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[[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Wales]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] Personal Names
[[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Wales]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] Personal Names  


Before record keeping began, most people only had a first name. As the population increased, people began adding descriptive information, such as John "the smith," to a person’s name to distinguish him or her from others with the same name. At first, a surname applied only to one person and not to the whole family.  
Before record keeping began, most people only had a first name. As the population increased, people began adding descriptive information, such as John "the smith," to a person’s name to distinguish him or her from others with the same name. At first, a surname applied only to one person and not to the whole family.  


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=== Patronymic Names  ===
=== Patronymic Names  ===
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*A widow may have reverted to using her maiden surname.
*A widow may have reverted to using her maiden surname.


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=== Other Types of Surnames  ===
=== Other Types of Surnames  ===
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'''Occupational.''' Other surnames are based on the person’s trade, such as Wil Saer (or Wil y Saer), meaning 'Will the carpenter'. Occupational names are sometimes modified. For example, 'Saer' could take the permanent form of '''Sayer'''.  
'''Occupational.''' Other surnames are based on the person’s trade, such as Wil Saer (or Wil y Saer), meaning 'Will the carpenter'. Occupational names are sometimes modified. For example, 'Saer' could take the permanent form of '''Sayer'''.  


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=== Adopting a Surname  ===
=== Adopting a Surname  ===
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'''Grandmother’s Name.''' An individual’s surname could be based on the grandmother’s family name. Rees Llewelyn married Gwenllian Lloyd. Their son, Griffith ab Rhys, named his son David Lloyd. David Lloyd’s descendants kept the surname Lloyd.  
'''Grandmother’s Name.''' An individual’s surname could be based on the grandmother’s family name. Rees Llewelyn married Gwenllian Lloyd. Their son, Griffith ab Rhys, named his son David Lloyd. David Lloyd’s descendants kept the surname Lloyd.  


Many pre-1800 church registers record the father’s name in several different ways, one or more of which may be abbreviated. For example, "Jane Thomas, daughter of Thomas Dd. William James was baptized the 26th May 1732." Without further evidence, it is impossible to determine which name(s) the father used during his lifetime.
Many pre-1800 church registers record the father’s name in several different ways, one or more of which may be abbreviated. For example, "Jane Thomas, daughter of Thomas Dd. William James was baptized the 26th May 1732." Without further evidence, it is impossible to determine which name(s) the father used during his lifetime.  


<br> In Wales, if the patronymic naming system was used, the surname of the child was usually based upon the father’s FIRST name. The following chart shows only males (John EVANS, his sons, and his grandsons). Notice the names highlighted in red showing that the FIRST name of John EVANS was used by his sons as their SURNAME. (Thomas JOHNS, for example, means Thomas . . . the son of. . . John) In our example, by the time John EVANS has 20 grandsons, the grandsons have five different surnames. Today, these grandsons (cousins to each other) would all have the same surname (EVANS).


In Wales, if the patronymic naming system was used, the surname of the child was usually based upon the father’s FIRST name.  The following chart shows only males (John EVANS, his sons, and his grandsons).  Notice the names highlighted in red showing that the FIRST name of John EVANS was used by his sons as their SURNAME.  (Thomas JOHNS, for example, means Thomas . . . the son of. . .  John)
[[Image:Patronymics illustration.jpg|center]]<br>
In our example, by the time John EVANS has 20 grandsons, the grandsons have five different surnames.  Today, these grandsons (cousins to each other) would all have the same surname (EVANS).  


=== Search Strategies  ===


The information below is specific to one database, the International Genealogical Index (I.G.I.). No Welsh law mandated when the use of patronymics should stop. To facilitate the input of data, the I.G.I. selected an arbitrary date (1812). Only a small percentage of church and chapel records have been extracted for the IGI. Always examine the original record. Below are helpful tips to use when searching the L.D.S. database at www.familysearch.org (I.G.I.):


•Pre 1813 extractions are based on the assumption that everyone in Wales used patronymics before this date;


•Post 1812 extractions are based on the assumption that no one in Wales used patronymics after this date;


The information below is specific to one database, the International Genealogical Index (I.G.I.).  No Welsh law mandated when the use of patronymics should stop.  To facilitate the input of data, the I.G.I. selected an arbitrary date (1812). Only a small percentage of church and chapel records have been extracted for the IGI. Always examine the original record. Below are helpful tips to use when searching the L.D.S. database at www.familysearch.org (I.G.I.):
•Search by given name for christenings before 1813;


•Pre 1813 extractions are based on the assumption that everyone in Wales used patronymics before this date;
•Search by surname for christenings after 1812;  
 
•Post 1812 extractions are based on the assumption that no one in Wales used patronymics after this date;
 
•Search by given name for christenings before 1813;
 
•Search by surname for christenings after 1812;


•Use the IGI as a starting point but never expect it to represent a high percentage of the population.  
•Use the IGI as a starting point but never expect it to represent a high percentage of the population.  


One way to learn about naming patterns in Wales is to look at the records both before and after the adoption of fixed surnames.  
<br> One way to learn about naming patterns in Wales is to look at the records both before and after the adoption of fixed surnames.  


'''Thomas ye son of David Griffith David was baptized they 18 day of 8 ber 1746 at a publick meeting at Mynydd Bach by John Harries'''. (From ''Llyfr Eglwys Mynydd Bach in Y Cofiadur Sef Cylchgrawn Cymdeithas Hanes Annibynwyr Cymru, number 17, March 1947, page 42.'')  
'''Thomas ye son of David Griffith David was baptized they 18 day of 8 ber 1746 at a publick meeting at Mynydd Bach by John Harries'''. (From ''Llyfr Eglwys Mynydd Bach in Y Cofiadur Sef Cylchgrawn Cymdeithas Hanes Annibynwyr Cymru, number 17, March 1947, page 42.'')  
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When patronymic names may have been used always do your searches by '''given name'''.  
When patronymic names may have been used always do your searches by '''given name'''.  


 
=== <br> For more information on Welsh names, see: ===
For more information on Welsh names, see:  


*Morgan, T. J., and Prys Morgan, ''Welsh Surnames''. Cardiff, Wales: University of Wales Press, 1985. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=55852&disp=Welsh+surnames%20%20&columns=*,0,0 book 942.9 D4m].)
*Morgan, T. J., and Prys Morgan, ''Welsh Surnames''. Cardiff, Wales: University of Wales Press, 1985. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=55852&disp=Welsh+surnames%20%20&columns=*,0,0 book 942.9 D4m].)
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== Sources  ==
== Sources  ==


<references />
<references />  


[[Category:Wales]]
[[Category:Wales]]
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