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Genealogy - Old Irish naming conventions

Useful information on how children were named, which may help your family research.

Overview

As you carry out your family history search, the following information may be helpful.

Certain naming conventions were frequently used in the 1800s when granting first names to children. Please bear in mind that these conventions were not adhered to rigorously, but they can be a very useful guide.

Civil marriage certificates do not supply the names of the bride's mother nor of the groom's mother. A search for the marriage certificate of one of the fathers may result in multiple matches, making it difficult to be sure of the mother's name. The names of any children which the bride and groom may have together may suggest a possible solution to this problem.

For Sons

  1. The first son was named after the father's father.
  2. The second son was named after the mother's father.
  3. The third son was named after the father.
  4. The fourth son was named after the father's eldest brother.
  5. The fifth son was named after the mother's eldest brother.

For Daughters

  1. The first daughter was named after the mother's mother.
  2. The second daughter was named after the father's mother.
  3. The third daughter was named after the mother.
  4. The fourth daughter was named after the mother's eldest sister.
  5. The fifth daughter was named after the father's eldest sister.

Note

These patterns can be especially helpful when trying to distinguish between individuals with similar names in historical records. While not definitive, they often provide useful clues when combined with other sources.