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[[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Wales]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] Personal Names
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'''Understanding customs used in Welsh names can help you identify your ancestors in records.  Learn to recognize name variations and see clues in names.'''
|}
==Online Tools==
*[https://named.publicprofiler.org/ '''Names, Public Profiler, British Surname Map]
*[https://britishsurnames.co.uk/ '''British Surnames''']
*[https://surnames.behindthename.com/names/usage/welsh  '''Behind the Name: Welsh Surnames''']
*[https://www.behindthename.com/names/usage/welsh '''Behind the Name: Welsh Given Names''']
*[http://www.namenerds.com/welsh/trad2.html '''Traditional Welsh Names: Men''']
*[http://www.namenerds.com/welsh/trad1.html '''Traditional Welsh Names: Women''']
*[https://www.familysearch.org/en/surname Surname experience] at FamilySearch - search by surname to learn its meaning and origin
==Surnames==
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.  
<br>


=== 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.


{| width="75%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" border="1" align="center" class="grid listing"
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" border="1" align="center" width="75%" class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Patronymic Name  
! Patronymic Name  
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| ab Eynon  
| ab Eynon  
| Beynon
| Beynon
|-
| ap Harri, ap Harry
| Parry
|-
| ap Huw, ap Hugh
| Pugh
|-
| ab Hwfa
| Povah, Povey
|-
| ap Hywel, ap Howell
| Powell
|-
|-
| ab Owain, ab Owen  
| ab Owain, ab Owen  
| Bowen
| Bowen
|-
|-
| ap Harri, ap Harry
| ap Rhobyn, ap Robyn
| Parry
| Probyn
|-
| ap Rhydderch
| Prydderch, Prytherch
|-
|-
| ap Rhys  
| ap Rhys  
| Prees, Preece, Price
| Prees, Preece, Price
|-
| ap Rhobyn, ap Robyn
| Probyn
|-
|-
| ap Richard  
| ap Richard  
| Pritchard
| Prichard, Pritchard
|-
|-
| ap Robert  
| ap Robert  
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| ap Roger  
| ap Roger  
| Prodger
| Prodger
|-
| ap Huw, ap Hugh
| Pugh
|-
| ap Hywel, ap Howell
| Powell
|-
| ap Rhydderch
| Prydderch, Prytherch
|}
|}
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<br>


=== Other Types of Surnames  ===
=== Other Types of Surnames  ===
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'''Descriptive or Nickname.''' Surnames are sometimes based on a unique quality of a person. Occasionally this term was modified and accepted as a permanent surname. For example, '''Llwyd''' (meaning 'gray') was changed to '''Lloyd'''. Sometimes a descriptive term immediately followed the given name, such as 'Gwilym ap Fychan'. ('Fychan' means small and often became '''Vaughan'''.)  
'''Descriptive or Nickname.''' Surnames are sometimes based on a unique quality of a person. Occasionally this term was modified and accepted as a permanent surname. For example, '''Llwyd''' (meaning 'gray') was changed to '''Lloyd'''. Sometimes a descriptive term immediately followed the given name, such as 'Gwilym ap Fychan'. ('Fychan' means small and often became '''Vaughan'''.)  


'''Locality.''' Some surnames are based on the individual’s birthplace or residence. Thomas '''Mostyn''' lived in Mostyn.  
'''Locality.''' Some surnames are based on the individual’s birthplace or residence, for example '''Mostyn''', '''Nannau''' and '''Pennant'''.  


'''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'''.  
<br>


=== Adopting a Surname  ===
=== Adopting a Surname  ===
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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) 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).  
 
[[Image:Patronymics illustration.jpg|center]]<br>
 
=== 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;
[[Image:Patronymics illustration.jpg|center|Patronymics illustration.jpg]]


•Search by given name for christenings before 1813;
== Solving common name problems  ==


•Search by surname for christenings after 1812;
Many times when you are searching for someone with a common name, research can become difficult because records are not complete or are unavailable and/or there are too many people with the same name or surname.


•Use the IGI as a starting point but never expect it to represent a high percentage of the population.  
{{Tip|"It is often difficult to determine from many early Welsh records, without supporting evidence from other sources, which name an individual used in later life.  This difficulty of name identification in most Welsh records, due in part to the patronymic naming system, together with place name problems, make it imperative that all available record sources containing genealogical information covering the locality and period of time in question are thoroughly examined and analyzed for identifying clues and evidence.  This must be done in order to establish correct pedigrees."<ref>Family History Department Research Paper Series A, No. 6 1967 (revised 1976)</ref>}}


<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.
'''Tips for solving common name problems'''


'''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.'')
*Establish an identity for your ancestor. You must know more about your ancestor than simply his or her name. A name, time period and place are critical information. Examples of other information are: Is there a farm name associated with the family? Who were your ancestor’s siblings? What was his/her occupation?
*Identify all records for the place or area of interest in the time period. Search those records.
*Find and use available indexes to these records. Remember that indexes are often incomplete and always have errors. Verify information you find in the index with the actual record.
*Make photocopies of these records as you use them. Oftentimes a piece of information you hadn't noticed when you first found the record will have significance later.
*Create a database to collect the names you find. Include identifying information. Arrange it so you can sort by name, date, place, event, record type, etc. Use the database when evaluating and making decisions.
*Use more than one record type for information about the individual. Using a variety of appropriate records will help you verify if you have the right person and/or give you the correct perspective on the individual or family.
*Evaluate and analyse each record. The combination of what you know about your ancestor and what you learn from records will allow you to determine if it is consistent, conflicting or new information.
*When you find a christening that you believe is ancestral, make sure the person named in the christening does not die before your ancestor married. If the person in the christening dies as a child, he/she cannot be your ancestor.
*Search for all the siblings of your ancestor. The broader the foundation of family you lay, the easier it will be to work backwards. Oftentimes the clues you need will come from a brother or sister and not necessarily the direct ancestor.
*Do blanket searches for the surname, rather than limiting your search to the immediate family. Check all possibilities of those with the same surname. You may find other family or determine that what you have may not be correct.
*Trace all potential families when you have more than one with the same given and surname. This research may help you to resolve which family is really yours.
*When you scan down a list of names on a record, don’t limit yourself to the primary person. For example: Read the names of the bride, groom and their fathers on a marriage record post-1 July 1837. You will pick up women who are widowed with their maiden names. Be sure to read witness’ names.


There are several things to note from this baptism record in relation to names: 1. In this case we find a child named Thomas being baptised. 2. The father's name is given as David Griffith David 3. The year is 1746
Using these tips will help you to clearly identify a person or family members and place them in the correct family.


Be sure not to misinterpret the information recorded in a document like a baptism record. In the above case we only know that '''Thomas''', the son of '''David Griffith David''' was baptised on a specific date at a specific place. The record does not identify the second name of '''Thomas'''. He may have gone through life by any of several name combinations. Additional records must be examined to get a clear indication of what Thomas' full name was.
== Records that solve common name problems  ==


We do see that his father was identified in a typical fashion for those still using the '''patronymic''' name system. Thomas' father was: '''David Griffith David''' or '''David the son of Griffith and grandson of David'''
When doing research for a person or family, it is important to search the commonly used records to begin. Those records for Wales are:  


By examining other entries in this baptism register a pattern can be seen. Many of the families that had children christened at Mynydd Bach chapel still used the patronymic name system into the 1750s and later.
*Civil Registration
*Census
*Church Records


Knowing that most families in a parish used patronymics during the time period you are researching should cause you to perform searches in historical records differently.
After thoroughly searching those records and laying a foundation for the family using the information found in them, you should then collect identifying information from other less-used records to verify and clarify the research you have done. Use the following records after you have used the commonly used records:


When patronymic names may have been used always do your searches by '''given name'''.  
{{Tip|Land records are, perhaps, as important in tracing a Welsh pedigree as the use of parish records.  These records identify the family on a piece of property, and even though the family name changes from generation to generation, possession of the property does not.  It makes it easier to identify the family, even when the names changes, making estate and other land records extremely valuable genealogical sources.<ref name="profile">The Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Family History Record Profile: Wales,” Word document, private files of the FamilySearch Content Strategy Team, 1989-1997.</ref>}}
*Burial Records or Monumental Inscriptions (MI’s)
*Probate Records
*Land and Property
*Taxation
*Compiled Pedigrees
*Marriage bonds and allegations
*Poor law records
*Court Records: Petty Sessions, Quarter Sessions, Great Sessions <br>


=== <br> For more information on Welsh names, see:  ===
Be sure to analyse and evaluate carefully each record. You may have to view a record several times to gather all pertinent information for a person or family.


*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].)


*Rowlands, John, and Sheila. ''The Surnames of Wales for Family Historians and Others''. Genealogical Publishing Co.: Baltimore, Maryland. 1996. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=765266&disp=The+surnames+of+Wales%20%20&columns=*,0,0 book 942.9 D4r].)
== For Further Reading==
*[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/img_auth.php/1/17/Welsh_Naming_Patterns_Handout.pdf '''Welsh Naming Patterns''']
*[http://www.clwydfhs.org.uk/helachau/patronymics.htm '''Patronymic Paranoia'''] at Clwyd FHS


*"Welsh First Names for Children: Their Meanings Explained''. Cardiff, Wales: Emeralda, 1978. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=600408&disp=Welsh+first+names+for+children%20%20&columns=*,0,0 book 942.9 D4w].) ''<ref>The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ''Research Outline: Wales'' (Salt Lake City: Corporation of the President, 2000), 53-54.</ref>
*[http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/tangwystyl/welshWomen16/patterns.html '''Women's Names in the First Half of 16th Century Wales''']
*Morgan, T. J., and Prys Morgan, '''''Welsh Surnames'''''. Cardiff, Wales: University of Wales Press, 1985. (FamilySearch Library {{FSC|55852|title-id|disp=book 942.9 D4m}}.) {{WorldCat|1030218686|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}


=== External Links  ===
*Rowlands, John, and Sheila. '''''The Surnames of Wales for Family Historians and Others'''''. Genealogical Publishing Co.: Baltimore, Maryland. 1996. (FamilySearch Library {{FSC|765266|title-id|disp=book 942.9 D4r}}.) {{WorldCat|659960977|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}


*http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/tangwystyl/welshWomen16/patterns.html
*'''"Welsh First Names for Children: Their Meanings Explained"'''. Cardiff, Wales: Emeralda, 1978. (FamilySearch Library {{FSC|600408|title-id|disp=book 942.9 D4w}}.) {{WorldCat|819765430|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}} ''<ref>The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ''Research Outline: Wales'' (Salt Lake City: Corporation of the President, 2000), 53-54.</ref>
*http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/whatsinaname/sites/themes/pages/personalnames.shtml
*http://www.leigh.org/genealogy/welshnames.html
*[http://www.mipcatalog.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MIPCATALOG&Product_Code=978-1-58044-025-8 http://www.mipcatalog.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&amp;Store_Code=MIPCATALOG&amp;Product_Code=978-1-58044-025-8]


== Sources ==
== References ==


<references />  
<references />  


{{Place|Wales}}
{{Place|Wales}}  


[[Category:Wales|Personal Names]]
[[Category:Wales]]
[[Category:Naming Customs]]
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