This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: MistletoeLady Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.lee/108.2.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: There is a naming tradition that held pretty strong in early history. As you can see when reading through it, yes, there can be clues as to who is related by names given. It also has the potential of making a mess of trying to untangle the strings of the history. If this does not come out clear, I can e-mail you a pdf of it. It has helped us in many, many cases get the right names into the right families. The naming tradition for the English and Wlech Culture from 1700-1870 1st son was named after the fathers father 2nd son was named after the mother's father 3rd son was named after the father 4th son was named after the father's oldest brother 5th son was named after the father's next oldest brother 1st dau was named after the mother's mother 2nd dau was named afer the mother's father's mother 3rd dau was named after the mother 4th dau was named after the mother's oldest sister 5th dau was named after the mother's next oldest sister and so on down the line. Exemptions apply if a duplication of a given name would occur, then the practice would involve skipping to the next generation. Irish 1800's 1st son was named after the father's grandfather 2nd son was named after the mother's grandmother 3rd son and on was named using grandmothers, grandfathers, mothers, fathers, aunts and uncles names. 1st dau was named after the father's grandmother 2nd dau was named after the mother's grandmother 3rd dau and on was named using grandmothers, grandfathers, mothers, aunts and uncles names. Scottish 1700 -1800 1st son after the paternal grandfather 2nd son after the maternal grandfather 3rd son after his father 1st dau after the maternal grandmother 2nd dau after the paternal grandmother 3rd dau after her mother This policy holds unless one family member had more assets or a higher social standing thant he other. If 2 grandparents had the same name, two children in the same family would have the same names. The naming tradition for the English and Wlech Culture from 1700-1870 1st son was named after the fathers father 2nd son was named after the mother's father 3rd son was named after the father 4th son was named after the father's oldest brother 5th son was named after the father's next oldest brother and so on down the line. Exemptions apply if a duplication of a given name would occur, then the practice would involve skipping to the next generation. If a person is of great influence, that person will take priority in names of children, and the usual tradition will follow after said person. 1st dau was named after the mother's mother 2nd dau was named afer the mother's father's mother 3rd dau was named after the mother 4th dau was named after the mother's oldest sister 5th dau was named after the mother's next oldest sister and so on down the line. Exemptions apply if a duplication of a given name would occur, then the practice would involve skipping to the next generation. If a person is of great influence, that person will take priority in names of children, and the usual tradition will follow after said person. Irish 1800's 1st son was named after the father's grandfather 2nd son was named after the mother's grandmother 3rd son was named after the father 4th son was named using grandfathers, and uncles names. 1st dau was named after the mother's mother 2nd dau was named afer the mother's father's mother 3rd dau was named after the mother 4th dau and on was named using grandmothers, and aunts names. Scottish 1700 -1800 1st son after the paternal grandfather 2nd son after the maternal grandfather 3rd son after his father 1st dau after the maternal grandmother 2nd dau after the paternal grandmother 3rd dau after her mother This policy holds unless one family member had more assets or a higher social standing than the other. If 2 grandparents had the same name, two children in the same family would have the same names. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.