Naming Conventions and Alternative Surnames
1) Naming Conventions
The following may help you trace your ancestors as they followed a tradition when naming their children. Whilst it was common for these patterns to be followed, they were not followed in all cases. They often named them after their ancestors in the following fashion :-
1st son after Paternal Grandfather
2nd son after Maternal Grandfather
3rd son after Father
4th son after Father's eldest brother
5th son after Mother's eldest brother
6th son after Father's second brother
and son on...
1st daughter after Paternal Grandmother
2nd daughter after Maternal Grandmother
3rd daughter after Mother
4th daughter after Mother's eldest sister
5th daughter after Father's eldest sister
6th daughter after Mother's second sister
and so on...
In addition, certain forenames are interchangeable
Ann : Hannah, Nancy, Agnes
Christina : Christian, Cirsty
Dorothy : Dirphail
Elizabeth : Eliza, Liz, Betty, Beth, Bess
Grace : Grizel, Grissel
Isabell / Isobel : Bella, Isa
Isabella : Elizabeth, Sibella
Janet : Jean, Jane, Jessie, Chunnet, Channet
Margaret : Maggy, Maggie, Meg, Peggy
Mary : Polly
Sarah : Marion, Marian, Merran, Marran
Alexander : Sandy, Ecky, Alec, Alistair, Key
Donald : Daniel
Charles : Tearlach
Edward : Ned, Ted
Farquhar : Ferrichar
Godrey : Guar, Guarie, Gorrie
Hector : Eachunn
Hugh : Ewen
Ivor : Ivie
John : Jack, Jock, Ian
James : Jamie, Jim
Lachlan : Lachunn
Ludovick : Lauchlan
Peter : Patrick
Robert : Rob, Rab, Rabbie, Bob
Rodger : Roderick, Rory
If a girl was given a boy's name, usually 'ina' was added on to the end as in Jamesina, Andrewina. Often this was shortened to "Ina".
For more alternatives and the meanings of forenames, the Whatsinaname website might be able to help.
For more information on Middle Names.
For Gaelic/English forename alternatives, click here.
For Celtic Name of the British Isles, click here.
For First Names and their meanings click here.
2) Alternative Surnames - this is by no means a complete list.
McVurich, McMhuirrich, McMureach
Obrin, Obyrne, Oburn
McIIrevich, McGilreoch, McIIvorie
McShery, McSherrie, McShirrie
McDuffie or McDiffie
MacUlphaterick, McIIphadrig, McOphadrick, McIIfradraig, McOlphadraig
McIIphadrig (son of Patrick or Peter)
End of List