Traditional Scottish naming conventions, widely used from the 1700s to the late 19th century, strictly followed a generational pattern to honor relatives, often repeating names across generations. First sons were named after the father’s father, second sons after the mother’s father, and third sons after the father.
Traditional Naming Patterns
- 1st Son: Father’s father
- 2nd Son: Mother’s father
- 3rd Son: Father
- 4th Son: Father’s oldest brother or grandfather
- 1st Daughter: Mother’s mother
- 2nd Daughter: Father’s mother
- 3rd Daughter: Mother
- 4th Daughter: Mother’s oldest sister or grandmother
Key Characteristics and Variations
- Re-use of Names: If a child died young, the name was often reused for a later child, which can cause confusion in records.
- Surnames as Middle Names: Mother’s maiden names were frequently used as middle names for children.
- Gaelic Variations: In the Highlands, Highland naming customs often used patronymics (e.g., mac for “son of” and nic for “daughter of”).
- Variations: While the pattern above is standard, sometimes the first two children were switched (mother’s side first).
Genealogical Impact
These conventions are exceptionally useful for identifying parents’ names when looking at a birth record, as the naming pattern helps determine the names of the grandparents. For instance, by finding the names of a child’s parents, you can often infer the grandparents’ names by applying the pattern in reverse.
Unfortunately, cousins in many families often shared the same given names, which can make tracking them through records a bit challenging. It becomes essential to confirm that each record truly belongs to the correct individual, such as distinguishing one John McKinley from another. Not all families followed this naming pattern, but it’s a good start!
Whispers in The Branches 