> I have a question about a couple of word definitions. I downloaded > a gedcom last night with a list of names from 1250 and earlier. At > a certain point, the names changed to Old English and there is where > my question lies. The men's names all have the word ap between the > first and last names (although the last names in some cases look > like first names), and all the women's names have the word verch > between the first and last names- i.e.; IEUAN ap LLEWELYN and JONET > verch CYNFYN. I am assuming that these words mean "son of" and > "daughter of", but I would like a better informed opinion, if > possible. Does anyone out there know what these two words mean? > > Carrie Marsh <carrie1@attglobal.net> You are correct in your thinking. When naming started one name was all they had so to distingish it became NAME SON OF NAME or NAME AP NAME or Johnson or Johnsdatter or Name Verch Name. Actually it was a good way as you always knew the fathers name that way. Deana Smith "Dora Smith" <deanae@alltel.net>