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5. Rights of inheritance, and other economic reasons. | 5. Rights of inheritance, and other economic reasons. | ||
In the days of copyhold land, a persons' entitlement to land was only recorded in the manor court rolls. Deeds as they are known today, did not exist. The only "proof" one had that one owned particular land was in the "copy" rolls held by the manorial clerk. If a woman was widowed, and later remarried, the children of her first marriage often took the name of the step-father. But, to maintain their right to their inheritance, they would use the step-father's name as an alias. There were variations in this practice. In one well-documented case circa 1558, William Camborne married Elinor Wilton Paynter, a widow with seven children, and adopted the surname of her first husband, becoming William Camborne alias Paynter of Trelissick, St. Erth. Their descendants used both Paynter | In the days of copyhold land, a persons' entitlement to land was only recorded in the manor court rolls. Deeds as they are known today, did not exist. The only "proof" one had that one owned particular land was in the "copy" rolls held by the manorial clerk. If a woman was widowed, and later remarried, the children of her first marriage often took the name of the step-father. But, to maintain their right to their inheritance, they would use the step-father's name as an alias. There were variations in this practice. In one well-documented case circa 1558, William Camborne married Elinor Wilton Paynter, a widow with seven children, and adopted the surname of her first husband, becoming William Camborne alias Paynter of Trelissick, St. Erth. Their descendants used both Camborne and Paynter, with the use of Paynter eventually completely overtaking the use of Camborne within three generations. | ||
In some cases, persons legally changed their names to obtain an inheritance from a line in their family which was in danger of "dying out." For instance, | In some cases, persons legally changed their names to obtain an inheritance from a line in their family which was in danger of "dying out." For instance, a man would take the name of his maternal uncle to become his legal heir. | ||
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By the mid-1800's, the practice of using aliases had diminished to the point of obsolescence, except in the criminal classes, and as noted in the definition first given, court cases where it was paramount to identify an individual. | By the mid-1800's, the practice of using aliases had diminished to the point of obsolescence, except in the criminal classes, and as noted in the definition first given, court cases where it was paramount to identify an individual. | ||
As for forenames, persons were often given the fore-names of their godparents. In the 1550's five Erisey daughters in one generation were baptised, four of whom were given the name of one godmother. Many families gave multiple children in the same generation the same, or almost the same, forename For instance, Marianne Symons, Mary Ann Symons, Mary Anne Symons, and Mary Symons were all baptised circa 1815-1830 | As for forenames, persons were often given the fore-names of their godparents. In the 1550's when five Erisey daughters in one generation were baptised, four of whom were given the name of one godmother. Many families gave multiple children in the same generation the same, or almost the same, forename For instance, Marianne Symons, Mary Ann Symons, Mary Anne Symons, and Mary Symons were all baptised circa 1815-1830, born to the same parents. Only one died in childhood. | ||
During the early 1800's, it became fashionable to give the paternal grandmother's name as a second given name. It can greatly benefit a researcher when a family used that name for several generations, as was frequently done. Often these names reflect two or more of the above factors, which become additional bonuses. The maternal grandmother's maiden name was also used in this manner, but less frequently. | During the early 1800's, it became fashionable to give the paternal grandmother's name as a second given name. It can greatly benefit a researcher when a family used that name for several generations, as was frequently done. Often these names reflect two or more of the above factors, which become additional bonuses. The maternal grandmother's maiden name was also used in this manner, but less frequently. | ||