This might not seem like a genealogy enquiry, but it is. Does anyone have any knowledge of house names? I have three branches of a family living in three separate villages between 1770 and 1870 but all chose the same house name - Vine Cottage. Is there evidence that names ran in families? Is this just a popular name? Is there any significance in the actual name "Vine Cottage"? Thanks Graham

We can only guess at this unless documentary sources reveal anything concrete. It is almost certainly pure coincidence - your ancestors may even have picked cottages 2 and 3 simply because they had the same name as No. 1 - though there might be a VERY remote possibility of an occupational link? If this were at all likely, then I should think that strong supporting evidence, such as associated land-use (e.g. a vineyard?) would have to exist in context with most or all 3 of the cottages, in old maps, plans, etc. My father's house, built in 1906, is called "The Brandens" (sic). It is a semi, and next door is called "Melbreak." For decades no-one knew the reason for these names, until a lady knocked on the door one day and said she lived in our house in the 50s. During a guided tour (of our 20-year-old wallpaper!) she said that the two houses were named after mountains, and sure enough, there turns out to be a 'Melbreak' in the Peak District, though I've yet to find 'the Brandens.' If I succeed, then I could claim to have grown up in one of the only two mountains of Essex! A number of houses are called 'the Brandons' (sic,) which may be something to do with a Suffolk placename, I suppose. Lawrence -----Original Message----- From: Graham Ward [mailto:graham.ward@gmx.net] Sent: 28 April 2005 20:31 To: SOG-UK-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [SoG] House naming patterns This might not seem like a genealogy enquiry, but it is. Does anyone have any knowledge of house names? I have three branches of a family living in three separate villages between 1770 and 1870 but all chose the same house name - Vine Cottage. Is there evidence that names ran in families? Is this just a popular name? Is there any significance in the actual name "Vine Cottage"? Thanks Graham -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.10.3 - Release Date: 25/04/2005 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.0 - Release Date: 29/04/2005

I wonder if (failing the obvious horticultural evidence) it may be something to do with the religious concept of "The True Vine". Were the cottages of about the same vintage - if so, you may have a lead. Cheers Rose Braisby Looking for Braisby and Hulland families wherever, whenever. -----Original Message----- From: La Greenall [mailto:animaus@ntlworld.com] Sent: 29 April 2005 15:27 To: SOG-UK-L@rootsweb.com Subject: RE: [SoG] House naming patterns We can only guess at this unless documentary sources reveal anything concrete. It is almost certainly pure coincidence - your ancestors may even have picked cottages 2 and 3 simply because they had the same name as No. 1 - though there might be a VERY remote possibility of an occupational link? If this were at all likely, then I should think that strong supporting evidence, such as associated land-use (e.g. a vineyard?) would have to exist in context with most or all 3 of the cottages, in old maps, plans, etc. My father's house, built in 1906, is called "The Brandens" (sic). It is a semi, and next door is called "Melbreak." For decades no-one knew the reason for these names, until a lady knocked on the door one day and said she lived in our house in the 50s. During a guided tour (of our 20-year-old wallpaper!) she said that the two houses were named after mountains, and sure enough, there turns out to be a 'Melbreak' in the Peak District, though I've yet to find 'the Brandens.' If I succeed, then I could claim to have grown up in one of the only two mountains of Essex! A number of houses are called 'the Brandons' (sic,) which may be something to do with a Suffolk placename, I suppose. Lawrence -----Original Message----- From: Graham Ward [mailto:graham.ward@gmx.net] Sent: 28 April 2005 20:31 To: SOG-UK-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [SoG] House naming patterns This might not seem like a genealogy enquiry, but it is. Does anyone have any knowledge of house names? I have three branches of a family living in three separate villages between 1770 and 1870 but all chose the same house name - Vine Cottage. Is there evidence that names ran in families? Is this just a popular name? Is there any significance in the actual name "Vine Cottage"? Thanks Graham -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.10.3 - Release Date: 25/04/2005 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.0 - Release Date: 29/04/2005