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Wales Naming Customs: Difference between revisions
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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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*A widow may have reverted to using her maiden surname. | *A widow may have reverted to using her maiden surname. | ||
{| | {| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" border="1" align="center" width="75%" class="grid listing" | ||
|- | |- | ||
! Patronymic Name | ! Patronymic Name | ||
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| Prydderch, Prytherch | | Prydderch, Prytherch | ||
|} | |} | ||
=== 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 | '''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'''. | ||
=== Adopting a Surname === | === Adopting a Surname === | ||
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<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). | <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). | ||
[[Image:Patronymics illustration.jpg|center]] | [[Image:Patronymics illustration.jpg|center]] | ||
=== Search Strategies === | === Search Strategies === | ||
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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'''. | ||
=== | === 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 {{FHL|55852|title-id|disp=book 942.9 D4m}}.) | *Morgan, T. J., and Prys Morgan, ''Welsh Surnames''. Cardiff, Wales: University of Wales Press, 1985. (Family History Library {{FHL|55852|title-id|disp=book 942.9 D4m}}.) | ||
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*"Welsh First Names for Children: Their Meanings Explained''. Cardiff, Wales: Emeralda, 1978. (Family History Library {{FHL|600408|title-id|disp=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> | *"Welsh First Names for Children: Their Meanings Explained''. Cardiff, Wales: Emeralda, 1978. (Family History Library {{FHL|600408|title-id|disp=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> | ||
=== See also === | === See also === | ||
*[[Guild of One-Name Studies]] | *[[Guild of One-Name Studies]] | ||