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Archiver > GEN-MEDIEVAL > 2001-04 > 0986694598


From: Renia <>
Subject: Re: Surname as first name (was Re: Tomlinson, Elizabeth)
Date: Sun, 08 Apr 2001 02:49:58 +0100
References: <nltayl0-0704011259540001@atl-tgn-ydy-vty11.as.wcom.net>


"R. Battle" wrote:

> On 7 Apr 2001, Reedpcgen wrote:
>
> <snip>
> > As to tenants taking the surname of their overlord as given names, my most
> > frustrating case (because he seems to be my ancestor) is Bygod Eggleston,
> > baptized at Settrington, co. Yorks., which had been a holding of the Bygod
> > family for centuries. Yet his parentage has been found out (and corrected),
> > and I am denied by descent from the Bygod family, even though he clearly bore
> > that distinctive given name. Grrrrrr.
>
> This is similar to a situation in a family I am currently researching.
> William and Sarah Spencer had a son named Coningsby Spencer baptized 9 Sep
> 1652 in Pencombe, Herefordshire. The Coningsbys were some of the largest
> landowners in that area (supplying several M.P.s, J.P.s, sheriffs, etc.),
> and while it is tempting to suppose a connection of some sort the status
> of the the Spencers (most of them, including Coningsby, were shoemakers)
> makes this an unlikely proposition. He seems to have received the name
> merely due to the prominent position of the Coningsby family in that area.
>
> -Robert Battle

Common uses of surnames as Christian names in the 19th century:
1. The maiden name of the mother
2. The surname of a local or national hero e.g. Josiah Wedgwood Smith (or whatever)

3. The surname of a Godparent
4. The maiden name of a grandmother

Common uses of surnames as Christian names in the 17th century:
1. The surname of a family friend (who may well have been a Godparent)
2. The surname of a Godparent
3. The true patrynimic in lieu of an adopted surname

It's not impossible that the local gentry acted as Godparents to some of their
tenants, particularly if they were retainers of some degree.

Renia

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