This traditional pattern for naming children was widely used in Ireland until the early 20th Century.
The pattern was not always adhered to, but when searching for individuals in families where the pattern can be seen to apply, it provides a useful guide to what an unknown name may be.
The same pattern is sometimes seen in England but its use there died out earlier.
eldest son |
named after the father's father |
2nd son |
named after the mother's father |
3rd son |
named after the father |
4th son |
named after the father's eldest brother |
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|
eldest daughter |
named after the mother's mother |
2nd daughter |
named after the father's mother |
3rd daughter |
named after the mother |
4th daughter |
named after the mother's eldest sister |