As I understand it these are the traditional naming patterns, done to honor their forbears. But the pattern may be broken to honor a recently deceased relative or friend or admired person. So treat them as general guidelines, but not as written in stone requirements.
TRADITIONAL IRISH NAMING PATTERN
Edit: My blogger friend, Dara (from Ireland!) of Black Raven Genealogy blog, tells me the Irish naming pattern is correct but adds these caveats, "Bear in mind also, if a child died, their name was often given to the next child of that sex born and the names of grandparents also featured, especially in large families. It cannot be stressed enough though, the naming pattern was not universally followed!"
Edit: My blogger friend, Dara (from Ireland!) of Black Raven Genealogy blog, tells me the Irish naming pattern is correct but adds these caveats, "Bear in mind also, if a child died, their name was often given to the next child of that sex born and the names of grandparents also featured, especially in large families. It cannot be stressed enough though, the naming pattern was not universally followed!"
1st son named for his father's father
2nd son named for his mother's father
3rd son named for his father
4th son named for his father's oldest brother
5th son named for his father's second oldest brother or his mother's oldest brother
1st daughter named for her mother's mother
2nd daughter named for her father's mother
3rd daughter named for her mother
4th daughter named for her mother's oldest sister
5th daughter named for her mother's second oldest sister or her father's oldest sister
TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH NAMING PATTERN
1st son is named after his father's father
2nd son is named after his mother's father
3rd is named after his father's fraternal grandfather
4th son is named after his mother's maternal grandfather
5th son is named after his father's maternal grandfather
6th son is named after his mother's fraternal grandfather
7th - 10th sons are named after his father's great grandfathers
11th - 14th sons are named after his mother's great grand fathers
1st daughter is named after her mother's mother
2nd daughter is named after her father's mother
3rd daughter is named after her mother's fraternal grandmother
4th daughter is named after her fathers fraternal grandmother
5th daughter is named after her mother's maternal grandmother
6th daughter is named after her father's maternal grandmother
7th - 10th daughters are named after her mother's great grandmothers
11th - 14th daughters are named after her father's great grandmothers
If I have misunderstood the naming patterns, would someone please correct me in the comments below?
The Irish one is bang on, Jo. Bear in mind also, if a child died, their name was often given to the next child of that sex born and the names of grandparents also featured, especially in large families. It cannot be stressed enough though, the naming pattern was not universally followed!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dara, Good to know. I'll add your caveats to the post since I find myself referencig my own blog as a substitute memory, lol (and for others who may not make it to the comments.)
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