknames are ever present in records throughout our history. They have obvious links to your
ancestor's given name or can be strangely different. Be on the look out for nicknames. That
strange name you run across may not be an additional family member. They could just be one
you know by another name. Names that seem to be nicknames may be the given name of the
individual after all. So, Lizzie may not be Elizabeth after all! Ah, sweet mystery.
Here are some examples of some of the nicknames that have tripped me up in the past. . Emily
Anne Croom has a more detailed and very informative chapter on names in her book,
Unpuzzling Your Past, A Basic Genealogy Guide.
Nicknames are ever present in records throughout our history. They have obvious links to your
ancestor's given name or can be strangely different. Be on the look out for nicknames. That
strange name you run across may not be an additional family member. They could just be one
you know by another name. Names that seem to be nicknames may be the given name of the
individual after all. So, Lizzie may not be Elizabeth after all! Ah, sweet mystery.
Here are some examples of some of the nicknames that have tripped me up in the past. . Emily
Anne Croom has a more detailed and very informative chapter on names in her book,
Unpuzzling Your Past, A Basic Genealogy Guide.
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Spelling & Abbreviations
As if naming conventions and nicknames weren't enough to confuse you, watch out for spelling
and abbreviations.
As discussed on the Census section of this site, census takers wrote down what they thought
was the correct spelling of names. Many times it was more of a phonetic spelling versus the
true spelling.
Finally, many handwritten documents (even formal ones) use the abbreviation for a male's
name. You may also see the entire family listed in the census with only the initials of their first
names. It pays to remember these most common abbreviations as you review documents.
Jonathan - Jno
Thomas - Thos
James - Jas
Christopher - Xr
As if naming conventions and nicknames weren't enough to confuse you, watch out for spelling
and abbreviations.
As discussed on the Census section of this site, census takers wrote down what they thought
was the correct spelling of names. Many times it was more of a phonetic spelling versus the
true spelling.
Finally, many handwritten documents (even formal ones) use the abbreviation for a male's
name. You may also see the entire family listed in the census with only the initials of their first
names. It pays to remember these most common abbreviations as you review documents.
Jonathan - Jno
Thomas - Thos
James - Jas
Christopher - Xr
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