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Archiver > WLS-MERIONETHSHIRE > 2002-11 > 1036618030


From: "Aled Pugh" <>
Subject: [MER] Patronymics
Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 21:27:13 -0000


Re the recent emails on patronymics and the tradition of the children's surname being the father's christian name.



A further complication of patronymics is that the ELDEST son was given as surname the christian name of the grandfather and not the father. For example, my ancestor Edward Thomas from Trawsfynydd married Sarah Rees from Talyllyn in 1778 and they had six children. Their first three were David (bp 1778), Elinor (bp 1781) and Thomas (bp 1783). Elinor and Thomas's surname is EDWARD, after their father's christian name. However, the first born, David, has surname THOMAS, presumably because his grandfather's christian name was Thomas - and hence of course his son being named Edward Thomas. The last three children were Elizabeth (bp 1786), Rees (bp 1793) and Edward (bp 1799) and have surname THOMAS! I presume that this was because by the time they were born the patronymic tradition was being abandoned and children's surname was that of their father.



Alwyn, the above is my understanding of the effect of patronymics. Do say if I am wrong!



Rees Thomas's daughter Jane married Evan Pugh, born Llanfachreth. I look forward to hearing from other descendants of Edward and Sarah!



Aled Pugh'


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