Not new, but good advice for those struggling to get back past the 1922 loss barrier in Ireland. https://irelandxo.com/ireland-xo/news/irish-naming-conventions-and-baptism-traditions.
Here’s my TL/DR verson:
Irish Naming Patterns and Traditions
Before the Mid-1900s
- Families followed a specific naming pattern for about 2 centuries.
- This pattern can help identify potential ancestor names.
Boys’ Names:
- Paternal grandfather
- Maternal grandfather
- Father
- Eldest paternal uncle
- And so on…
Girls’ Names (Less Strictly Followed):
- Maternal grandmother
- Paternal grandmother
- Mother
- Mother’s eldest sister
- And so on…
Exceptions:
- Parents shared the same name
- Child named after someone died young
- Priest rejected a Gaelic name
Middle Names:
- Not common for the poor
- Identified by father’s name (patronymic)
Surnames as Middle Names:
- Reserved for gentry or wealthy families
Double-Barrelled Surnames:
- Usually due to inheritance or marriage
Infant Deaths:
- Repetitive names suggest deceased child’s name being reused
Church Records:
- Important genealogical resource, but with gaps and omissions
- Baptism window: 28 years for couple, new baby every 1-5 years
Pre-Famine vs. Post-Famine Marriages:
- Pre-Famine: Younger groom, bride’s parish, siblings as witnesses
- Post-Famine: Older groom, inherits farm, seeks younger wife
Godparents:
- Siblings/in-laws for tenant farmers
- Close neighbors for Catholics after famine
- Wealthy families: relatives or prestigious friends
Tips:
- Unusual sponsor surnames suggest in-laws, key to research
- Follow sponsor’s surname to find new family branch