This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/EgC.2ACE/10117.2 Message Board Post: Patsy It is true that the Scots, to a certain extent, adhered to the "traditional" naming system. But, as I have found, focussing too much on that idea can lead to some red herrings! Here is an example from just one of my family lines - John Mackie (tenant in Mains of Schivas, Aberdeenshire) and Ann Lamb had 11 children born between 1806 and 1829 - 1. Mary Mackie - after maternal grandmother 2. Alexander Forbes Irvine Mackie - after the landlord 3. Margaret Mackie - possibly after father's sister, or the landlord's wife 4. Frances Helen Mackie - unknown 5. John Mackie - after father 6. Susan Mackie - after mother's sister 7. Ann Mackie - after mother 8. James Hamilton Irvine Mackie - after the landlord's son 9. May Brown Mackie - first name unknown, but Brown was maternal gradnmother's surname 10. Elizabeth Mackie - after paternal grandmother 11. George Johnston Mackie - after husband of mother's sister, Susan Lamb. George was also his paternal grandfather's first name. These names were passed on down through the generations. George Johnston was particularly popular - occuring several times per generation - possibly because the parents thought his much younger wife, Susan, a fairly well-to-do childless widow, might look favourably on her husband's namesakes in her will!!! Children were also named after the minister, the minister's wife, the doctor, a good friend, commanding officer, etc. Hope this helps, Marie B.