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== Given Names == | == Given Names == | ||
*When they were christened, children usually received one or two given names. Some were named after parents or other relatives. | *When they were christened, children usually received one or two given names. Some were named after parents or other relatives. | ||
*Family researchers might run across Biblical names, such as Zacharias or Benjamin, or names for religious principles, like Faith, Hope, and Charity. Such names were not common in England and may suggest that the family was particularly committed to religion and may have been non-conformist dissenters (belonged to a church other than the state Church of England, or Anglican). This can be a significant hint to the family researcher. | *Family researchers might run across '''Biblical names''', such as Zacharias or Benjamin, or names for religious principles, like '''Faith, Hope, and Charity'''. Such names were not common in England and may suggest that the family was particularly committed to religion and may have been '''non-conformist dissenters (belonged to a church other than the state Church of England, or Anglican)'''. This can be a significant hint to the family researcher. | ||
*Since many children died in the 17th and 18th centuries, parents had no problem with re-using the name of a dead child for a subsequent birth. A family might, therefore, have several John or Jane children. Occasionally, the same name was given to more than one living child, but this was rare. The re-use of a name almost always meant that the first child with that name had died. | *Since many children died in the 17th and 18th centuries, parents had no problem with '''re-using the name of a dead child for a subsequent birth'''. A family might, therefore, have several John or Jane children. Occasionally, the same name was given to more than one living child, but this was rare. The re-use of a name almost always meant that the first child with that name had died. | ||
===Naming Pattern=== | ===Naming Pattern=== | ||
The most common convention was for the parents to choose names that honored people. Sometimes the people so honored were powerful people, such as a local, wealthy landowner. Sometimes the names honored royalty. So there were many Henrys named after King Henry and many Georges named after King George. The most common persons to honor, however, were the gender appropriate grandparents and parents. There was even a convention in the order in which the ancestors were honored – probably to avoid insulting anyone. Although it was far from universally used, the usual British naming convention was as follows: | The most common convention was for the parents to choose names that honored people. Sometimes the people so honored were powerful people, such as a local, wealthy landowner. Sometimes the names honored royalty. So there were many Henrys named after King Henry and many Georges named after King George. The most common persons to honor, however, were the gender appropriate grandparents and parents. There was even a convention in the order in which the ancestors were honored – probably to avoid insulting anyone. Although it was far from universally used, the usual British naming convention was as follows: | ||
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If there was duplication (for example, the paternal grandfather and the father had the same name), then the family moved to the next position on the list. | If there was duplication (for example, the paternal grandfather and the father had the same name), then the family moved to the next position on the list. | ||
==For Further Reading== | ==For Further Reading== | ||
*[http://surnames.behindthename.com/ '''Behind the Name'''] The etymology and history of first names | *[http://surnames.behindthename.com/ '''Behind the Name'''] The etymology and history of first names | ||