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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. | ||
=== Patronymic Names === | === Patronymic Names === | ||
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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. | ||
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.'') | |||
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 | |||
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. | |||
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''' | |||
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. | |||
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. | |||
When patronymic names may have been used always do your searches by '''given name'''. | |||
For more information on Welsh names, see: | For more information on Welsh names, see: | ||