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General => The Common Room => The Lighter Side => Topic started by: Beeonthebay on Thursday 11 February 16 07:53 GMT (UK)

Title: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Beeonthebay on Thursday 11 February 16 07:53 GMT (UK)
Well serves me right for always moaning about my very common names, Williams, Brown (both sides), Smith and so on, always called Thomas, Elizabeth, John, Mary Ellen etc.

Today in my extended family I have come across ....drum roll....

Pool Rain McDonald !!!!

At first I thought it must be a transcription error, but no there it is plain to see on the baptism record.  I wondered if his mum and dad were the forerunners to the Beckhams and named their son after where he was conceived - a rainy day in Liverpool!!!   :o  ;D ;)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Thursday 11 February 16 08:06 GMT (UK)
Reminds of that story of how the American Indians named their children..... ::)
I recently found a collateral ancestor, Hamish Hustler Howard Coates.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: GUT on Thursday 11 February 16 08:14 GMT (UK)
Happy Emily Hannah Pretty Dodd
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Clarkey500 on Thursday 11 February 16 09:51 GMT (UK)
My 9x Great Grandmother was called Eulalia Furze. I kind of like the name! ;D

Edit: I forgot about Sexey Pool!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Thursday 11 February 16 09:59 GMT (UK)
I have a Ronald McDonald! In Scotland 1900's. Very distant by marriage, and his son was my ggfather's friend!  My grandsons think he's the most important person in our tree, and one of them told his class all about him in school morning talk!   😄😄. He also thought that next time we went to buy a burger, we could say he was his grandfather and he might get a free happy meal!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Flattybasher9 on Thursday 11 February 16 10:22 GMT (UK)
In June 1922, Edward Duck married Beatrice M Fussell at Wandsworth resulting in the birth of a son Donald Duck in September 1924 at Wandsworth. Donald went on to be a doctor after studying at Edinburgh.
Donald was the single handed general practitioner in Mallaig until retirement in 1993.
Was he known as the local "quack"?
I will leave that decision up to you.

Regards

Malky
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 11 February 16 10:31 GMT (UK)
Venadora Perry...often mistranscribed as VenceDora...I also have a Providence Butt  ;D ;D

Carol
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Flattybasher9 on Thursday 11 February 16 11:49 GMT (UK)
"I also have a Providence Butt"

Thank goodness for Alexander Fleming and the discovery of penicillin. There's hope for you yet.  ::) ::) ::)

Regards

Malky
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 11 February 16 12:00 GMT (UK)
Cheeky....I suppose I asked for that.. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Carol
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Janelle on Thursday 11 February 16 12:03 GMT (UK)
Doctor Radford b 1734 Kentisbeare, 5th child of William and Ann (nee Grant) and a brother of my Alice.

He is Doctor in the registers when he marries and dies. How does a vicar who would have a doctorate from a University let a tenant farmer chose this or any honorary title for a name?  Rhetorical me.  ::)

I hope these guys tried to counsel their flock and put up at least a token fight for the poor poppet that scores any of these nomenclatures.

Salute,

Janelle
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: starcat on Thursday 11 February 16 12:09 GMT (UK)
My 2x ggrandfather called his first daughter Anne & his second daughter Quintilia Elizabeth.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ansteynomad on Thursday 11 February 16 12:09 GMT (UK)
The Forskin family have provided endless amusement over the years.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Janelle on Thursday 11 February 16 12:10 GMT (UK)
Mind you my name is silly and typical mid 1900's made up.  ;D

I like it better than Michelle, Narelle, Rochelle.  ;)  and it almost rhymmes with my twin sister's name without her's having the elle spelling.

Salute,

Janelle ... some sort of girly Frenchified John
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: youngtug on Thursday 11 February 16 12:13 GMT (UK)
"I also have a Providence Butt"

Thank goodness for Alexander Fleming and the discovery of penicillin. There's hope for you yet.  ::) ::) ::)

Regards

Malky
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
Cheeky....I suppose I asked for that.. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Carol
  ::) ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: rachelralph on Thursday 11 February 16 13:07 GMT (UK)
Sellestana Anne Pamalena Lavinia Spencer. I reckon they called her Anne for ease though  ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ciderdrinker on Thursday 11 February 16 13:09 GMT (UK)
Hello
In my tree there's a

Paul Onion marrying Sarah Cheese in Bridgenorth

Ciderdrinker
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Saturday 13 February 16 03:05 GMT (UK)
I do have a Swan marrying a Bird in one of my wife's lines.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jbml on Saturday 13 February 16 08:23 GMT (UK)
I recently found the delightfully-named Keeling Brimstone.

He is not an ancestor - he is the servant of an ancestor who was a blacksmith, and I suspect that he was actually an employee in the forge rather than a "servant" in the domestic service sense.

He also witnessed one of the family wills, and was a beneficiary of another.

Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pharmaT on Saturday 13 February 16 11:45 GMT (UK)
I remember Dr Duck. Is he a relative Malky?

One of his patients ended up with a psych consult at an A&E far from home because they didn't believe the doctor he last saw was called Donald Duck.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Saturday 13 February 16 12:12 GMT (UK)
 ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Beeonthebay on Saturday 13 February 16 12:40 GMT (UK)
 
I remember Dr Duck. Is he a relative Malky?

One of his patients ended up with a psych consult at an A&E far from home because they didn't believe the doctor he last saw was called Donald Duck.

 ;D :P :o
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Clarkey500 on Saturday 13 February 16 13:38 GMT (UK)
I've got a Georges Armand Henri Joseph Masson de Fernig - quite a mouthful!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Flattybasher9 on Saturday 13 February 16 13:59 GMT (UK)
"I remember Dr Duck. Is he a relative Malky?"

No, but I did meet him some years ago when I was over the West Coast.

Regards


Malky
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Treetotal on Saturday 13 February 16 16:57 GMT (UK)
Hello
In my tree there's a

Paul Onion marrying Sarah Cheese in Bridgenorth

Ciderdrinker

I like that... ;D ;D ;D

Carol
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: snooziflooze on Saturday 13 February 16 17:26 GMT (UK)
Mine are a bit boring in comparison, but I've got a William Chapman who worked as a butcher, marrying an Elizabeth Ham... :)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Viktoria on Saturday 13 February 16 22:00 GMT (UK)
Onesiphorus. I think they might have a cure for it nowadays!
A child at a school where I worked years ago  was names after Jamie Leigh Curtis but it was spelled Jammie. She was lovely but I can imagine it caused her some problems as she got older .

Names in Cromwellian times were unusual by today`s standards, they were  phrases from the Bible, can`t bring one to mind but things like"Saints in Glory" Jones
and "Fight the Devil"Smith           .Viktoria.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Ayashi on Saturday 13 February 16 22:40 GMT (UK)
Funny you should say that, I came across an Onesiphorus the other day, had to check the image. I found another one another time called Mahershalalhashbaz... I understand naming your child Luke, Mark, Peter, Moses etc... but why would you inflict that on your child and yourself? "Mahershalalhashbaz, come back here! Mahershalalhashbaz, stop that!"

I have one in my tree called Septimus Hine, which I still think sounds like something you need a cream for.

We were discussing this the other day in chat, with such gems as "One Two Many Gouldstone" (1870) and "Lightfoot Longbottom" (1900).
You can look it up on Ancestry birth entries if you don't believe me... 1842, Leeds, Yorkshire... Ellis Poo Poo. I feel there has to have been a mistake there, SURELY?  ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Saturday 13 February 16 22:43 GMT (UK)
Ayashi,
the link was disabled by Google.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Ayashi on Saturday 13 February 16 22:49 GMT (UK)
Yeah, I tried it out after I posted it and it didn't work so I removed it :) Shame!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Saturday 13 February 16 23:05 GMT (UK)
The other name you mentioned, Mahershalalhashbaz, I think is from the Old Testament.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Ayashi on Saturday 13 February 16 23:08 GMT (UK)
Yes, both Mahershalalhashbaz and Onesiphorus are from the Bible, hence my comment about Luke etc. If you want to name your child something Biblical, why go for something that sadomasochistic?  ::)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Saturday 13 February 16 23:12 GMT (UK)
I guess if they liked a particular passage from the Bible, they could have used a name from it. Alternatively, it might have been like these days, with all of the "unique" spellings, just to set a child apart.  ::)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Treetotal on Sunday 14 February 16 00:09 GMT (UK)
Just imagine the future searching for children with modern names like Apple, Peaches and Honey...it will read more like a shopping list  ;D
Carol
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Sunday 14 February 16 00:18 GMT (UK)
A couple we have known through work named their son with an alternative version of his first name, and his middle name is what I always considered to be the feminine version.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: barryd on Sunday 14 February 16 03:56 GMT (UK)
I have quite a few Freak family members in my line. With variants they are sometimes quite hard to find . Mine are mostly from County Durham.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: bevbee on Sunday 14 February 16 13:44 GMT (UK)
I have a Haddock Ambrose. :P
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ScouseBoy on Sunday 14 February 16 13:53 GMT (UK)
I recall someone being named Malandra,  taking part of the fathers name Malcolm  with part of the mothers name Sandra.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Peffness on Sunday 14 February 16 14:07 GMT (UK)
I have an ancestor called Ursula Crapnill (lived in Suffolk in the late 17th century) which I think is an amazing name.

A few generations later and you have the equally fabulous Jabez Aldous, Thirza Aldous and Mahala Aldous... who went on to have a daughter called Mahala Root.

Also the sister of one of my ancestor's was recorded as Sythey Soulsby on the 1841 census, but there's a baptism record where her first name is recorded as Psyche.

I've also discovered that for 150 years there was at least one person called Moses on my dad's side - the most recent died in the 1970s!

Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Bearnan on Sunday 14 February 16 15:05 GMT (UK)
My cousin has Faith, Hope and Charity - triplets, on her tree.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a-l on Sunday 14 February 16 16:26 GMT (UK)
I found a Onesiphorous Power , might be a change from electricity! Another which amuses me is Ednott Wright.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Viktoria on Sunday 14 February 16 19:36 GMT (UK)
Yes, both Mahershalalhashbaz and Onesiphorus are from the Bible, hence my comment about Luke etc. If you want to name your child something Biblical, why go for something that sadomasochistic?  ::)
A down to earth family near us many years ago had down to earth names such as , Fred, Joe , Alfie
but the first little girl was more exotically named so when she was old enough to join her brothers "playing out", Mum would shout out"Fred, Joe ,Alfie, Eric Jim, Charmain, dinner`s ready ".[/Sadomasochistic does have a certain ring!  :D :Dquote]

                                                       Viktoria.

Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: giggsycat on Sunday 14 February 16 19:45 GMT (UK)
I recall someone being named Malandra,  taking part of the fathers name Malcolm  with part of the mothers name Sandra.

That would be actress Malandra Burrows who played the part of Kathy Glover in Emmerdale for many years.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: snooziflooze on Sunday 14 February 16 20:26 GMT (UK)
Well, I've just come across a Mr Foulk Rainbow, gentleman, widower, getting married in Banbury, Oxon, in 1737...

Oh and further up the page, a Ruth Ghost getting married in 1812.  Didn't realise Ghost could be a surname. :D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Ayashi on Sunday 14 February 16 22:55 GMT (UK)
One thing that always bemused me was the use of "Bastard" as a surname... Surely that's not something that one would want to advertise?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Monday 15 February 16 00:34 GMT (UK)
Another one like that - Death - sometimes recorded as D'Ath. 
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: SoftRain on Monday 15 February 16 00:36 GMT (UK)
I've had such a chuckle reading these posts.  Most of mine are run of the mill names, however I did come across a lady in my family baptised Victoria Jubilee Ellen in Dublin in June 1897 which was Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.  I think it's quite a nice name myself.  I suppose she should thank herself lucky they didn't name her Diamond!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: kjb on Monday 15 February 16 13:17 GMT (UK)
My 9x Great Grandmother was called Eulalia Furze. I kind of like the name! ;D

Edit: I forgot about Sexey Pool!

I just found a Eulalia Furze too! My 7x Great Grandmother (b. Somerset, circa 1695) Interesting name.  Eulalia possibly Spanish :) No idea about the origins of 'Furze' It was her maiden name, married a John Burston.

oh, and just to add -

I have an Ancestor named Flaad, a 7x Great Grandfather named Eliphalet (have no idea how to pronounce, so I just call him Eli), a 5 x Great Grandmother Comfort (named after her gr gr Grandfather), and relatives Thankful, Mercy, and Ichabod

Also, a 4x Great Grandmother named Argent, and a 3x Great Aunt Plazy Bedingfield Ellis

My son has a Great Grandfather Ransom.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: GUT on Monday 15 February 16 21:59 GMT (UK)
Had a teacher whose middle name was Anzac, because he was born on Anzac Day.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: kjb on Monday 15 February 16 22:45 GMT (UK)
Had a teacher whose middle name was Anzac, because he was born on Anzac Day.

We recently did some research on a man named Federal (he was born 1901).  They called him Fred :)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: GUT on Monday 15 February 16 22:51 GMT (UK)
Also had the wonderfully named Fulk(e)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: kjb on Monday 15 February 16 23:37 GMT (UK)
I also had a 3x gr Uncle Valentine - born on Valentine's Day :)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Tuesday 16 February 16 00:13 GMT (UK)
An interesting one was a Christian name of Banfree, I thought what a strange name, but on looking at the image the name was Winifred!

So much for all the trees on Ancestry that have her as Banfree, obviously hadn't looked at the source document!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a chesters on Tuesday 16 February 16 03:41 GMT (UK)
On OH's side I have an Oswald Septimus, a Stewart Anzac, presumably born at the time, and a couple of Sampsons, father and son ::)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Tuesday 16 February 16 05:31 GMT (UK)
I have a relative whose middle name is Royal, as he was born in the year of Queen Elizabeth's coronation.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ThrelfallYorky on Tuesday 16 February 16 17:08 GMT (UK)
I think in the North of England, the baptismal name "Doctor" was often used for e seventh child (or it may have been a seventh son). There was some sort of feeling that such a child would be gifted in healing, I was told.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: coombs on Tuesday 16 February 16 17:15 GMT (UK)
One ancestor sibling married a woman called Spanisher Robson.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Beeonthebay on Tuesday 16 February 16 18:15 GMT (UK)
I have a relative whose middle name is Royal, as he was born in the year of Queen Elizabeth's coronation.

So was I, but my middle name is ................Elizabeth.  I'd have quite liked Royal.  :D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Sharon01 on Tuesday 16 February 16 18:52 GMT (UK)
Nothing really strange with my lot except the name Stewart being used as a girls name for a few generations.

Sharon.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pharmaT on Wednesday 17 February 16 11:26 GMT (UK)
Nothing really strange with my lot except the name Stewart being used as a girls name for a few generations.

Sharon.

I have a Willie in my tree who is a girl.  I initially saw it on the census (she's my 4xgrt aunt)  and wondered if either it was an error saying female or if it was short for Wilhelmina.  Turns out her name was just Willie, I don't know why.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: bibliotaphist on Wednesday 17 February 16 11:59 GMT (UK)
Had a teacher whose middle name was Anzac, because he was born on Anzac Day.
I have a relative in my tree whose middle name was Anzac. His father fought at Gallipoli.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: coombs on Wednesday 17 February 16 12:12 GMT (UK)
In searches of Coombs I found a lady called Catherine Eltham Coombs, born in Eltham, London. First time I found a person with a middle name of her birthplace.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: sonofthom on Wednesday 17 February 16 12:16 GMT (UK)
Willie as a female name seems quite common in America. The great Willie Mae Thornton, also known as Big Mama, recorded the original "Hound Dog" and Robert Johnson fans will recognise the line "Wiliie Mae, you will be my wife some day"
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: sonofthom on Wednesday 17 February 16 12:18 GMT (UK)
Not an ancestor, but when working in insurance I came across a Victoria Plumtree. I also remember Raspberry as the middle name of a man.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Lostris on Wednesday 17 February 16 15:07 GMT (UK)
Sarai Harridan - most unpleasant and apt name  8)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: GUT on Wednesday 17 February 16 19:19 GMT (UK)
I recently found a flowergirl at an ancestors wedding Bill Betzal, yep flower GIRL.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Wednesday 17 February 16 19:39 GMT (UK)
Willie as a female name seems quite common in America. The great Willie Mae Thornton, also known as Big Mama, recorded the original "Hound Dog" and Robert Johnson fans will recognise the line "Wiliie Mae, you will be my wife some day"

Nice to see someone else with great taste in music.  ;)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Wednesday 17 February 16 19:40 GMT (UK)
I recently found a flowergirl at an ancestors wedding Bill Betzal, yep flower GIRL.

Billie Piper? Terrible singer, but a much better actress.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: GUT on Wednesday 17 February 16 19:42 GMT (UK)
I recently found a flowergirl at an ancestors wedding Bill Betzal, yep flower GIRL.

Billie Piper? Terrible singer, but a much better actress.
Billie I've come across before, and Bobby, but never just Bill.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geoff-E on Thursday 18 February 16 10:22 GMT (UK)
:)

Age and birthplace were of course "N.K."
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: despair on Friday 19 February 16 20:36 GMT (UK)
Going back to Ayashi's post,there was a local landlord whose surname was Bastard.I obviously won't reveal his first name,but all his customers thought it should be Robin.


Regards
Roger
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: coombs on Friday 19 February 16 23:07 GMT (UK)
I have a ancestor sibling who wed a Kerrenhappuch Prentice. A name very easily mistranscribed.

Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Lisajb on Tuesday 23 February 16 21:25 GMT (UK)
Spark Edward Adams - I was convinced it was a nickname that was put on the census for him, but no, he's listed on every census from 1871 to 1911 as Spark, and birth and death registrations are for Spark as well.

I haven't found a baptism yet, maybe the parents (who are a very ordinary George and Mary) just didn't dare....

There's a sister too - a slightly exotic Lucilla.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Treetotal on Tuesday 23 February 16 23:01 GMT (UK)
Spark Edward Adams - I was convinced it was a nickname that was put on the census for him, but no, he's listed on every census from 1871 to 1911 as Spark, and birth and death registrations are for Spark as well.

I haven't found a baptism yet, maybe the parents (who are a very ordinary George and Mary) just didn't dare....

There's a sister too - a slightly exotic Lucilla.
.

I have a Lucilla and You are the only person that I have come across who has someone with this name in her family.
Carol
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: rachelralph on Friday 26 February 16 17:33 GMT (UK)
not in my tree but i learnt today that my son has a friend called Sam Bridges! i mean seriously?! did this childs parents dont not think?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: despair on Friday 26 February 16 18:45 GMT (UK)
Well bred?

Regards
Roger
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jbml on Wednesday 16 March 16 13:41 GMT (UK)
Keeling Brimstone

Not a relative ... but an ancestor's servant (probably employee in his forge)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: John915 on Wednesday 16 March 16 19:46 GMT (UK)
Good evening,

I have a few on one line, Rose, used several times down the line. On the male side of the Fullers.

French Fuller and Ashburnham Fuller also appear.

I also came across these albeit not on my tree;
Leo Quintus Tollemache Tollemache de Orellana Plantagenet Tollemache Tollemache,
and his younger brother;
Leone Sextus Denys Oswolf Tollemach Tollemache ....................

They are 5 and 6 in the family and the others all have equally strange names.

John915

5th and 6th boys that is, the girls were not in the numbering system.

Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Janelle on Thursday 17 March 16 11:27 GMT (UK)
not in my tree but i learnt today that my son has a friend called Sam Bridges! i mean seriously?! did this childs parents dont not think?

Not Woody   ::)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: JAKnighton on Thursday 17 March 16 18:47 GMT (UK)
One of my ancestors had the first name "Sweatman".

Of course it turned out to be his mother's maiden name so it wasn't completely random, just seems to be an odd choice.

It became a family name and was used for at least two generations afterwards!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Beeonthebay on Thursday 17 March 16 19:58 GMT (UK)
Good evening,

I have a few on one line, Rose, used several times down the line. On the male side of the Fullers.

French Fuller and Ashburnham Fuller also appear.

I also came across these albeit not on my tree;
Leo Quintus Tollemache Tollemache de Orellana Plantagenet Tollemache Tollemache,
and his younger brother;
Leone Sextus Denys Oswolf Tollemach Tollemache ....................

They are 5 and 6 in the family and the others all have equally strange names.

John915

5th and 6th boys that is, the girls were not in the numbering system.

I think this may be in the Guinness Record Books or something as I've come across this one before......  :P
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a chesters on Thursday 17 March 16 22:48 GMT (UK)
I also came across these albeit not on my tree;
Leo Quintus Tollemache Tollemache de Orellana Plantagenet Tollemache Tollemache,
and his younger brother;
Leone Sextus Denys Oswolf Tollemach Tollemache ....................

They are 5 and 6 in the family and the others all have equally strange names.

John915

5th and 6th boys that is, the girls were not in the numbering system.



Don't the girls count :'( :'(
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: barryd on Thursday 17 March 16 23:17 GMT (UK)
The surname OUTLAW .

Free BMD 1837-1976. Too numerous to count.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Rudolf H B on Thursday 17 March 16 23:28 GMT (UK)
Alois Fleischhacker -Anmeldestelle für Bestattung (not an ancestor, but a display in Austria)

Aloys(ius) Meat Hacker - notifying agency for funerals
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: sami on Sunday 20 March 16 16:24 GMT (UK)
.....the first name: Danger

.....the surname: Twelves
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Rishile on Wednesday 23 March 16 12:20 GMT (UK)
I have just been doing some transcribing and came across LIEF HOFF

Poor bloke.

Rishile
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: fiddlerslass on Wednesday 23 March 16 13:18 GMT (UK)
my Thompson family -  Mary Ann known as Polly had a daughter called Etheline -  fortunately the daughter's first name was Frances. Disappointingly the birth was registered as Frances Eveline

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XSCV-GJJ
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Marmalady on Wednesday 23 March 16 13:29 GMT (UK)
Not a relation so far as I know:

Ethelbert Edar Helps born Wincanton 1873, died Farnworth 1942
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Thornwood on Wednesday 23 March 16 18:51 GMT (UK)
A solicitors partnership in Leamington Spa-   Wright Hassel.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Mark1973 on Thursday 31 March 16 13:38 BST (UK)
I was researching for someone and found the name 'Crotchrode Whiffin'.

Sounds like something you get from sitting on a horse too long!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Yonks Ago on Thursday 31 March 16 14:00 BST (UK)

From Texas US...parents James and Sarah [nee.. Stinson] named their daughter Ima HOGG

Yonks
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Andrew Tarr on Thursday 31 March 16 14:55 BST (UK)
American composer Adolphus Hailstork must be fairly unusual?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: MaryThorn on Thursday 31 March 16 20:38 BST (UK)
Not sure how unusual these count as but for my family and my area the following are unusual names.

My 2 X great grandfather was called Randle.  The name continued for some time and apparently still continues with some distant relatives in America.

 Randle had a son called Septimus, also a unusual name for my area.

Also on my other side we had a Rinean, this name didn't continue though.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: johncrowner on Saturday 02 April 16 06:50 BST (UK)
slightly of topic, but years ago, at secondary school I had a friend called Reginald Baker. He always appeared to be aloof, far better than the rest of us. We left school and lost touch. The last I heard was that he had changed his name and become an officer in the army. His new name? Reginald Gordon Leslie William Baker De Sugg. I often wondered how his service career went!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: CarolA3 on Saturday 02 April 16 18:14 BST (UK)
From Texas US...parents James and Sarah [nee.. Stinson] named their daughter Ima HOGG

Better known by her stage name - Miss Piggy?

Carol
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Sunday 03 April 16 03:46 BST (UK)
  ;D ;D ;D ;D yes very definitely very famous!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: coombs on Sunday 03 April 16 19:05 BST (UK)
I even found a tree on Anc had a distant relative by marriage, James Lee, whose mother was listed as Helen Wepperton. No such surname exists though, Wepperton lol.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Rudolf H B on Monday 04 April 16 17:36 BST (UK)
Hi johncrowner,

Reggie von Zugbach de Sugg  (Reginald Baker)

author, a former Army major (RAOC) and a lecturer in management studies at Paisley university.
http://jennyrad.blogspot.de/2007/02/professor-reggie-von-zurbach.html (http://jennyrad.blogspot.de/2007/02/professor-reggie-von-zurbach.html)

Regards Rudolf
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ThrelfallYorky on Tuesday 19 April 16 17:07 BST (UK)
Whilst hunting in vain (as usual) for a 1871 census entry for direct ancestor called Ann Newbold (orBrailsford!) b 1855 in Derby, (who was remarkably consistent about her age and place of birth throughout her life on every other census 1861 - 1911,) I came upon one with the wonderfully named - deep breath:
Onesiphorous Coltman (60) in 1871 Loughborough!!!
It almost made up for never having being able to track down Ann in 1871!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: barryd on Tuesday 19 April 16 18:25 BST (UK)
Admonition Drew,  baptized 9 October 1768, Stoke Damerel, Devon, England

Admonition: a piece of ​advice that is also a ​warning to someone about ​their ​behaviour.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Beeonthebay on Tuesday 19 April 16 19:49 BST (UK)
Whilst hunting in vain (as usual) for a 1871 census entry for direct ancestor called Ann Newbold (orBrailsford!) b 1855 in Derby, (who was remarkably consistent about her age and place of birth throughout her life on every other census 1861 - 1911,) I came upon one with the wonderfully named - deep breath:
Onesiphorous Coltman (60) in 1871 Loughborough!!!
It almost made up for never having being able to track down Ann in 1871!

Did he/she have a sibling called Oneisagainstus?  ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: hms racker on Tuesday 19 April 16 20:49 BST (UK)
Hi

First name Phanuel.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: sharonmx5 on Tuesday 19 April 16 21:23 BST (UK)
Recently, first name Aquila.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ThrelfallYorky on Wednesday 20 April 16 17:22 BST (UK)
Dunno what Onesiphorous's siblings, if any, were called - but I like your suggestion, BeeontheBay!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Wednesday 20 April 16 22:53 BST (UK)
I also have a collateral ancestor, Cephas Towan Nancarrow. Towan is a name passed down from a maiden name. Cephas being the Aramaic name of Peter.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: dolly dimples on Wednesday 20 April 16 23:20 BST (UK)
I have a scottish  ancestor named Janet Smellie.  I'm not even going to say what her husbands' second name was  :o   Dolly x
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ThrelfallYorky on Thursday 21 April 16 15:49 BST (UK)
Ah, I'd always though "Cephan" related to "Stephen". I'll have to look at one or two scottish Cephans and Clephans again! You learn something on here every day.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Duodecem on Thursday 21 April 16 16:17 BST (UK)
I also have a collateral ancestor, Cephas Towan Nancarrow. Towan is a name passed down from a maiden name. Cephas being the Aramaic name of Peter.
Looks like you've got Cornish ancestry Nancarrow and Towan are both Cornish names. Towan is a headland and beach in Newquay.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Thursday 21 April 16 22:25 BST (UK)
I also have a collateral ancestor, Cephas Towan Nancarrow. Towan is a name passed down from a maiden name. Cephas being the Aramaic name of Peter.
Looks like you've got Cornish ancestry Nancarrow and Towan are both Cornish names. Towan is a headland and beach in Newquay.

I most certainly do. My maternal grandfather was of 100% Cornish ancestry, despite both he and his father being born in Australia. Elizabeth Nancarrow was his grandmother; she came out here on the "City of Adelaide" as a widow with her two young daughters. The Nacarrow's came from Illogan and Redruth.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Thursday 21 April 16 22:28 BST (UK)
Ah, I'd always though "Cephan" related to "Stephen". I'll have to look at one or two scottish Cephans and Clephans again! You learn something on here every day.
Apparently when Jesus referred to Peter/Cephas as his "rock", the translators took this literally (or had a bit of fun) and translated Cephas as Peter, from the Greek for rock.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ThrelfallYorky on Friday 22 April 16 14:28 BST (UK)
Thanks, it's always good to learn something.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Duodecem on Friday 22 April 16 15:35 BST (UK)
I also have a collateral ancestor, Cephas Towan Nancarrow. Towan is a name passed down from a maiden name. Cephas being the Aramaic name of Peter.
Looks like you've got Cornish ancestry Nancarrow and Towan are both Cornish names. Towan is a headland and beach in Newquay.

I most certainly do. My maternal grandfather was of 100% Cornish ancestry, despite both he and his father being born in Australia. Elizabeth Nancarrow was his grandmother; she came out here on the "City of Adelaide" as a widow with her two young daughters. The Nacarrow's came from Illogan and Redruth.

That's a coincidence-I did a teaching practice in Illogan, back when the tin mines were still working. It was quite a big village and very different to the picture postcard image of Cornwall. I was at college in Exmouth and it seemed very remote travelling more than 100 miles away to a place I'd never heard of. I was happy there and loved the school. I was there when the 1971 census was taken. Strange to think how that may confuse my descendants if any of them get the family history "bug"!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Monday 25 April 16 00:34 BST (UK)


My Cornish ancestors have been devils to research, two of them come to mind with regards to oddest names

Gaverigan Tippett ~ there are a couple of us stuck on this fellow on RC , you'd think with that sort of forename it would be easy ~ no such luck  ;D

Loveday Goninan ~ I love this name :)

claire
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Monday 25 April 16 21:22 BST (UK)
Sounds like a knight of the Round Table, Claire. Sir Gaverigan of Tippett.  ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Monday 25 April 16 22:30 BST (UK)
Hi Darren,

I wish  ;D ...a Sir indeed!

Although just found this, don't know how I've missed it

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=730827.0

I'm right excited

claire

Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: suzard on Monday 25 April 16 22:46 BST (UK)
I was at school with Dianne Rea - she was always referred to as Di Rea!!!

...and there was Primrose Sparrow - referred to as Daisy Crow!!

Suz
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Tuesday 26 April 16 09:08 BST (UK)
Hi Darren,

I wish  ;D ...a Sir indeed!

Although just found this, don't know how I've missed it

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=730827.0

I'm right excited

claire

That looks very promising, Claire.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Tuesday 26 April 16 09:16 BST (UK)

Hi Darren,

It does sound promising, I'll have to see a baptism before I believe it mind, TIPPETT or variant is my direct line, it would be great to get back that bit further.

Thanks for the post Darren  :)

claire
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Tuesday 26 April 16 11:51 BST (UK)
Just been scouring old Suffolk directories for ancestors and came across these names in the Ipswich section:
Wray Palliser Lamb
Tampion Brownsmith
Philadelphia Tempany
Octavian Royle
Margerum Fox
Cutting Green
William Bell Horn
John Heigho
Jeremiah Licence
and under the heading of Bird and Animal Preservers, I found Edward BIRD and James GULL.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Beeonthebay on Tuesday 26 April 16 13:04 BST (UK)
Just been scouring old Suffolk directories for ancestors and came across these names in the Ipswich section:
Wray Palliser Lamb
Tampion Brownsmith
Philadelphia Tempany
Octavian Royle
Margerum Fox
Cutting Green
William Bell Horn
John Heigho
Jeremiah Licence
and under the heading of Bird and Animal Preservers, I found Edward BIRD and James GULL.

 :D

If only I had names like this to work with.  :-\
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Tuesday 26 April 16 14:11 BST (UK)
I don't envy anyone trying to research Cutting Green, though! My late husband has Cuttings in his family tree and it's murder when you're having to wade through what feels like three million references to "wood cutting" or "railway cutting" and the like while doing online searches. Searching just for "Green" would be even worse! (Poor Cutting sounds rather like a lawn, actually  ;D)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a-l on Tuesday 26 April 16 14:20 BST (UK)
I came across a few Lettice Gardeners . I do wonder whether it was intentional .
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Tuesday 26 April 16 14:41 BST (UK)
Yes I wonder if some of the transcribers have a sense of humour  :)

1901 census has a

LETHER BAGuley

Should be Lettice Baguley.

Made me laugh  :)

Claire :D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Tuesday 26 April 16 21:30 BST (UK)
I don't envy anyone trying to research Cutting Green, though! My late husband has Cuttings in his family tree and it's murder when you're having to wade through what feels like three million references to "wood cutting" or "railway cutting" and the like while doing online searches. Searching just for "Green" would be even worse! (Poor Cutting sounds rather like a lawn, actually  ;D)

You should try Pine in a directory or newspaper search.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: coombs on Tuesday 26 April 16 21:46 BST (UK)
Augustus Oliphant Cunnew. They may say easy to trace but such names have more spelling variants and mistrancriptions.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a chesters on Wednesday 27 April 16 04:51 BST (UK)
I don't envy anyone trying to research Cutting Green, though! My late husband has Cuttings in his family tree and it's murder when you're having to wade through what feels like three million references to "wood cutting" or "railway cutting" and the like while doing online searches. Searching just for "Green" would be even worse! (Poor Cutting sounds rather like a lawn, actually  ;D)

You should try Pine in a directory or newspaper search.

Macarthur on Trove gets lots of hits for Douglas Macarthur, General, but none that I have been able to filter out for James, accountant  :-X :-X :-X
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Wednesday 27 April 16 05:46 BST (UK)
Was he maybe an Accountant with Broken Hill Company?

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66308975/6582205

More James McArthurs here  - 
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/result?q=James+McArthur


Jeanne
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a chesters on Wednesday 27 April 16 06:21 BST (UK)
No, he was a Sydneysider, working, at first for the "Balmain Light and Power Company". 1892 is a little too early, as he came to Oz in 1922.

I never put in McArthur, as he was a Macarthur. It does make a great difference.
That could be why I got tangled with the general :'( :'(
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Wednesday 27 April 16 08:35 BST (UK)
There is a plaque to General MacArthur on the railway platform at Terowie, in South Australia's mid-north. That is where he uttered his now-famous phrase, "I shall return!"
Not much else at Terowie, mind you.  ::)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Wednesday 27 April 16 09:10 BST (UK)
I sympathise, Pine! Slightly off-topic, I know, but searching for "cork cutters" or anything related is a nightmare too as I keep getting hits for the city of Cork in Ireland.

I agree with you, Coombs. The weirder the name the harder it is to guess any likely variations.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Beeonthebay on Wednesday 27 April 16 09:26 BST (UK)
Try Brown on both sides  :o with absolutely no imagination with Christian names.  ::)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Wednesday 27 April 16 09:42 BST (UK)
And I can just about guarantee there must have been at least 55 thousand men in Durham with the name of Whitefield Watson whose father is Joseph!  🤔🤔🤔. In my time frames for them!  And they're all miners, YAY!

Those are my great grandfather and his father's names! It's been pretty hopeless trying to get back much further without any definite marriage info, or a birth for Joseph Watson or his wife Elizabeth.

Oh well - one day!  I have good clues, but no documentary proof! 
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Beeonthebay on Wednesday 27 April 16 10:19 BST (UK)
And I can just about guarantee there must have been at least 55 thousand men in Durham with the name of Whitefield Watson whose father is Joseph!  🤔🤔🤔. In my time frames for them!  And they're all miners, YAY!

Those are my great grandfather and his father's names! It's been pretty hopeless trying to get back much further without any definite marriage info, or a birth for Joseph Watson or his wife Elizabeth.

Oh well - one day!  I have good clues, but no documentary proof!

Why don't you make a post on Rootschat for the super sleths? I bet they'll crack it !!!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Wednesday 27 April 16 11:21 BST (UK)
I've had quite a few goes on here with my Watsons Bee - and had some great help, but currently letting them rest for a while! 😄😄
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Beeonthebay on Wednesday 27 April 16 11:34 BST (UK)
Yes sometimes you need a break!!!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Wednesday 27 April 16 12:00 BST (UK)
You're so right! Watsons are my maternal family, England and Scotland, and Mathews are paternal. So I've been working on the Mathews England, Scotland, Canada again, and theirs for a while.  They have their missing people as well, namely women with no maiden names- you might guess - they're Irish!!

Oh well, as I said before - one day!  In the meantime - I'm in the playrooms!!  ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Wednesday 27 April 16 16:05 BST (UK)
Irish ancestors can be almost impossible to trace. Most of the time the UK censuses just state that they're born in Ireland - no county, no town name. In addition, my husband's lot were bricklayer's labourers, and either illiterate or barely literate, so there were some very odd spellings of their names, and they kept changing their minds about how old they were (probably because they had no real idea!) with each census.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: coombs on Wednesday 27 April 16 16:33 BST (UK)
And I can just about guarantee there must have been at least 55 thousand men in Durham with the name of Whitefield Watson whose father is Joseph!  🤔🤔🤔. In my time frames for them!  And they're all miners, YAY!

Those are my great grandfather and his father's names! It's been pretty hopeless trying to get back much further without any definite marriage info, or a birth for Joseph Watson or his wife Elizabeth.

Oh well - one day!  I have good clues, but no documentary proof!

I have Durham ancestors and find Durham can be like Wales, a county with a limited amount of surnames. I have 2 lines of Richardsons there, and have had many headaches with my Wilson family. But some odd names have been found, odd first names. Spanisher Robson.

99% of my Durham rellies were miners.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Thursday 28 April 16 09:30 BST (UK)
Thank goodness my Mum's Sunderland ancestors are Swinhoes who are slightly easier to track down, but the downside is that there are hundreds of variations on the name and virtually all of them are seamen or boilermaker/platers. Her gran was a Marshall by birth, though, and Marshalls are as numerous as Watsons, up north!

Years ago, in South Africa, we used to drive past a hoarding advertising "Human and Pitt, Undertakers." Rather appropriate. I always wondered if they went into the business together because of their surnames or if the choice of occupation was a "happy" accident.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a-l on Thursday 28 April 16 13:36 BST (UK)
I saw one yesterday that I haven't seen before, a lady named Effeness ( forename).
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Beeonthebay on Thursday 28 April 16 15:19 BST (UK)
Sounds like a clothes shop.  F & S.  :)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a-l on Thursday 28 April 16 16:30 BST (UK)
hehe so it does
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Thursday 28 April 16 17:46 BST (UK)
Or a fizzy tablet
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a-l on Thursday 28 April 16 17:49 BST (UK)
hehe. I wondered if it could be the origin of Effie.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ScouseBoy on Sunday 01 May 16 12:54 BST (UK)
There is someone in our town with the first  name Christmas
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: GrahamSimons on Sunday 01 May 16 15:07 BST (UK)
There is someone in our town with the first  name Christmas

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Humphreys was a Buddhist convert - not quite an appropriate name for him in the end!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: dolly dimples on Sunday 01 May 16 15:37 BST (UK)
I received a post once from a Mr Christmas, we had the same ancestors...     
                           Imagine Mr Christmas Christmas.   Lovely!
                                  Dolly
                           
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Sunday 01 May 16 19:46 BST (UK)
A friend of mine has a John Christmas Royall in his family tree. It seems to be quite a common name in Norfolk as I've come across it there a few times since.

How about Venus as a first name? There's an author who has written a book about making clothes for costume dolls, called Venus A. Dodge.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Sunday 01 May 16 19:52 BST (UK)
I'm reminded of Lee Christmas, a colourful character.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Christmas

And I'm not talking about the film character either.  ::)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Aussie Roy on Tuesday 03 May 16 03:39 BST (UK)
12 years of searching has brought up a few. I was searching for a 'fanny' wife or William Wingate on my wife's side..  Fanny Upward was one option but it turned out to be Fanny Pincher who came to Australia 1840. I politely changed her to Frances.
On my side Eusebius Pattenden 1664 and son 1698.
  Also the use of mothers maiden name makes for some unusual combinations.  Peel Wright, 1743, son of Susan(nah) Peel 1700 and used in many generations, still extant in Australia today. Relates to this is Wright Wellby
Friend Ashby 1846 another
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ThrelfallYorky on Tuesday 03 May 16 16:41 BST (UK)
"Jubilee Ball"? Seriously.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ScouseBoy on Tuesday 03 May 16 16:45 BST (UK)
That well known firm of Solicitors Alcock and Ball
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: farmeroman on Tuesday 03 May 16 16:59 BST (UK)
No relation unfortunately, but I used to work with a guy called Er Ufuk (needless to say he wasn't British). His company phone book entry was Ufuk, Er  :o  :P
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Tuesday 03 May 16 21:24 BST (UK)
The Fannys and Mr Ufuk have just made my evening!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: usaPetticrew on Wednesday 04 May 16 12:47 BST (UK)
Syrsigumbus or Cisigambus.  A girl's name, mid-1800s.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: hurworth on Wednesday 04 May 16 13:35 BST (UK)
We have a Hannah Fluck in one tree - she died in Allegany, Maryland.  I was pleased to discover that Fluck was her surname from her first marriage and that her maiden name was Phillips.  Fluck would be an easier name to research though.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Aussie Roy on Thursday 05 May 16 13:57 BST (UK)
Just found in my tree.    Mercy Butchers
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: NooshieW on Saturday 07 May 16 23:50 BST (UK)
My great grandparents named two daughters , Falantua, mistranscribed as Flantan and Flantau, have no idea where these came from, both died as children sadly and my granddad never mentioned his sisters.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Treetotal on Sunday 08 May 16 00:21 BST (UK)
"Jubilee Ball"? Seriously.

I like that....great name 8) was it male or female.
Carol
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Rosinish on Sunday 08 May 16 02:55 BST (UK)
I have Durham ancestors and find Durham can be like Wales, a county with a limited amount of surnames. I have 2 lines of Richardsons there, and have had many headaches with my Wilson family. But some odd names have been found, odd first names. Spanisher Robson.

Coombs.......

I have a Charles Richardson who married my 2nd cousin (4 removes) named Mary Jane Sheill on 09 Feb 1881, Chester Le Street, Durham & his father was named Jonathon Backhouse Richardson  :P

Charles had a sister Isabella who married a Dalrymple James Belgrave  
He also had a sister Marion who married a Sherlock Vignoles Willis 

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01hlb/

Any connection  ???

Annie
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Sunday 08 May 16 03:41 BST (UK)
That's a fair collection of names, Annie.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Rosinish on Sunday 08 May 16 03:45 BST (UK)
That's a fair collection of names, Annie.

Sure is Pine but sadly not my family as it looks a tad interesting  ;D....only an "in-law" but curious if this is Coombs family?

Annie
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Erato on Sunday 08 May 16 04:02 BST (UK)
While reading about another subject today, I came across this one.  I regret that he is not mine.  Kansas Nebraska Bill was born in Connecticut in 1855 and was named after the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 which created the Kansas and Nebraska Territories and opened them up for settlement.  My source said that he had a sister named Missouri Compromise Bill [after the 1820 bill which admitted Missouri as a 'slave state' and Maine as a 'free state'] but I have found no record of her so maybe she is apocryphal.

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01hlc/
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: andrewalston on Sunday 08 May 16 19:11 BST (UK)
We have a Hannah Fluck in one tree - she died in Allegany, Maryland.  I was pleased to discover that Fluck was her surname from her first marriage and that her maiden name was Phillips.  Fluck would be an easier name to research though.
Wasn't Diana Dors born a Fluck?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Monday 09 May 16 12:06 BST (UK)
Yes, and John Wayne's middle name was Marion, if I recall correctly.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Monday 09 May 16 12:11 BST (UK)
Yes, and John Wayne's middle name was Marion, if I recall correctly.
I think his real name was Marion Morrison. John Wayne was his stage name.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Monday 09 May 16 12:29 BST (UK)
Knew it was something like that! I was too lazy to go and look it up. Can you imagine lumbering your son with a name like Marion in this day and age? Shirley was another name that was also given to boys, back in the day.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Monday 09 May 16 12:37 BST (UK)

 ;D ;D ;D ;D

Like the song sung by Johnny Cash - MY Name Is Sue!!!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Aussie Roy on Tuesday 10 May 16 02:38 BST (UK)
Sept 1866 Ann Tomalin married  Albert Land Newdick
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Tuesday 10 May 16 11:31 BST (UK)
Whilst searching for a marriage in the LMA collection yesterday found a marriage of a Miss Bareleggs ::) to a Mr Pilcherly

Claire
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: hurworth on Tuesday 10 May 16 12:09 BST (UK)
Wasn't Diana Dors born a Fluck?

You are correct, but I did have to look it up.

Nevertheless I had not expected to find this ancestor buried in Maryland, but she followed a couple of her sons from the Forest of Dean to Maryland.  They arrived just in time for the civil war which may or may not explain why her granddaughter emigrated to the Antipodes instead.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Rosinish on Tuesday 10 May 16 12:34 BST (UK)
Syrsigumbus or Cisigambus.  A girl's name, mid-1800s.

 ;D Sounds like a disease  :o  ::)

Annie
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Tuesday 10 May 16 13:42 BST (UK)
Or a Plant family perhaps  :)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Ladyfing on Tuesday 17 May 16 18:53 BST (UK)
One of my great great etc uncle's was baptised 'Christmas Lincoln'. And a descendant's middle name (female), is Peppermint. Adorable!

 :D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Tuesday 17 May 16 20:32 BST (UK)
Did her mum have a craving for peppermints when she was expecting, I wonder?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a chesters on Sunday 29 May 16 06:57 BST (UK)
Just come across a daughters name of Richmal, in the 1851 census.

Trying to establish it as a birth name.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: despair on Sunday 29 May 16 07:09 BST (UK)
Richmal Crompton wrote the "Just William" books.

Regards
Roger
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: coombs on Sunday 29 May 16 13:35 BST (UK)
Glasscock, in my trundling through Essex registers I have found loads of them, but it seems by 1901 the name may have died out as there was only about 200 of them. Imagine the taunts you would get at school with a name like that now, lol.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Sunday 29 May 16 13:53 BST (UK)
Richmal Crompton wrote the "Just William" books.

Regards
Roger

I loved the "Just William" books - still do!  Did you know there are loads of them on you tube?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Aussie Roy on Sunday 29 May 16 15:46 BST (UK)
Glasscock, in my trundling through Essex registers I have found loads of them, but it seems by 1901 the name may have died out as there was only about 200 of them. Imagine the taunts you would get at school with a name like that now, lol.
Yeah!   I came across one a few years back.......Imagine Ivor Glasscock......he got engaged but she broke it off ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: snooziflooze on Sunday 29 May 16 15:54 BST (UK)
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Sunday 29 May 16 15:57 BST (UK)

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Sunday 29 May 16 21:47 BST (UK)
There was a local sportsman, Roger Woodcock, a few years ago. You can imagine his nickname......  ::)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Sunday 29 May 16 21:59 BST (UK)

 :D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: 3sillydogs on Sunday 29 May 16 21:59 BST (UK)

Glasscock, in my trundling through Essex registers I have found loads of them, but it seems by 1901 the name may have died out as there was only about 200 of them. Imagine the taunts you would get at school with a name like that now, lol.
Yeah!   I came across one a few years back.......Imagine Ivor Glasscock......he got engaged but she broke it off ;D

 ;D ;D ;D
I just got strange looks from my lot when I giggled loudly at that one. ;D ;D ;D ;D

(still say we need a ROFL smiley)


Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Sunday 29 May 16 23:53 BST (UK)
My friend's married name is Hiscock! 
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Monday 30 May 16 00:04 BST (UK)

and now it's my turn to....

Addin Mycock  ::) ::)

Found throughout the English census, with one d or two.

 ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a chesters on Monday 30 May 16 00:35 BST (UK)
There was a local sportsman, Roger Woodcock, a few years ago. You can imagine his nickname......  ::)

I worked with a person of an even better name, Richard Woodcock. There were more than one nicknames applied.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Monday 30 May 16 03:44 BST (UK)
Of course we can't forget Graham Johncock, a former great of the Adelaide Football Club.  I can't repeat his nickname on here.  ::)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Nanna52 on Monday 30 May 16 04:17 BST (UK)
Many years ago the local man who mended shoes was named Richard, was called Dick.  His surname -Head.  No problems then, but now  ??? ??? ???
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Monday 30 May 16 04:59 BST (UK)
Another one - Hercock!  A bit misleading perhaps?   HE was a friend of my Dad's! I can't remember his Christian name though! 
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Aussie Roy on Monday 30 May 16 05:02 BST (UK)
Gay marriage 1926...Name:    Helen L Blake
Date of Registration:    Apr-May-Jun 1926
Woolwich Kent
Spouse:    Louisa Mitchell

Bruce Woodcock (18 January 1921 – 21 December 1997)[2] was an English light heavyweight and heavyweight boxer from Doncaster. He held the British and Empire heavyweight titles from 1945 to 1950, and was the European heavyweight champion 1946-1949. He fought unsuccessfully for a World title in 1950.  No-one called him names ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: majm on Monday 30 May 16 05:13 BST (UK)
Gay marriage 1926...Name:    Helen L Blake
Date of Registration:    Apr-May-Jun 1926
Woolwich Kent
Spouse:    Louisa Mitchell

from an alternative, and free to search  :) online index
http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/search.pl
Louisa MITCHELL married Henry L BLAKE, Woolwich, GRO 1d/2224, second quarter 1926.

Sometimes Ancestry has OCR issues with the printed word.  :) Perhaps it mis-read the line above Henry L BLAKE (Helen Blake's marriage  ;D 2a/483  ;D )

JM
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Monday 30 May 16 09:45 BST (UK)

And one to reflect the glorious day here in Lancashire today

Sonny Merryweather  8) 8)

1920 US Census

 :)

Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: smudwhisk on Wednesday 01 June 16 01:18 BST (UK)
I think this one deserves a mention. ;D  There are several generations of Tubal-cain Lumley in Harlestone, Northamptonshire.  The earliest so far I've found is the marriage of a Tuball Cain Lumley in Dodford in 1641 but residing in Harlestone.  No sign of a baptism for him so far, I wonder where the name came from.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Wednesday 01 June 16 01:21 BST (UK)
What a strange name,

Tubal Cain ~  is a person mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, in Genesis 4:22. He was a descendant of Cain, the son of Lamech ( not  Lamech, father of Noah) and Zillah. He was the brother of Naamah and half-brother of Jabal and Jubal.

claire

I learn something new everyday ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Aussie Roy on Wednesday 01 June 16 04:58 BST (UK)
Charles Botwright, pronounces boatwright married my great aunt amelia. His father's name was NOAH
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Wednesday 01 June 16 07:52 BST (UK)

 :D ;D ;D :D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: bitzar on Wednesday 01 June 16 08:07 BST (UK)
and my poor Bridget Scholastica!  Cant remember her family name now.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Wednesday 01 June 16 08:58 BST (UK)
What a strange name,

Tubal Cain ~  is a person mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, in Genesis 4:22. He was a descendant of Cain, the son of Lamech ( not  Lamech, father of Noah) and Zillah. He was the brother of Naamah and half-brother of Jabal and Jubal.

claire

I learn something new everyday ;D

That's very impressive.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Wednesday 01 June 16 09:38 BST (UK)

Another impressive name Pinefamily -  " Mr G**gle"

He's my fountain of knowledge  ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Wednesday 01 June 16 10:15 BST (UK)

Another impressive name Pinefamily -  " Mr G**gle"

He's my fountain of knowledge  ;D
And here I was thinking you remembered it all from Sunday School.  ::)
Mr Google is very handy indeed, as long as you ask the right question.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ShaunJ on Wednesday 01 June 16 10:16 BST (UK)
My favourite is Dazzley Twitchett.  Born Pakenham, Suffolk in 1849.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Wednesday 01 June 16 10:47 BST (UK)

Well I've seen it all now, poor man, who would seriously give their child this name

Time O' Night Kenknight ~ 1901 census

Frebmd registered as Male Kenknight when born, died as Time O N Kenknight

I've seen it all now  :o

PN ~ Sunday School ~ I still attend, regular little angel me  ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: bearkat on Wednesday 01 June 16 10:53 BST (UK)
 Time of DAY is a name that crops up in Kent (Hoo , I think)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Wednesday 01 June 16 10:58 BST (UK)

Yes ~ his death was registered in Kent,  :)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: smudwhisk on Wednesday 01 June 16 11:18 BST (UK)
What a strange name,

Tubal Cain ~  is a person mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, in Genesis 4:22. He was a descendant of Cain, the son of Lamech ( not  Lamech, father of Noah) and Zillah. He was the brother of Naamah and half-brother of Jabal and Jubal.

claire

I learn something new everyday ;D

You do indeed learn something new everyday. ;D

I think his parents must have been a very religious couple.  Found his baptism in 1617, he also had brothers John and Luke, so all had biblical names. ;)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: coombs on Wednesday 01 June 16 11:58 BST (UK)
Talking of Dazley, I found a Dazley ancestors. Rhoda Dazly/Dasly born c1760. Maybe they liked washing powder lol.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Wednesday 01 June 16 12:35 BST (UK)
A friend of mine has a Barzilla in his tree, and an Ancorah. Barzilla is a biblical name but I have no idea where Ancorah comes from. It was shortened to Cora down through the generations.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Wednesday 01 June 16 12:36 BST (UK)
Don't know what this poor girls parents were thinking of...

Ima Box  ;)

 bn c1867 Reading, Berkshire.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: coombs on Thursday 02 June 16 20:24 BST (UK)
Ann Winterflood. Did she have a rellie with the surname of Summerdrought lol?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Thursday 02 June 16 20:53 BST (UK)

 ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Thursday 02 June 16 21:27 BST (UK)
I saw a reference to a Vera Batterface this afternoon....
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Sunday 05 June 16 14:16 BST (UK)
Fancy being lumbered with the first name "Tamerlane"? I bet he used his second name, George,  most of the time.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Lisajb on Sunday 05 June 16 15:15 BST (UK)
Looking at Baunton baptisms yesterday I found one Oliffe Olivia baptised Dec 24th 1871 and another Oliffe Olivia baptised 11th April 1873. Different parents for each.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Sunday 05 June 16 22:00 BST (UK)
Fancy being lumbered with the first name "Tamerlane"? I bet he used his second name, George,  most of the time.
You've reminded me of a young engineer I used to work with. He called himself Tem. I asked him one day if that was short for something, and the answer was Temujin. Apparently I was the first person he'd met that knew the significance of the name.  ::) ::)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Monday 06 June 16 00:16 BST (UK)
PF - I had to look it up!    ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Monday 06 June 16 00:21 BST (UK)

Me too  ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a chesters on Monday 06 June 16 01:13 BST (UK)
And I :o :o :o

I take it he did not behave the same way :)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Monday 06 June 16 03:45 BST (UK)
No he was a very quiet and pleasant fellow.
Google comes in handy doesn't it?  ;)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Monday 06 June 16 08:47 BST (UK)

Yes indeed, Mr G**gle is a fountain of knowledge  ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Monday 06 June 16 08:54 BST (UK)
Well, the original owner of the name certainly lived up to the meaning of it in one way, as he "forged" an empire...
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Monday 06 June 16 09:39 BST (UK)
Well, the original owner of the name certainly lived up to the meaning of it in one way, as he "forged" an empire...
Possibly the largest empire ever known.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Thursday 09 June 16 08:38 BST (UK)
How about Mary Virgin, indexed as Virgin, Mary? I did a double-take when I saw this one.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: vinpip on Thursday 09 June 16 09:23 BST (UK)
I found the name - Fanny Towel - yesterday. It just made me giggle.  ::) childish I know  ::)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Thursday 09 June 16 11:11 BST (UK)

Very childish , but I giggled too ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: 3sillydogs on Thursday 09 June 16 11:23 BST (UK)

Very childish , but I giggled too ;D ;D ;D


me too.... ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Thursday 09 June 16 11:37 BST (UK)

Well you know what they say.. We're as young as we feel ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: vinpip on Thursday 09 June 16 11:40 BST (UK)
Or the man that we're feeling!  :o
Sorry childish and mind in the gutter!  ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: 3sillydogs on Thursday 09 June 16 11:42 BST (UK)
Or the man that we're feeling!  :o
Sorry childish and mind in the gutter!  ;D


Someone had to say it, says she laughing while typing this ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Thursday 09 June 16 13:16 BST (UK)

LMAO ;D ;D ;D

I'm beginning to feel like I'm back at school  :D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Thursday 09 June 16 21:18 BST (UK)
And you'll be kept in after school at this rate.  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: 3sillydogs on Thursday 09 June 16 21:25 BST (UK)


and be writing lines .....

"I shall not have my mind in the gutter"

 ;D ;D ;D

(even if it is soooo funny!!)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Thursday 09 June 16 21:48 BST (UK)

...and we promise to behave from now on  :o :o
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: 3sillydogs on Thursday 09 June 16 22:00 BST (UK)

...and we promise to behave from now on  :o :o

Is that even possible......
....or do we even want to ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Thursday 09 June 16 22:04 BST (UK)
Visions of St. Trinian's...... ::)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Thursday 09 June 16 22:40 BST (UK)

Well Jolly Hockey Sticks Sir... visions of naughty schoolgirls ...tut tut  :o ;D :o ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a chesters on Friday 10 June 16 06:15 BST (UK)

...and we promise to behave from now on  :o :o

My reply to when OH tells me to behave is........HOW :o :o ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Aussie Roy on Friday 10 June 16 07:12 BST (UK)
Just found while searching a marrige.....Caroline Boobyer
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Friday 10 June 16 10:43 BST (UK)
Well being naughty schoolgirls, what about a lesson on the origins of surnames....

Davidson or Wilson - son of David or Will

Baker - speaks for itself ... as does Smith

My maiden surname Cairns - were my family origins  in Queensland...nope ... Small stack of stones in Scotland..more than likely

Abbott - the priest

Alcock  ... Now then, behave please , I know what you may be thinking  ;) - it's a Middle English pet form of Adam

So where did your surnames originate from?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: 3sillydogs on Friday 10 June 16 10:58 BST (UK)

...and we promise to behave from now on  :o :o

My reply to when OH tells me to behave is........HOW :o :o ;D ;D

But are we really misbehaving ??? ;D.... or just having some good  ;D clean ;D innocent ;D fun and they're just a bunch of spoil sports ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Friday 10 June 16 11:09 BST (UK)

Certainly not misbehaving  ;D

Just finding ridiculous childish things hilariously funny.

Bring on the good ;D clean ;D innocent  :D fun !!!

 ;)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Friday 10 June 16 11:28 BST (UK)
OK then, according to nearly every surnames book I've read, Pine means "dweller by the pines". If other research is true, the name is of French, and ultimately Spanish origin. Galceran de Pinos was one of the nine barons from the Pyrenees who answered the call from Charlemagne. If only my lot went back that far.  ::)
Dowdeswell: an old Gloucestershire legend has that an Anglo-Saxon monk sank a well; his name was Doudo, or Dowdo. Another good story with no verifiable basis.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Friday 10 June 16 11:40 BST (UK)

My married surname Tobin is I believe a variant of D'Aubin which originates in Brittany, France. But can be traced back to ancient Gaul in the form of Albinus.

How they ended up in Ireland God only knows ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Friday 10 June 16 11:56 BST (UK)
Believe it or not, Brittany and Ireland had very close links back in King Harold's day, which might explain how your D'Aubins ended up in Ireland, Claire.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Friday 10 June 16 12:02 BST (UK)

Schoolgirls back in class ... I'm learning  ;D

I had read some French nobleman came to Ireland seized up the lands built himself a castle and married some young Irish Colleen and the rest is history  ;) or genealogy in our case ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: bibliotaphist on Friday 10 June 16 13:30 BST (UK)
So where did your surnames originate from?

Mine is from the town of Staindrop in Co. Durham, sometimes spelt "Stainthorp" on older maps.

One day I'm going to buy a copy of one of them e.g. "A MAP OF THE BISHOPRICK OF DURHAM North from London" by T. Badelade and W. H. Toms, 1741.
https://www.antiquemaps.com/maps/dg/durham/durham.php (https://www.antiquemaps.com/maps/dg/durham/durham.php)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Friday 10 June 16 13:37 BST (UK)
There's always noblemen or wealth involved in the more interesting explanations of a family's origins, isn't there ;)? Sadly, both of those by-passed my family completely!

I didn't know about the Ireland/Brittany connection myself until I read a book by Dorothy Dunnett on the life of the real Macbeth, called "King Hereafter." Makes sense though, as they're both Celtic nations. The Irish have a fair proportion of Viking blood in them too, apparently - if I remember the book correctly, there was a well established Viking settlement in/near? Dublin.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: bibliotaphist on Friday 10 June 16 13:44 BST (UK)
There's always noblemen or wealth involved in the more interesting explanations of a family's origins, isn't there ;)? Sadly, both of those by-passed my family completely!

I didn't know about the Ireland/Brittany connection myself until I read a book by Dorothy Dunnett on the life of the real Macbeth, called "King Hereafter." Makes sense though, as they're both Celtic nations. The Irish have a fair proportion of Viking blood in them too, apparently - if I remember the book correctly, there was a well established Viking settlement in/near? Dublin.

You might like the book "The Sea Kingdoms" by Alistair Moffat (http://www.librarything.com/work/21318 (http://www.librarything.com/work/21318)).
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Friday 10 June 16 14:04 BST (UK)

That would be great buying a map like that and having the provenance too.

Im not sure about my maiden surname Cairns, I know it's Scottish: and translates to either a pile of stones used as a boundary marker or memorial, although I have found some interesting reading on the Clava Cairns .

Not sure I'd want a picture of a pile of stones  :D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Friday 10 June 16 14:33 BST (UK)
Pstainthorp, I'll have a look at that! I must say I wouldn't want to untangle the genealogy Dorothy Dunnett had to in the research for her book: half of the families are related in more than one line.

Most of my family surnames are pretty run-of-the-mill, but I've recently been chasing up Ixers who are related at a few removes, and nobody seems to know how surname originates, though there's speculation that it might come from the corruption of Old English for "Ice-hard" and/or have links with those who came over with William the Conqueror (back to King Harold and co.) At least the surname's sufficiently unusual enough to be relatively easy to trace - except where it's been completely mistranscribed!

Can you imagine the hilarity if we had to represent surnames with a picture: "Cutting" might provide some interesting options - cue images of grass/railway/wood cuttings. Probably on a par with your pile of stones, Claire.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Friday 10 June 16 14:41 BST (UK)

With some of the surnames that have been bandied about on this thread, I wouldn't like to think of some of the pictures we would end up seeing  :) .... I'll gladly settle for my pile of stones ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Friday 10 June 16 15:09 BST (UK)
Er, yes!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Friday 10 June 16 16:08 BST (UK)

Indeed  ::) ::)  ;)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: WideEyedGirl on Friday 10 June 16 16:39 BST (UK)
Marymerinday Bowring, sister of my 5x great grandmother, is the most unusual one I've found so far  ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Friday 10 June 16 17:22 BST (UK)
Hi Holly

.. Welcome to the thread ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: WideEyedGirl on Friday 10 June 16 17:26 BST (UK)
Hi Claire,

I was just thinking it may well have been yourself who helped me find Marymerinday, I'm sure we've discussed the name before ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Friday 10 June 16 17:32 BST (UK)

We did indeed, I think it was along the lines of you had 'Marymerinday' and I had a 'Loveday'  ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: WideEyedGirl on Friday 10 June 16 17:40 BST (UK)
Yes I remember it now ;D
There's some amazing names on this thread, I don't have any unusual names in my direct line (only brothers and sisters), not that I've found yet anyway  ::)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Friday 10 June 16 17:44 BST (UK)

I'm sure you will find one sooner or later  ;D ;D

Besides Marymerinday is a great start, I've never heard of it  ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: WideEyedGirl on Friday 10 June 16 17:48 BST (UK)
Yes she's definitely the only Marymerinday in my tree ;D

Usually it's the usual naming pattern of John/Thomas/Samuel/Matthew/Benjamin/Frederick for the boys, and Mary/Ann/Anne/Sarah/Hannah/Elizabeth for the girls  ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: *Sandra* on Friday 10 June 16 17:51 BST (UK)
"Who Done It Rich" brother of "Horse Rich" and sister "Such-Ann Rich"

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01hsb/

Sandra
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Friday 10 June 16 18:05 BST (UK)
Yes I'm quite sure I have a few hundred of those names too funnily enough ;D ;D

.... and who in the right mind would give their children names like 'Who Done It' , 'Horse' and 'Such Ann'

It's a crazy world we live in  ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Erato on Friday 10 June 16 18:23 BST (UK)
People do give those names, though.  Kenesaw Mountain Landis, for example.  And I personally was acquainted with a kid named Illinois Central ******* whose father presumably worked on the railroad.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Friday 10 June 16 19:05 BST (UK)

I do have to say Americans certainly seem a little more adventurous with names than over here in the UK.

Kenesaw M L actually rolls of the tongue quite nicely :)

It's just the thought of walking down a busy street and someone shouting "Hey! Who Done It , how are you "
 :)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Erato on Friday 10 June 16 19:15 BST (UK)
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_vault/2013/09/13/puritan_names_lists_of_bizarre_religious_nomenclature_used_by_puritans.html
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Friday 10 June 16 19:53 BST (UK)
That's brilliant  :D I hope everyone reads through that link. I love the name 'Silence'

There was a lady in Wales earlier this year who was took to court by Social Services for wanting to name her daughter Cyanide and her son Preacher. Needless to say the judge backed up Social Services, the lady lost her children because she had a history of drug abuse and mental illness.

Meanwhile in France ... A French court have stopped a couple from naming their daughter Nutella claiming she would be a target of derision.

 :)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: *Sandra* on Friday 10 June 16 21:58 BST (UK)
A group from Blackfoot Indian Reservation, Teton, Montana in 1900 - "Wonder Bull" - "Hits One Another" - "Almost Killed" and "Spotted Head"..............................

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MSTZ-12D

Sandra

Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Friday 10 June 16 23:26 BST (UK)
There is that theory on how the Amerindian fathers named their children after the first thing they saw on being told of the birth.
Wait, no maybe that's the start of a joke....  ;) ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Friday 10 June 16 23:53 BST (UK)

 ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Ayashi on Saturday 11 June 16 12:46 BST (UK)
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_vault/2013/09/13/puritan_names_lists_of_bizarre_religious_nomenclature_used_by_puritans.html

"If-Christ-had-not-died-for-thee-thou-hadst-been-damned. Praise-God's son, he made a name for himself as an economist. But, for some inexplicable reason, he decided to go by the name Nicolas Barbon."
I choked laughing.

Some of the ones on that list... Oh dear. It does make you wonder what they were referred to in everyday life though.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Saturday 11 June 16 13:01 BST (UK)

There are some real corkers on that list, aren't there  ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: 3sillydogs on Saturday 11 June 16 13:36 BST (UK)


That list makes the outrageous names that folk give their kids today not look so bad after all.. ::) ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: 11easkry on Saturday 11 June 16 14:43 BST (UK)
Lilian Ruth Christmas Tree  ::)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Saturday 11 June 16 17:59 BST (UK)

There are quite a few Mary Christmas's too in the census  ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: 3sillydogs on Saturday 11 June 16 18:37 BST (UK)

When you see the names that kids get given makes you wonder if the parents actually say the names together with surname before deciding.. ::) ::) ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Sunday 12 June 16 12:51 BST (UK)
I'm really glad I'm not a Puritan, although I suppose we have them to thank for "Grace," which is such a lovely name for a girl. You certainly couldn't shout the first two words of entry no.10's name in public without raising a few eyebrows! I'd love to know where the surname "Pimple" came from...

Here was me thinking that American Indians stuck to names such as Sitting Bull and Running Deer! Oddly enough, "Hits One Another" sounds quite modern.

I don't think parents always check to see if their kids' initials make up any dubious words, either, 3sillydogs.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Sunday 12 June 16 13:08 BST (UK)

Seems someone else had the same thoughts as you regarding Pimple/Pimpel etc

http://digging-history.com/2014/01/25/surname-saturday-pimple/

I love the name Grace too, my daughter wants her first child to be an Ava Grace.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Sunday 12 June 16 18:25 BST (UK)
It must be a genealogist's thing, Claire ;D. Pimple must be a very old surname given that it appears as far back as the 1650s, but it's not surprising it isn't common today. If I'd been born with that surname, I'd have changed it by deed poll, I think!!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: cardinalcanary on Sunday 12 June 16 21:19 BST (UK)
I like the name Dulcibell Billingshurst in my tree.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Sunday 12 June 16 21:50 BST (UK)

Welcome to RC cardinalcanary ;D

Well that is a good name ....sounds right posh to me !!!

 :)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: cardinalcanary on Sunday 12 June 16 22:00 BST (UK)
Thank-you for the welcome. Yes it does sound very posh.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Tuesday 14 June 16 14:18 BST (UK)
Just this morning come across these:
Augustus Bollock
Mary Buttock
Arthur Crapwell
Willy Crotch and Willy Spunk
David ****
Fanny Death
Margaret Puke
Ann Rose Shitter

I'm willing to bet very few of these surnames are in general use these days  ;D

Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Tuesday 14 June 16 17:21 BST (UK)

" I'm willing to bet very few of these surnames are in general use today"....

.... I can't imagine why not!! :o :o :o
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Peterjay on Tuesday 14 June 16 17:28 BST (UK)
I am not trawling through all these pages so I do not know if this has been mentioned.
On the free BMD there are two (2) W.nkers.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Tuesday 14 June 16 17:50 BST (UK)


 :o :o :o :o
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Tuesday 14 June 16 21:52 BST (UK)
Going through the Walloon records of Canterbury, so far I have come across Le Candle, Ferret, and Souffle. My French isn't that good, so I'm not sure on pronounciation.
And apologies to any native French speakers.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Tuesday 14 June 16 21:56 BST (UK)
I am not trawling through all these pages so I do not know if this has been mentioned.
On the free BMD there are two (2) W.nkers.

In 1975, the Governor-General of Australia, Sir John Kerr, sacked the Prime Minister. He was given a similar appellation afterwards.  ::) ::)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Tuesday 14 June 16 22:02 BST (UK)

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

I should imagine Souffle would have an accent over the 'E'
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Tuesday 14 June 16 22:14 BST (UK)
I am half expecting to find ancestors for Hyacinth.  ;)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Tuesday 14 June 16 22:26 BST (UK)
 ;D ;D ;D

took me a second to get that  ::)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: 3sillydogs on Wednesday 15 June 16 06:52 BST (UK)
I am half expecting to find ancestors for Hyacinth.  ;)

 ;D ;D

had to think a sec as well ::) ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Wednesday 15 June 16 10:41 BST (UK)
Better make sure you spell it correctly in your search! 😀
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: coombs on Tuesday 26 July 16 15:27 BST (UK)
I think I have a Prick line in my tree, please no jokes  ;D ;D. Ann Prick, wed Isaac Deeks in Stanstead, Suffolk in 1698. Yesterday I looked at the original PR and it said Prink or Prinkk, Boyds has it down as Prick. Seems it is quite a common surname in Suffolk.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: bearkat on Tuesday 26 July 16 16:00 BST (UK)
At least his first name wasn't Ivor   ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: bettyespana on Tuesday 26 July 16 17:41 BST (UK)
I think I have a Prick line in my tree, please no jokes  ;D ;D. Ann Prick, wed Isaac Deeks in Stanstead, Suffolk in 1698. Yesterday I looked at the original PR and it said Prink or Prinkk, Boyds has it down as Prick. Seems it is quite a common surname in Suffolk.

I have a Mercy Pratt
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Tuesday 26 July 16 17:44 BST (UK)
 ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ScouseBoy on Thursday 28 July 16 12:58 BST (UK)
Is Coral considered   unusual or rare?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: bettyespana on Thursday 28 July 16 13:13 BST (UK)
Is Coral considered   unusual or rare?

Unusual I would say.I have heard of a Coral before & i think there may have been an actress with the same name at some time in the past.

I have a relative with a 2nd name of Cheney
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Rosinish on Thursday 28 July 16 13:19 BST (UK)
Is Coral considered   unusual or rare?

Unusual I would say.I have heard of a Coral before & i think there may have been an actress with the same name at some time in the past.

I know of one Coral (don't know her personally) but on SP  649 matches for Coral 1855 - 2014

Annie
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Rosinish on Thursday 28 July 16 13:22 BST (UK)
An odd one I found in a friend's tree...middle name Algernon 

Annie
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: bettyespana on Thursday 28 July 16 14:22 BST (UK)
An odd one I found in a friend's tree...middle name Algernon 

Annie

Yes it is odd the name Algernon but I think it is also an old name.I actually used to live in a place where there was an Algernon Street.
Betty
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Thursday 28 July 16 15:24 BST (UK)

When my children were of school age the lollipop lady was a 'Coral'

Another odd one in my tree is Blandina or Blandy - there are a few odd ones in my tree and all came from Cornwall.

 :)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: bettyespana on Thursday 28 July 16 15:33 BST (UK)

When my children were of school age the lollipop lady was a 'Coral'

Another odd one in my tree is Blandina or Blandy - there are a few odd ones in my tree and all came from Cornwall.

 :)
I think Cornwall has its own unique language so I would imagine there would be quite a few strange names
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Annette7 on Thursday 28 July 16 20:36 BST (UK)
I've been asked to do a tree for a friend - gentleman in question is a Swootman Madgett who apparently later preferred to be known as Frank - not surprised!   His first name was a grandmothers maiden name.

Annette
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Thursday 28 July 16 21:31 BST (UK)
Swootman Madgett - it sounds like a name that Charles Dickens would have used in his novels  :)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Erato on Thursday 28 July 16 21:45 BST (UK)
Coral?  I have one in my own tree,  Unfortunately her surname was not Reef, Head or Bleaching.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Thursday 28 July 16 21:51 BST (UK)

 ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Monday 15 August 16 20:39 BST (UK)
Just come across a Reverend C.H.R. Cocup in a marriage announcement....
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: bettyespana on Monday 15 August 16 21:23 BST (UK)
Just come across a Reverend C.H.R. Cocup in a marriage announcement....

Mmmm!! the mind boggles

One of my friends  past rellies was Shadrach.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Monday 15 August 16 21:53 BST (UK)

Quote
Just come across a Reverend C.H.R. Cocup in a marriage announcement....

The mind boggles indeed !!!

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Oracle35 on Monday 15 August 16 23:14 BST (UK)
I have a few unusual names
Foreman Theodore Crawford
Lettice Crawford who married Thomas Pettus in1688
Joseph Duck who was son-in-law of Foreman Crawford
Ireson Walton Selman

A quick trawl through my index of individuals in Family Tree Maker led me to the above lot
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: McGroger on Tuesday 16 August 16 12:21 BST (UK)
True story: I have an Effie in my tree, not short for Euphemia or anything else, while my brother-in-law also has an Effie. His is short for “F’n cat!” It got it's name when he had to climb his tree to get her down. Cheers, Peter
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: dowdstree on Tuesday 16 August 16 12:59 BST (UK)
Have had a great time reading all your posts - some laughs too  ;D ;D

My lot must have been boring as the oddest name I can find in my family is  Vyllet Annal.

Have two " Effies " as well both short for Euphemia -my grandmother and my cousin. Thankfully my cousin was older than me so she got gran's name and not me  :D :D

Will keep looking

Dorrie

Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ThrelfallYorky on Tuesday 16 August 16 15:10 BST (UK)
Recently found an "Amorous Shackleton" - don't know what he grew up like!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Rosinish on Wednesday 17 August 16 21:28 BST (UK)
No relation to my own Duff's but found this while looking for a will on SP.

Norwich Duff 25/09/1862 Captain then Vice Admiral in Royal Navy, thereafter residing in Bath.

Had to "Go ogle" him & a very interesting read.

Annie   
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Thursday 18 August 16 00:05 BST (UK)
Not really odd, these ones from the top of my head, people I was as school with, and a few friends - don't hear many kids with them these days.  All in their 70s these days.

Lynette, Janice, Maureen, Leonie, Roderick, Tony, Philip, Diana, Geraldine, Yolande, Kevin, Brian, Garry, Glenn, Maurice, Warren. Graeme, Peter, Donald.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Thursday 18 August 16 02:23 BST (UK)
This has got to be the strangest census transcription I've come across on Anc* ever.

Look for a Thomas BIGTOP - tiger slayer :o bn 1841 Nottinghamshire in a lodging house in Chelsea.

His lodging buddies include

Gustave Stinkpoor
Tante Toppie
Thomas Pushard
Henry Dandelion
Oliver Limerick
Frederick October

And more oddities  :-\ :-\

RG11/ 76/ 45/ 37

They even look like what they've been transcribed as, it can't be real.

The mind boggles ;D ;D

Claire


Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Thursday 18 August 16 02:30 BST (UK)
 ;D ;D ;D ;D. I think someone's been pulling the enumerator's leg!!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Thursday 18 August 16 02:40 BST (UK)
Definitely pulling something...

Same house

Mouse Regan..... Rat catcher

 ;D ;D :D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ScouseBoy on Thursday 18 August 16 05:16 BST (UK)
This has got to be the strangest census transcription I've come across on Anc* ever.

Look for a Thomas BIGTOP - tiger slayer :o bn 1841 Nottinghamshire in a lodging house in Chelsea.

His lodging buddies include

Gustave Stinkpoor
Tante Toppie
Thomas Pushard
Henry Dandelion
Oliver Limerick
Frederick October

And more oddities  :-\ :-\

RG11/ 76/ 45/ 37

They even look like what they've been transcribed as, it can't be real.

The mind boggles ;D ;D

Claire
  Entertainers  do like to have "Stage Names"

Nowadays,   perhaps   some people  wish to stay under the HMRC Radar.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Thursday 18 August 16 08:41 BST (UK)

I totally agree with stage names SB

but...

Pancho Flipback... grave digger
Charles Horsefesh... dog fancier

I rather think they have had a few too many jugs of ale ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Rosinish on Friday 19 August 16 16:44 BST (UK)
Not "odd" in terms but certainly different.

While researching my "Hogg" line, I found this on familysearch but it's not a transcription error as it's on SP exactly as it is:

Hughdora Hogg b 1873 Arbroath, Angus

Annie
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Friday 19 August 16 17:11 BST (UK)
Hughdora is probably a variation on Eudora which I've heard of before.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Treetotal on Friday 19 August 16 21:40 BST (UK)
I have a Venadora/Vena-Dora..sometimes transcribed as Vence-Dora....also a Lucilla.
Carol
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: coombs on Friday 19 August 16 22:38 BST (UK)
I know a woman with the surname Kneel who wed someone with the surname Down.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Friday 19 August 16 22:45 BST (UK)

 ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: sharonmx5 on Saturday 20 August 16 18:53 BST (UK)
Zurishaddai Lang a Doctor of Physic from the 17th Century. Needless to say his name is spelt a variety of different ways in the records! ;D

My Gt Grandfather was called Fias, does anybody have any idea where this name comes from?  I can find no examples of it elsewhere in the family.  He never used it, preferring apparently to be called by his middle name James.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Sunday 21 August 16 05:10 BST (UK)
Tried for you Sharon, but this is all I could find.

http://www.names.org/n/fias/about
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ScouseBoy on Sunday 21 August 16 08:29 BST (UK)
Does anyone  watch the programme  "Frazier"          because one of the directors or producers  has a Japanese sounding  sur name,   which I am not going to repeat  as people may think that I am being very offensive.    First name is Mary
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: sharonmx5 on Sunday 21 August 16 08:32 BST (UK)
Tried for you Sharon, but this is all I could find.

http://www.names.org/n/fias/about

Thank you for trying jaybelnz. I think it may forever remain a mystery.   :)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Sunday 21 August 16 11:44 BST (UK)

ScouseBoy - I'm not surprised you didn't put that down  :o :o

That's certainly not a surname I would want to be saddled with :)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Rosinish on Friday 09 September 16 17:04 BST (UK)
Not in my own tree but I know of a person with forename Caluna which is lovely.

My Gt Grandfather was called Fias,

I knew someone named Fia(z)/(s) but can't be sure of the spelling & he was of Eastern origin possibly Indian, he worked in our local Indian Restaurant?

Annie
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Friday 09 September 16 17:13 BST (UK)
I came across a Bountiful May Demellwick, a sailor, yesterday while reading through transcripts of inquests. Quite a mouthful - I wonder what he was called by his mates?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: hurworth on Wednesday 14 September 16 07:44 BST (UK)
Omar Pasha Sykes' daughter was the father-in-law of a distant cousin of mine.   I was sure there must be a transcription error but that really was his name.   He lived in Armley, near Leeds.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: mirl on Wednesday 14 September 16 07:59 BST (UK)
My aunt was investigating the history of her building which used to be the mortuary keepers cottage adjacent to the coroners court on Lower Holloway.

In the 1881 census the mortuary keeper was Robert Head who had a son named ... Richard!! :o
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Wednesday 14 September 16 08:41 BST (UK)

 :D :D :D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a chesters on Thursday 15 September 16 01:03 BST (UK)
My aunt was investigating the history of her building which used to be the mortuary keepers cottage adjacent to the coroners court on Lower Holloway.

In the 1881 census the mortuary keeper was Robert Head who had a son named ... Richard!! :o

Many years ago I worked with a supervisor with the name of... Richard Woodcock
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: barryd on Thursday 15 September 16 04:11 BST (UK)
Elsie MLISA Routledge born 14 Sep 1887, Chilton, County Durham.

I can only find 2 other Mlisa births on Free BMD.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Thursday 15 September 16 05:03 BST (UK)
Have you tried with spelling of Melissa? 

Phonetically, Melissa is almost always pronounced as Mlisa, so it could have been written down with it's phonetic pronunciation.  I've never heard anyone say Meelisa 😄
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: asmith1988 on Thursday 15 September 16 07:45 BST (UK)
My 4x great-grandfather's first name is Clever.   :-X
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Thursday 15 September 16 12:54 BST (UK)
The name's not unusual on this one, as such, but...
"James (so named by mistake of the Good Women) the daughter of Hugh and Frances Muxworthy, privately baptised July 16th 1764 [Goodleigh]."
It must have caused no end of confusion explaining her name to other people! I wonder if the family called her Jane or something similar as she got older?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Rosinish on Thursday 15 September 16 13:41 BST (UK)
I know/knew a couple who have a son named after the whole of the Glasgow Rangers Football Team at the time.

The mother is actually a cousin of my daughter's father.

Annie
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: JAKnighton on Saturday 17 September 16 16:32 BST (UK)
Not really odd, these ones from the top of my head, people I was as school with, and a few friends - don't hear many kids with them these days.  All in their 70s these days.

Lynette, Janice, Maureen, Leonie, Roderick, Tony, Philip, Diana, Geraldine, Yolande, Kevin, Brian, Garry, Glenn, Maurice, Warren. Graeme, Peter, Donald.

My grandmother and aunt are named Yolanda. My grandmother is Scottish and she was named after a (much older) cousin called Yolanda Marchi, who was half-italian.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Sunday 18 September 16 00:40 BST (UK)
My goodness JAK - all your names have just triggered memories.  Like you, some are school friends, some are work friend, then some are cousins, one a brother, one an ex husband, one my first kiss, other friends, a caretaker where I live now, 7 crushes - or boyfriends. I also have a friend Yolande, (her parents Dutch).
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Rosinish on Sunday 18 September 16 01:54 BST (UK)
Maybe not "Oddest" but certainly different & beautiful....forename "Caluna"...love it!!!

Annie
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Rosinish on Sunday 18 September 16 02:21 BST (UK)
Others which are "different", Cairn, Skye, Brie & Chardonnay although there are others.

Annie
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Sunday 18 September 16 10:34 BST (UK)

Was Cairn used as a forename Annie ? Cairn(s) was my maiden name many moons ago :-\

I love Caluna though it is very beautiful  :)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a-l on Sunday 18 September 16 13:32 BST (UK)
I have ancestor siblings Alius and Dalius but as yet their gender is unknown.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Zoe-Hannah on Sunday 25 September 16 14:01 BST (UK)
I know Alexander isn't an odd name, but his middle was, Glass.! his full name Alexander Glass Jones
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pharmaT on Sunday 25 September 16 23:46 BST (UK)
I know Alexander isn't an odd name, but his middle was, Glass.! his full name Alexander Glass Jones

My guess that was after someone with the surname Glass. His mum or grandmother's maiden name perhaps or someone associated with the family they wanted to either honour or flatter.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: sharonmx5 on Monday 26 September 16 17:40 BST (UK)
Not in my own tree but I know of a person with forename Caluna which is lovely.

My Gt Grandfather was called Fias,

I knew someone named Fia(z)/(s) but can't be sure of the spelling & he was of Eastern origin possibly Indian, he worked in our local Indian Restaurant?

Annie

Hi, sorry for the late response. This is interesting as coincidentally my Fias married a lady of Indian extraction. However his own family had no Indian connection that I'm aware of.

Thanks anyway.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: sharonmx5 on Monday 26 September 16 17:47 BST (UK)
Looking through Baptism Registers today I came across one in the year 1800 where the mother's name was Humiliation.   :o

I'm not sure whether her married name of Cook or her maiden name of Lion went better with it.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Ayashi on Monday 26 September 16 18:59 BST (UK)
I get naming your children after virtues but why, of all names, Humiliation?  ??? Unless someone was not that literate and thought it sounded good! I admit if I saw that I'd be tempted to trace Humiliation to see what her siblings were called!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: sharonmx5 on Monday 26 September 16 20:37 BST (UK)
I get naming your children after virtues but why, of all names, Humiliation?  ??? Unless someone was not that literate and thought it sounded good! I admit if I saw that I'd be tempted to trace Humiliation to see what her siblings were called!

It's dreadful isn't it. It was very clear though and written twice as they actually baptised two children. I may give tracing her a go, although it won't be too straightforward as the Church was near to a barracks so the husband may have been a soldier.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Monday 26 September 16 21:17 BST (UK)
Non-conformists such as the Wesleyans and Methodists tended to choose those sorts of bible based names. Poor Humiliation's parents may have meant to name her "Humility" which has a rather different meaning! Biblical names in general often got mangled by illiterate or poorly educated parents, and it can be a challenge to find them in censuses.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: philipsearching on Wednesday 28 September 16 11:18 BST (UK)
Found on familysearch:
Baptism, Felsham, Suffolk 20 April 1800 HAPPY DEADMAN   ???

All together now: "Isn't it grand, boys, to be bl**dy well dead!"
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a-l on Wednesday 28 September 16 12:30 BST (UK)
Thanks for that one Phillip, I'm crying with laughter
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: PrawnCocktail on Saturday 01 October 16 14:21 BST (UK)
Venadora Perry...often mistranscribed as VenceDora...I also have a Providence Butt  ;D ;D

Carol

Hate to tell you, Carol, but Vence Dora Perry was my grandfathers cousin - and he (and my father)  always spoke of her as "Vence Dora" (pronounced Ven-cee Dora)

That's not to say it isn't odd, though!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Sunday 02 October 16 12:53 BST (UK)
Just out of curiosity, PrawnCocktail, did your relations ever explain how Vence Dora came by her unusual name? It rather reminds me of a character named Adora Belle Dearheart in Terry Pratchett's book "Going Postal"!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: PrawnCocktail on Sunday 02 October 16 15:29 BST (UK)
Alas, no! I remember hearing the name when I was a child, and liking just the sound of it. But I never thought to ask where they'd got it from!

The Perry's were boatmen on the Weaver Canal, they could have picked it up from anywhere. They went down the Canal, and even over to Liverpool - Vence Dora's dad was in the Victoria Dock in the 1881 Census, so it could have come from anywhere in the world. And he wouldn't have had a clue how to spell it!  ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Sunday 09 October 16 11:04 BST (UK)
What a shame you'll never know the source of Vence Dora's name, Prawncocktail! Maybe it was the name of one of the vessels on the docks. Was it passed down through her descendants?

Here are some more contributions to the odd names list, from Sussex registers:
George Hedgehog (appropriately enough, a gardener by trade) who was buried in Clayton in 1753
The Hogsflesh family, whose son Francis was buried in Brighton in 1743
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Andrew Tarr on Monday 17 October 16 17:34 BST (UK)
In my Turton parish - which by now is pretty familiar - a new strain arrived in the 1830s called Fish, which in itself is not especially strange.  However one member appears to been named Fish, i.e. his full name was Fish Fish.  Either that, or he simply had no forename at all ....
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Rosinish on Monday 28 November 16 14:19 GMT (UK)
Just found a Mary Moonlight...

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XYSQ-6V2

I haven't looked for others with that surname nor have I seen it before.

Annie
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Sloe Gin on Monday 28 November 16 15:40 GMT (UK)
Alas, no! I remember hearing the name when I was a child, and liking just the sound of it. But I never thought to ask where they'd got it from!

The Perry's were boatmen on the Weaver Canal, they could have picked it up from anywhere. They went down the Canal, and even over to Liverpool - Vence Dora's dad was in the Victoria Dock in the 1881 Census, so it could have come from anywhere in the world. And he wouldn't have had a clue how to spell it!  ;D

Canals .... I wonder if someone misread Venice - saw a painting of it perhaps, and read the title as Venice.  Just a thought. 

Vence of course is a place in the South of France, again perhaps someone saw a picture or read about it and pronounced it as it looked to them.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Sloe Gin on Wednesday 30 November 16 13:14 GMT (UK)
ooops - That should of course say "read the title as Vence".
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: littlesis 76 on Thursday 01 December 16 23:25 GMT (UK)
I had a siblings  who where named Orange and Lemon ,sadly Orange died aged 7 but Lemon went on to name his eldest Lemon
My favourite was Cook Rice from Suffolk he also called his son Cook so must of liked his name 😀😀
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: mijath on Friday 02 December 16 00:27 GMT (UK)
When I first found my 4 x great grandmother I was sure her name was Ann Teak. I later realised it was actually Feak.

I was particularly confused when I found an ancestor in the 1630s named his daughter Matthew. This was apparently not unusual in Norfolk at the time.

I find certain biblical names odd - Mehetabel and Nazareth spring to mind.

Ann Feak's own grandmother had twins named Marmaduke and Bolland. I've always liked those as a pair.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Friday 02 December 16 01:56 GMT (UK)

I found a marriage tonight of a BELLY RYDING ~ took me an age to realise it should have been Betty Ryding.

I'm blaming the wine ;)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a chesters on Friday 02 December 16 02:50 GMT (UK)
Yours or theirs  :D :D :D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: barryd on Friday 02 December 16 04:06 GMT (UK)
Two female first names with one example of each in my lines.

Loana only 15 on Free BMD. Most predominately in County Durham (3).

Mliss only 14 on Free BMD. Most predominately in (now) Greater London (3). 


Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Maiden Stone on Friday 02 December 16 13:11 GMT (UK)
I also found a child called Doctor.
Several babies baptised as "Silence" in same parish early 18thC.
Father & son with Mozart as 1st name in 19thC Lancashire.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: barryd on Friday 02 December 16 13:26 GMT (UK)
Doctor or Doc fairly common in Southern States of America
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: andrewalston on Monday 05 December 16 12:11 GMT (UK)
Just been listening to a podcast from the National Archives. Towards the end they mentioned several names which had caused them hassles when analysing data. There were a few military ones, such as Colonel Brook, who was only a private and Major Phillips, who was a Lance Corporal.

Richard & Elizabeth Holliday, of Grimsby, named their son, born 7 November 1900, "Christmas".

Thomas and Alice Day of Hoo, near Gravesend in Kent, managed to name their son, born 18 May 1899, "Time Of". On his transfer from the Royal Navy to the newly formed R.A.F., someone wrote on his record "Half past 2". His parents ran a pub - were they drunk at the time?
 :D  :D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Monday 05 December 16 14:08 GMT (UK)
Oh, dear, some people are really mean to their children! Did poor old "Time of" introduce himself as Tim, I wonder?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a chesters on Monday 05 December 16 23:34 GMT (UK)
Heard on the radio this morning, parents named first child Mono, and second one Stereo. :'( :'( :'( :-[ :-[ :-[

Some people are cruel. >:( >:(
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: TwasBrillig on Tuesday 06 December 16 03:08 GMT (UK)
Alas, these are not ones I have serendipitously found in my lineage...

Ellen U Bastard:- https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2XS7-CBN;
Brian Ugly Johnson:- https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVMZ-LQ4V
Samuel Smell Wiltshire:-https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGZJ-K9D
Captain Vomit:- https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KBMB-7Y7
Anita Arse:- https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KWKN-RJD

Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Rosinish on Friday 09 December 16 13:56 GMT (UK)

Was Cairn used as a forename Annie ? Cairn(s) was my maiden name many moons ago :-\

I love Caluna though it is very beautiful  :)

Sorry claire, missed this (don't get emails)...Cairn I've come across on 'Fancestry' as a forename (quite a few).

Another strange one;

GULIELMUS MCGRINE

Scottish Catholic Deaths (SP) 1861

Another more recent, know of someone forename Coral (beautiful) & Scottish

Annie


Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Andrew Tarr on Friday 09 December 16 14:03 GMT (UK)
Heard on the radio this morning, parents named first child Mono, and second one Stereo. :'( :'( :'( :-[ :-[ 
I wonder if they got as far as Quadra ?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: CarolA3 on Friday 09 December 16 14:59 GMT (UK)
Another strange one;

GULIELMUS MCGRINE

Scottish Catholic Deaths (SP) 1861

Another more recent, know of someone forename Coral (beautiful) & Scottish
Annie, there was a Coral in an English village where I used to live - neither beautiful nor Scottish!  She was thoroughly unpleasant, and unemployable for reasons I can't go into here.  I wouldn't have cared but she wanted to be known as Carol, and people often assumed I was her :o

It took me a while to figure out why some of the locals were a bit standoffish.  A pity, as Coral is a lovely name otherwise.

(And no doubt you already know that Gulielmus is the Latin for William.)

Carol
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: littlesis 76 on Friday 09 December 16 15:41 GMT (UK)
Yesterday I found a " Equator Maria Oneida Brown"
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Maiden Stone on Friday 09 December 16 20:22 GMT (UK)
Was Equator born on board ship by any chance?
A marriage in Cockerham, Lancashire late 16th or 17thC. Bride was Sweetlips. She had another forename. I'd like to know if Sweetlips was a real name or a nickname. If anyone has her in their family tree, please tell me.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Kiltpin on Tuesday 13 December 16 15:14 GMT (UK)
I once served with an airman called Prickhard (not Prichard). His parents named him Richard. So, of course he was known as Dick Prick Hard.

Regards

Chas
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Mart 'n' Al on Tuesday 13 December 16 15:31 GMT (UK)
My partner has three sisters as ancestors, Faith, Hope and Charity.  They were triplets, but for many years I didn't realise that they were triplets.  I assumed they were successive births.  I often used to wonder, if the third one had been a boy if they could have ended up as Faith, Hope and Trevor, before finding out that they were triplets.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Rosinish on Tuesday 13 December 16 15:47 GMT (UK)
Another strange one;

GULIELMUS MCGRINE

Scottish Catholic Deaths (SP) 1861

Another more recent, know of someone forename Coral (beautiful) & Scottish
Annie, there was a Coral in an English village where I used to live - neither beautiful nor Scottish! 

(And no doubt you already know that Gulielmus is the Latin for William.)

Carol

Carol,

Sorry to have mislead you, the Coral I mentioned was born in Scotland, I didn't mean that it was a 'Scottish' name  :)

I can empathise with you on the mistaken identity scenario....

A friend of mine had a fairly unusual forename & there was another of the same forename who frequented same places as my friend.

However, said other was not too popular for different reasons which I won't mention but there were a few times my friend was mistaken as being the other presumably because only the forename was ever referred to, never a surname  ::)

I may also have mislead you on GULIELMUS MCGRINE as I was meaning it wouldn't be common for researching although it does have a nice ring to it.
I think the Catholic Register was a clue to being Latin  :)

Annie
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: TwasBrillig on Tuesday 13 December 16 16:51 GMT (UK)
The following name belongs to very respectable looking lady in one of my family trees whose demeanour is quite at odds with her name, which is Miss Fanny Monger.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Petros on Thursday 22 December 16 21:36 GMT (UK)
my 5 x Great grandfather Loveless (Lovelefs) Moorcraft, 1751-1838
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Aussie Roy on Tuesday 27 December 16 10:41 GMT (UK)
My late wife's relative William Wingate married Fanny Pincher
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: lintywhite on Saturday 31 December 16 02:46 GMT (UK)
Keeping with the Fannys....Fanny COCK daughter of daughter of John and Eliza born 1878 NSW Australia. Not my direct line, but a side branch.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Saturday 31 December 16 11:42 GMT (UK)
This one has a seasonal ring to it: Cherubim Millet, glover of Barnstaple. No relation to me, but included in a list of lessees of property in Castle Street, Barnstaple.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Aussie Roy on Saturday 31 December 16 13:05 GMT (UK)
Came across this one in 1891 census......Char Cole. There were two
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Vance Mead on Saturday 31 December 16 14:04 GMT (UK)
Not a surname but a place name. Halnaker, Sussex, in the 15th and 16th centuries was known as Halfnaked.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: andrewalston on Monday 02 January 17 09:49 GMT (UK)
Just come across a girl called PATERELLEN.

Her birth is the only mention in FreeBMD. By 1851 she had become plain ELLEN.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Thursday 12 January 17 23:45 GMT (UK)

Not really odd but a bit of a mouthful, found this marriage entry in America:

Edward Williamson married A Kish Seth Pit E She ( The Woman Who Blacks Her Face) in Montana 1873.

Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: barryd on Friday 13 January 17 01:27 GMT (UK)
I am linked into a family variously with the surname, Freik, Friek, Freack, Freick etc. all County Durham.
Even some with the proper spelling of Freak. I am sure that the ladies with that name were so pleased to get married. 
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Friday 13 January 17 01:29 GMT (UK)
I'm sure all the brides marrying a Mr Freak were not so happy ~ if his name was Ivor or she was an Ima  :D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Friday 13 January 17 09:12 GMT (UK)
I've come across these in the last couple of weeks:
Alverda or Alvarda (spellings vary)
Lenda
Narcissus Moorhead Pinch

Lenda became Linda, over time (understandably), but I do wonder how Narcissus fared. Presumably his first name was shortened to something more manageable by his nearest and dearest, but to what is anybody's guess!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Treetotal on Saturday 14 January 17 00:24 GMT (UK)
Venadora Perry...often mistranscribed as VenceDora...I also have a Providence Butt  ;D ;D

Carol

Hate to tell you, Carol, but Vence Dora Perry was my grandfathers cousin - and he (and my father)  always spoke of her as "Vence Dora" (pronounced Ven-cee Dora)

That's not to say it isn't odd, though!

What a coincidence.....In the 1901 census she is listed as Vena Dora Blower after marrying so I assumed this was correct....she is down as Vence Dora in 1881 census though...she was sister of my OH's Great Grandad, Ernest Perry born Castle Northwick, Cheshire....all the Perry males were Boatmen and Lightermen.
I have a lovely photo of Ernest Perry with his Daughter Elsie and her Husband Horace taken on the street in Liverpool in the 1940s
Small world eh!!!!
Carol
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Erato on Saturday 14 January 17 01:37 GMT (UK)
Vence Dora.  What a great name.  Vencedora = [female] winner in Spanish.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: mrsruz on Saturday 14 January 17 06:39 GMT (UK)
Who in their right mind would name their child Admiral Horatio Nelson Firth ???
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: PrawnCocktail on Saturday 14 January 17 12:44 GMT (UK)
Vence Dora.  What a great name.  Vencedora = [female] winner in Spanish.

Really?? What a lovely thing to call her!

Reckon they must have picked that up from a Spanish boat / sailor in Liverpool docks sometime.

How is it pronounced in Spanish?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Treetotal on Saturday 14 January 17 14:17 GMT (UK)
Vence Dora.  What a great name.  Vencedora = [female] winner in Spanish.


Thanks for that...you learn something new every day on here...have made a note of it.
PC...Cuz...... ;D....photos are on their way to you :D
Carol
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Erato on Saturday 14 January 17 18:42 GMT (UK)
Vencedora.  How you pronounce it depends on where you're from, Spain or Latin America.  The 'c' sort of mutates into a 'th' kind of sound in Castilian but sounds like an 's' in Latin America.  Here are some samples:

http://www.pronouncekiwi.com/vencedora
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: JAKnighton on Sunday 15 January 17 12:46 GMT (UK)
The name doesn't sound unusual at all to me now, but when I first started researching I only knew up to my great-grandfather so I was just blindly looking at whatever Knightons came up in searches.

I had a long list of Knightons in the Birth Indexes in the area dating back to 1837 and I was just browsing through them, with no clue who I was related to or not.

I came across "Jabez Knighton". I thought, what an odd name! Turns out he was my 3x great grandfather.

I quite like the name now, I'm potentially considering bringing it back into the family should I ever have kids.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Sunday 15 January 17 14:24 GMT (UK)

It is a nice name Jabez, but going back to KNIGHTON ~ not sure where my 8x Gt Grandfather originated from but crops up in Saltash in Cornwall.

An earlier ancestor was called NIGHTEN Jeffery from Madron which is a fair way from Saltash.

 I have read that the first instance the name Nighten/Knighton crops up is in Worcestershire where they held a family seat.

claire

Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Aussie Roy on Friday 20 January 17 06:05 GMT (UK)
I found a ' Friday Reeve Robinson'    Anything to do with Man Friday and Robinson Crusoe ?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Celticcrafter on Monday 30 January 17 22:08 GMT (UK)
My husband has a Francis "Peanuts" Huber.  Peanuts is even on his marriage certificate.  He was born in 1802 in Germany and Died there in 1874.  We have never been able to figure that one out.
cc
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Aussie Roy on Tuesday 31 January 17 03:42 GMT (UK)
My husband has a Francis "Peanuts" Huber.  Peanuts is even on his marriage certificate.  He was born in 1802 in Germany and Died there in 1874.  We have never been able to figure that one out.
cc
Could he be related to Charles Schultz  ?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: BushInn1746 on Monday 13 March 17 11:18 GMT (UK)
My husband has a Francis "Peanuts" Huber.  Peanuts is even on his marriage certificate.  He was born in 1802 in Germany and Died there in 1874.  We have never been able to figure that one out.
cc

Seem to think Huber were food merchants / processors.

This might be linked, seems the original family and current company span 300 years, in various guises?
http://www.huber.com/


Or he made his living from, or had investment in the production/processing/selling of peanuts. The reason why American President Jimmy Carter, a farmer, was called 'Peanuts Carter'.

Regards Mark
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jamcat95 on Saturday 18 March 17 09:28 GMT (UK)
Here is a family of 8 children with some strange names but the fact that they followed the Swedish alphabet is even more strange. This is an actual family from Höganäs in Sweden.
Here is the actual image from the Church Book I posted a while back: http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=717263.0
Also a link on the family: http://www.rootschat.com/links/01jqb/


Albin Bertrand Carl David
Evelyn Femi Gotton Henriette
Imri Johan Knut Lamuel
Maria Nanna Othilia Persi
Quintus Rurek Sten Thure
Uno Witus Xeriph Yngvar
Zebi Århild Ädla Ödevi
Per Uno Gustaf Walentin


Ian

Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ThrelfallYorky on Saturday 18 March 17 15:53 GMT (UK)
!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: marcie on Monday 20 March 17 16:59 GMT (UK)
I have an Elizabeth Breadstry, (name taken from marriage lines) not born or christened in village where she is supposed to have come from nor villages local. This woman has had me stumped for years
Marcie x
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ThrelfallYorky on Tuesday 21 March 17 17:20 GMT (UK)
"Breadstry"? Now that sounds like a prime candidate for trying ever more outlandish versions of the surname in order to discover her?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Jennieie on Tuesday 21 March 17 18:01 GMT (UK)
I saw someone post the other day regarding a Surname "Gotobed".... best name ever!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Erato on Tuesday 21 March 17 19:27 GMT (UK)
"Gotobed"

How about Muchotrigo [= Lots of wheat], Panduro [= Hard bread] or Paniagua [= Bread and water], all fairly common in Perú.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: smudwhisk on Tuesday 21 March 17 20:01 GMT (UK)
I saw someone post the other day regarding a Surname "Gotobed".... best name ever!

There are quite a lot of them in Cambridgeshire, I have some as a sideline.  One of the sons changed his family name to his mother's maiden name after the first few children.  I don't think it was because of a bequest from a relative's Will, probably decided he preferred her surname which was Vipan. ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Thursday 23 March 17 16:41 GMT (UK)
I've been chasing after individuals named Archelaus through several generations of a friend's family tree (which is pretty unusual and sometimes rendered as Hercules), then came across this one which is a corker:
Adonibezeck Brookum - try saying that when you've had a few!!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a chesters on Friday 24 March 17 02:48 GMT (UK)
I have trouble when sober :o :o :o
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: SwissGill on Friday 24 March 17 07:43 GMT (UK)
I saw someone post the other day regarding a Surname "Gotobed".... best name ever!

I knew a Mrs Gotobed. There were quite a few in Cheshire.

How about Shufflebottom - a classmate of mine.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: bob1066 on Sunday 26 March 17 15:35 BST (UK)
As though Zappa was not odd enough already, Frank Zappa named one of his daughters Moon Unit. I have often wondered how she feels about it; maybe she just shrugs it off, it's just her name after all.

That may not count, as it's a concocted name almost certainly with the express intention of sounding strange. Names adopted by the person later in life also should not count, such as the guy in Australia some years ago who legally changed his name to Z. That was it - the full name. (Pronounced "zed".)

For genuine surnames, I once had a lecturer whose surname was Er. He was Burmese. For all I know, Er might be a very common name in Burma/Myanmar, and he may have thought names like Jones and Kelly and Williams were weird.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: John915 on Sunday 26 March 17 16:04 BST (UK)
Good afternoon, when OH was first working for the library service they had a lady called Mrs "Rain-in-her-Face Crow".  She was a full blood red indian, can't remember what nation.

John915.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Colin Bateman on Wednesday 29 March 17 04:16 BST (UK)
My first posting.
I taught a Chris Quack whose father was a doctor in Switzerland. Col B
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Andrew Tarr on Wednesday 29 March 17 09:30 BST (UK)
.... She was a full blood red indian, can't remember what nation.

You must mean Native American (or perhaps Canadian) - the PC brigade are quite sensitive these days ...  :(
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: loandy on Thursday 30 March 17 23:55 BST (UK)
I had an uncle who,s nickname was Doode , never knew why he was called that, When visiting the Borders area of Scotland ,Roxbrough where my GGreat grandfather lived for many years before coming to Australia a lady helping me with my history told me that as his name was George he would have been known as Doode, Another mystery cleared up,
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Mamsoth on Friday 07 April 17 11:54 BST (UK)
I found an Octavius Flick in an old document, sounded like a Dickens character to me  8)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Seaton Smithy on Tuesday 11 April 17 22:41 BST (UK)
As though Zappa was not odd enough already, Frank Zappa named one of his daughters Moon Unit. I have often wondered how she feels about it; maybe she just shrugs it off, it's just her name after all.

Frank Zappa named his four children Moon Unit, Dweezil, Ahmet and Diva Muffin.

He was once asked about whether he felt he had made things difficult for his children by giving them unusual names and replied that he felt that the worst thing he had done for his children was giving them the surname Zappa.

The name Dweezil was originally a nickname for his wife's deformed toe.  When he announced that he was naming his newborn son Dweezil the hospital refused to register it and so the official registration read Ian Donald Calvin Euclid, the middle names of his band members at the time.   When Dweezil learned that his birth certificate had his name listed as Ian Donald Calvin Euclid Zappa he asked his parents to have it changed.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Seaton Smithy on Tuesday 11 April 17 22:44 BST (UK)
I can't recall if I posted this before, but:

Andrewbella

Not unique, but certainly not common. In the case I found it certainly threw the Registrar who recorded it as Isabella which the family had amended later.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Erato on Tuesday 11 April 17 23:07 BST (UK)
I actually knew someone named Illinois Central [surname withheld since he may still be alive].  Presumably his father worked for the railroad.

Here in Ecuador a few years ago, Usnavy [pronounced Oose nah vee with the stress on the second syllable] gained some popularity along the central coast when the US Navy had a base at Manta that pumped considerable money into the local economy.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Seaton Smithy on Tuesday 11 April 17 23:38 BST (UK)
I actually knew someone named Illinois Central [surname withheld since he may still be alive]. 

There appears to have been an Illinois Central, Senior so presumably there is an Illinois Central, Junior as well.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Foehn on Saturday 22 April 17 09:41 BST (UK)
One thing that always bemused me was the use of "Bastard" as a surname... Surely that's not something that one would want to advertise?
I believe the origin of surnames with Fitz at the beginning was because an ancestor was born on the wrong side of the blanket. The above name probably wasn't considered a swear word as it is today.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: coombs on Saturday 22 April 17 12:05 BST (UK)
I come across a Cortes Prothero when looking for a marriage of a Coombs ancestor. I thought with a colourful name like that he was Spanish. But I researched him and found his dad was Welsh. Prothero is a Welsh name.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a-l on Saturday 22 April 17 12:39 BST (UK)
One from one of my side lines Lydia Coffin  :D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Saturday 22 April 17 13:25 BST (UK)
There is a long line of Bastards with a county seat in Devon who stretch back to William the Conqueror's time. Apparently the surname originally signified that you were an illegitimate son of a Norman nobleman but recognised as your father's potential heir along with his legitimate sons. It was borne with pride then, but it came to have a more derogatory meaning as time went on.

"Fitz" is the French version of "son of" and is used in the same way that "Mac" is in Scotland - "MacGregor" for "Son of Gregor".
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: healyjfch on Saturday 22 April 17 14:35 BST (UK)
Thunder as a surname
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Foehn on Saturday 22 April 17 23:11 BST (UK)
Some interesting discussion about it here http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-80871.html (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-80871.html)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Simon G. on Sunday 23 April 17 11:41 BST (UK)
I found an Octavius Flick in an old document, sounded like a Dickens character to me  8)
Sounds like it's the father of Herr Flick in 'Allo 'Allo! to me.  ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: slyvia on Monday 24 April 17 21:45 BST (UK)
My fathers twin brother was called Grismond I have not seen this name before
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Nettie on Friday 05 May 17 06:35 BST (UK)
Researching for a friend and came across a 3xgreat aunt by the name of Fanny Pain ... I found this very funny. When I was telling said friend and her mother, the mother recalled a 2x cousin named Richard who was very tall (he was about 6'5 and about 2" taller than his wife). Richard was known all his life as Long Dick.

So, there you have Fanny Pain and Long Dick in the same branches of the tree... make of it what you will.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Artypie on Friday 05 May 17 09:08 BST (UK)
One from one of my side lines Lydia Coffin  :D

There's a place near us that is called Woodville now but it used to be called Wooden Box. I wonder if any Coffins came from there?

Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jbml on Friday 05 May 17 14:29 BST (UK)
Here in Ecuador a few years ago, Usnavy [pronounced Oose nah vee with the stress on the second syllable] gained some popularity along the central coast when the US Navy had a base at Manta that pumped considerable money into the local economy.

Hmmmmm ... I suspect the name may generally have signified something more than just that the mother was grateful for what the American sailors were doing for the local economy ...
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: skyblue_scarlet on Friday 05 May 17 14:47 BST (UK)
My personal fav was an Uttely Butterworth, not especially odd but a great combo
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Friday 05 May 17 22:28 BST (UK)
Researching for a friend and came across a 3xgreat aunt by the name of Fanny Pain ... I found this very funny. When I was telling said friend and her mother, the mother recalled a 2x cousin named Richard who was very tall (he was about 6'5 and about 2" taller than his wife). Richard was known all his life as Long Dick.

So, there you have Fanny Pain and Long Dick in the same branches of the tree... make of it what you will.

 ;D ;D ;D. That reminds me of a rhyme that my kids used to chant!  Using Fanny and Long's names it would sound like this!

Fanny Pain and Long Dick up a tree,

"K -I - S - S -I - N - G
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Friday 05 May 17 22:37 BST (UK)

and the rest JB...

First comes love, then comes marriage
Then comes baby in a baby carriage.

Think it was a jump rope game ... I think ::)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Saturday 06 May 17 08:35 BST (UK)
Yes, I remember those extra lines now - and I think you're right on with jump rope game! 😄
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jestina_d on Monday 22 May 17 11:06 BST (UK)
I thought my contribution was really interesting until I read some of those already posted.

Ciderdrinker -- got to love Cheese and Onion.  And I wonder if they're related to John Cleese (whose father's surname was originally Cheese).

Nettie -- I don't think I can compete with Fanny Pain and Long Dick.

A-L -- Lydia Coffin! 

Jamcat95 -- often a name seems quite normal by itself, but becomes more eccentric when placed within the context of the whole family.  A lot of hard work and planning went into that family.

JAKnighton -- Jabez is Biblical, meaning "son of my sorrow".  The name was quite common in some parts of England in the nineteenth century, but much less so in the twentieth.  I had an Uncle Jabe.

Mine seems less exciting with every page that I read.  My ancestor born mid-seventeenth-century England, during the Commonwealth.  The family surname was DAY and given that she was baptised four weeks after Sunday it looks likely that she was born on Easter Sunday.  Her name was Easter Day.

Bearnan -- I also have triplets named Faith, Hope and Charity in my tree, born in Yorkshire in 1803 and all died with in a few weeks.  The names sound as though their parents held (justifiable) fears for their survival and wanted to hasten their admission to heaven.  Are those on you friend's tree surnamed PEARSON?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a-l on Monday 22 May 17 15:09 BST (UK)
I have one family with funny names, well when matched with their surname. I will have to look them up as I can only remember two offhand.
Preserved  and brother Remain with surname Strong.  :-\
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: BushInn1746 on Wednesday 31 May 17 00:04 BST (UK)
Around the mid 20th Century, the name of our local pub Licensee was "Jack Frost".

The mid-wife involved in my care at birth, advised my mother not to call me 'Robin' for my first name. Because when shortened it would have been Robin Hood.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: garbfink on Wednesday 28 June 17 16:43 BST (UK)
OK here we go.. I know I'm a big child and I hope no-one has come accross this one before....

I was searching through my DNA matches and looking at peoples trees when I stumbled accross this lady.

Frances Chaffe - Born 29 Jan 1813
1841 Census has her recorded as 'Frances Shepherd'
1851 Census has her recorded as 'Fanny Shepherd'

Meaning that before she was married she was known as..

FANNY CHAFFE

Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: doddsie4 on Saturday 15 July 17 15:16 BST (UK)
       I saw a family with the surname CHICKEN on a census.      I still wonder about the teasing that family must have had to endure, especially the children when growing up.      Still, I couldn't help but laugh.    Who wouldn't?

       How cruel life is.       
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: CarolA3 on Saturday 15 July 17 15:57 BST (UK)
I believe that 10 Downing Street, before it became the Prime Minister's London residence, was owned and occupied by a Mr Chicken.  He was a very nice man.

It must be true because Doctor Who (the 10th one) mentioned it once :D

Carol
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Bearnan on Saturday 15 July 17 17:18 BST (UK)
Hello jestina_d, I've only just seen your post about Faith,Hope and Charity  ;D when I see my cousin I'll as her what the family name was.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Saturday 15 July 17 22:05 BST (UK)
A day or two ago I found a Salmon Mash Beart in a census return; the birth registration also gives that as his actual name, so not a mistranscription!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: teddygreen1 on Wednesday 19 July 17 18:59 BST (UK)
i speaking to my cousin jestina-d at the moment she seems to think that her faith , hope and charity were  early 1900 but needs to look at it . she seems to think their moms name was  coleman. sue thinks the  connection was another  daughter was alice possibly 1862 who married a patrick tuffey   
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: teddygreen1 on Wednesday 19 July 17 19:28 BST (UK)
message from jestina-d
Bearnan -- I also have triplets named Faith, Hope and Charity in my tree, born in Yorkshire in 1803 and all died with in a few weeks.  The names sound as though their parents held (justifiable) fears for their survival and wanted to hasten their admission to heaven.  Are those on you friend's tree surnamed PEARSON?
[/quote]
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jestina_d on Thursday 20 July 17 03:03 BST (UK)
Thank you for checking Teddygreen1

I guess if a church-going family had girl triplets Faith, Hope and Charity was the default position for names.

Cheers,
Jestina
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: coombs on Thursday 20 July 17 12:00 BST (UK)
A day or two ago I found a Salmon Mash Beart in a census return; the birth registration also gives that as his actual name, so not a mistranscription!

You can tell I am addicted to genealogy with the following question. Where was this birth as I have Beart rellies from Suffolk?

I have also come across people named Deliverance.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geordie daughter on Thursday 20 July 17 12:46 BST (UK)
No more addicted than the rest of us!!!! The answer to your question is Jun Q 1875, Ipswich, Suffolk, Coombs. He's the son of Frederick William Beart and Kezia Annie nee Vinall. If there's a link to your Bearts please do let me know: he's a descendant of James and Hannah Beart of Wickham Market and I've been slowly but surely tracking them all down.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: coombs on Thursday 20 July 17 14:10 BST (UK)
No more addicted than the rest of us!!!! The answer to your question is Jun Q 1875, Ipswich, Suffolk, Coombs. He's the son of Frederick William Beart and Kezia Annie nee Vinall. If there's a link to your Bearts please do let me know: he's a descendant of James and Hannah Beart of Wickham Market and I've been slowly but surely tracking them all down.

Sent a PM.

On The Genealogist I found a surname transcription that is a swear word. Not my job to report it though.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Maiden Stone on Wednesday 26 July 17 03:00 BST (UK)
Not odd but these names are appropriate for their bearer's occupation.
Robert Chippendale, joiner. Mary Chippendale married a carpenter.
 Father of William Leatherbarrow Askew was a husbandman.

However James Fishy, butcher, was in the wrong job.

 Mary Corless was careless when she conceived her illegitimate son.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Wednesday 26 July 17 03:24 BST (UK)
No more addicted than the rest of us!!!! The answer to your question is Jun Q 1875, Ipswich, Suffolk, Coombs. He's the son of Frederick William Beart and Kezia Annie nee Vinall. If there's a link to your Bearts please do let me know: he's a descendant of James and Hannah Beart of Wickham Market and I've been slowly but surely tracking them all down.

Sent a PM.

On The Genealogist I found a surname transcription that is a swear word. Not my job to report it though.

Is that the name from royalty or nobility that was usually referred to an illiegimate child!  I actually had a boss once with that for a surname, so they're around. He was actually a really nice man, not at all like his unfortunate name, but he did pronounce it slightly differently, with the emphasis on the last syllable! 
If this is the name you mentioned, pop it into the surname search. http://www.surnamedb.com

A little like some people who have the surname Death.  (Pronounced De'Arth).
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: NooshieW on Wednesday 26 July 17 16:18 BST (UK)
Two great great Aunts, both who died in infancy,were baptised Falantua (Flantau on one document).
Although we have extensively researched this name we cannot find out where it originated from.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a-l on Wednesday 26 July 17 17:16 BST (UK)
Two great great Aunts, both who died in infancy,were baptised Falantua (Flantau on one document).
Although we have extensively researched this name we cannot find out where it originated from.
It has southern hemisphere sound to it , NZ , Samoa that area.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: mirl on Thursday 27 July 17 00:07 BST (UK)
A very quick google search found references for Flantua in the Netherlands.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Maiden Stone on Friday 28 July 17 14:55 BST (UK)
This is a current one. A celebrity couple, a Mr West and his wife/partner have a child called North.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: GrahamSimons on Friday 28 July 17 15:01 BST (UK)
This is a current one. A celebrity couple, a Mr West and his wife/partner have a child called North.
Sort-of following on from that - the Southern Blot is a molecular biology technique named after Edwin Southern who invented it. Since then similar techniques include the northern blot, the western blot and even the south-western blot.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jestina_d on Friday 28 July 17 15:21 BST (UK)
This is a current one. A celebrity couple, a Mr West and his wife/partner have a child called North.

I have been surprised to learn that Mr West and partner were not the first to name a child North -- I have recently found a North Carter (male) on my tree, born in 1903.  Rumour has it that he was not held back in life by the name, and became an Air Vice Marshall in the RAF (yet to be confirmed).
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jillruss on Thursday 10 August 17 12:07 BST (UK)
Nothing to do with genealogy, but I was watching the athletics the other evening and one of the (I think, Jamaican) women runners was called Sparkle!!  What a lovely name - a lot to live up to, though!  ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Knight-Sunderland on Monday 21 August 17 23:29 BST (UK)
I recently found a new ancestor, Jane WOMPRA (born 1775). The surname is so unusual I thought it had to be a mistake - but no, it is a genuine surname that seemed to exist solely in the North Yorkshire region in the 18th-19th century.

A few of my favourite ancestor names -

Stirling Begbie Hood (a solid name, I like it a lot)

Benjamin Smyrke-Wyat (changed his name by deed poll from plain old 'Smirk' to sound more posh!)

Elizabeth Belch (!)


Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: CarolA3 on Tuesday 22 August 17 16:51 BST (UK)
Elizabeth Belch (!)

There are lots of Belchers in my family - a classic Oxfordshire/Berkshire name :D

Also an Elizabeth ZEKIEL, which could be a variant of Ezekiel :-\

Carol
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ThrelfallYorky on Tuesday 22 August 17 17:02 BST (UK)
"Wompra" has also been spelled "Womperer"
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Lionrhod on Thursday 07 September 17 00:34 BST (UK)
One thing that always bemused me was the use of "Bastard" as a surname... Surely that's not something that one would want to advertise?

And of course Fitz hyphenated onto a name means "bastard son." I agree - why would you want to make that public?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Lionrhod on Thursday 07 September 17 01:05 BST (UK)
My 9x Great Grandmother was called Eulalia Furze. I kind of like the name! ;D

Edit: I forgot about Sexey Pool!

I just found a Eulalia Furze too! My 7x Great Grandmother (b. Somerset, circa 1695) Interesting name.  Eulalia possibly Spanish :) No idea about the origins of 'Furze' It was her maiden name, married a John Burston.

oh, and just to add -

I have an Ancestor named Flaad, a 7x Great Grandfather named Eliphalet (have no idea how to pronounce, so I just call him Eli), a 5 x Great Grandmother Comfort (named after her gr gr Grandfather), and relatives Thankful, Mercy, and Ichabod

Also, a 4x Great Grandmother named Argent, and a 3x Great Aunt Plazy Bedingfield Ellis

My son has a Great Grandfather Ransom.

Furze is a thorny evergreen plant https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulex (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulex) also called gorse or ulex.

Eliphalet is an interesting one. I'd  try El-leaf-a-let or Eli-fallet.

Ransom's a great one. Gotta wonder about the history behind that. Some sort of family drama or shotgun wedding perhaps?

I lived for a few years in the town of Krumville NY, founded by a family named Krum. Talk about a Krummy name!

I also have a friend who knew a woman who named her daughter Chlamydia because she thought it sounded pretty. And obviously didn't know what it meant!

Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Lionrhod on Thursday 07 September 17 01:43 BST (UK)
A solicitors partnership in Leamington Spa-   Wright Hassel.

Forgive me for several posts on top of each other, but this thread is hysterical!. That law office is all the more worse/fabulous than the mythical "Dewy, Cheatham and Howe" law office from the radio show Car Talk.

My grandmother's name was Erdine, and seems to be the second of two Erdine cousins in the family. One of her uncles was a silversmith and used to send engraved silverware with their names and his patented fox/grapes pattern to them on their birthdays. For their hope chests, I guess. (Actually a gorgeous pattern.) Erdine seems to be a form of "Undine" or siren/mermaid. Of course grandma went and compounded the horrific naming pattern by naming my mother Elga. (A version of Olga which sounds like a sort of hacking noise you use to clear your throat. I think my grandparents haven't been forgiven yet.)

On grandpa's side, he was named Zekor--Zeke for short (after his Spiritualist medium mother's spirit guide) For years we couldn't find his records. It turned out that the nurse at the hospital where he was born thought Zekor was a horrible name, and actually named him herself! His legal first and middle names on his birth certificate are Rudolf Zekor (like that's so much better!)

And while some of the names on this thread are messed up beyond belief, what kind of balls does it take to say, "sorry as a nurse, I find this name unacceptable, so I'm going to change it." ??

Just out of curiosity, how many of you hate your given names, or hated your names as a child and later made peace with them? My given name is very pretty, but in school none of my teachers could spell or pronounce it right, so it caused me challenges as a kid.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: barryd on Thursday 07 September 17 05:30 BST (UK)
Admonition Drew
bap 9 Oct 1768
Stoke Damerel, Devon, England

parents
William Drew and (here we go again)
Joyce Gay
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ThrelfallYorky on Thursday 07 September 17 16:19 BST (UK)
Isn't "Ransom" more likely to be linked with where wild garlic grew? (Not a place for vampires!)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: GrahamSimons on Thursday 07 September 17 17:58 BST (UK)
Isn't "Ransom" more likely to be linked with where wild garlic grew? (Not a place for vampires!)

I'd go for a Biblical allusion, e.g. Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Lionrhod on Thursday 07 September 17 23:08 BST (UK)

That would be great buying a map like that and having the provenance too.

Im not sure about my maiden surname Cairns, I know it's Scottish: and translates to either a pile of stones used as a boundary marker or memorial, although I have found some interesting reading on the Clava Cairns .

Not sure I'd want a picture of a pile of stones  :D ;D

The faeries of the British Isles, also known as the Sidhe were said to come from cairns. The word Sidhe translates as "People of the Hollow Hills." AKA cairns.

Some cairns were small piles of markers, sometimes marking a trail or landmark. Others were burial chambers. There are varied theories on whether the Sidhe were merely the earliest inhabitants of the Isles, Picts or actual visitors from an interdimensional plane. So perhaps the surname Cairn points to Faery ancestry. Or just living near one. Or perhaps being a tracker, or scout.

Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Lionrhod on Thursday 07 September 17 23:34 BST (UK)
There is that theory on how the Amerindian fathers named their children after the first thing they saw on being told of the birth.
Wait, no maybe that's the start of a joke....  ;) ;D

In most Native American/First Peoples families (at least before the Europeans came along) a child was indeed named for their birth events, however it was normally (in a majority of tribes) the mother who named them. In fact, a huge number of tribes were matriarchal or matrilineal. A man's closest relative was his sister, not his wife.

Just to add confusion to those searching their genealogies, often during their adulthood rites (around puberty and usually following a vision quest) Native children may have changed their name.

Even worse (for genealogists) it wasn't (and still isn't for those who keep to the old ways) uncommon to have people take on yet more names as they gained victories, had other revelations and so forth. For instance, Crazy Horse of the Oglala Souix garnered that name because, "his horse was crazy". But he was born as (reports vary on the translation "Into the Wilderness" or "Among the Trees." And he also had the nicknames of Curly and Light Hair.

Even more challenging, those children who were taken from their parents and raised in Indian schools were often given "normal European" names such as Michael or Stephen or Amelia to erase their Native roots.

All of it makes the game for those of us with Native ancestry even more hard to research.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Lionrhod on Thursday 07 September 17 23:43 BST (UK)
I am half expecting to find ancestors for Hyacinth.  ;)

Do let me in on the joke? Maybe it's a UK thing? Here Hyacinth is a lovely flower and also a Greek lover of the god Apollo.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Thursday 07 September 17 23:54 BST (UK)
Hi

Welcome to RootsChat :)

Here in the UK there was a TV series called Keeping up Appearances, the lead was a character called Hyacinth Bucket.

She would always tell everyone her surname was pronounced Bouquet.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Lionrhod on Friday 08 September 17 00:36 BST (UK)
Hi

Welcome to RootsChat :)

Here in the UK there was a TV series called Keeping up Appearances, the lead was a character called Hyacinth Bucket.

She would always tell everyone her surname was pronounced Bouquet.

Ah a TV show. That makes sense.

Thanks for the welcome!

In my family there aren't a lot of weird names that we've found yet. At least not so far as general western European names. One was Gillette (which does make me wonder if the razor folks owe me a bit of dough on their biz!

Another interesting one is Cathers. We know we are related to Willa Cather and that the family had a big fight (it seems to be a thing our family does every couple generations and has a huge battle) where half the family dropped the s on the end of the surname. I've wondered if they come originally from Cathar (Pyrenees) heretics.

But then we have the Eastern Europeans. Spelling nightmare. I am grateful my grandma never actually married my dad's father because we're looking at Drzewuszewski. Alphabet with a D.

My buddies and I have a joke about some British names/words that seemed appropriate here:

Welsh Wheel of Fortune:

"Give me an L" "Ding ding ding ding!"
"Give me a D" "Ding ding ding!"
"Give me a W" "Ding ding ding!"
"I'd like to buy a vowel." *Failure BEEP noise.*

It's rumored that the Welsh sold all their vowels to the Scotts.  ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: dobfarm on Friday 08 September 17 10:25 BST (UK)
Hi

Welcome to RootsChat :)

Here in the UK there was a TV series called Keeping up Appearances, the lead was a character called Hyacinth Bucket.

She would always tell everyone her surname was pronounced Bouquet.

It funny you mention 'Keeping up Appearances', just of late, I found an ancestor who married a hubby with a surname of Yates, first thing that sprung to mind was Eddie Yeats of Coronation Street soap played by actor Geoffrey Hughes, and who went on to play Hyacinth Bucket-woman's brother in law Onslow -with an occupation of bone idle, lacey & work shy  . ;D ~~  was hilarious  - UK TV comedy programme"

Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Finley 1 on Friday 08 September 17 11:21 BST (UK)
Well my first unusual name was Hepzibah, but I now love it and realise there are lots, then I find Grizel who is my lovely lovely 2nd cousin.

But nowadays, some of the names the transcribers come up with are hilarious. 

xin

My daughters used to tease one of their sisters about being 'Hyacinth'  and she is to this day...
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Maiden Stone on Friday 08 September 17 16:22 BST (UK)
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_vault/2013/09/13/puritan_names_lists_of_bizarre_religious_nomenclature_used_by_puritans.html

"If-Christ-had-not-died-for-thee-thou-hadst-been-damned. Praise-God's son, he made a name for himself as an economist. But, for some inexplicable reason, he decided to go by the name Nicolas Barbon."
I choked laughing.

Some of the ones on that list... Oh dear. It does make you wonder what they were referred to in everyday life though.
"Brother" I expect.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Maiden Stone on Friday 08 September 17 16:57 BST (UK)
One thing that always bemused me was the use of "Bastard" as a surname... Surely that's not something that one would want to advertise?

And of course Fitz hyphenated onto a name means "bastard son." I agree - why would you want to make that public?
Fitz was Norman-French for son, fils, in a time before surnames. An example of an equivalent surname is Johnson. Neither necessarily indicates illegitimacy.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Maiden Stone on Friday 08 September 17 20:16 BST (UK)
Hi

Welcome to RootsChat :)

Here in the UK there was a TV series called Keeping up Appearances, the lead was a character called Hyacinth Bucket.

She would always tell everyone her surname was pronounced Bouquet.

Ah a TV show. That makes sense.

Thanks for the welcome!

In my family there aren't a lot of weird names that we've found yet. At least not so far as general western European names. One was Gillette (which does make me wonder if the razor folks owe me a bit of dough on their biz!

Another interesting one is Cathers. We know we are related to Willa Cather and that the family had a big fight (it seems to be a thing our family does every couple generations and has a huge battle) where half the family dropped the s on the end of the surname. I've wondered if they come originally from Cathar (Pyrenees) heretics.

But then we have the Eastern Europeans. Spelling nightmare. I am grateful my grandma never actually married my dad's father because we're looking at Drzewuszewski. Alphabet with a D.

My buddies and I have a joke about some British names/words that seemed appropriate here:

Welsh Wheel of Fortune:

"Give me an L" "Ding ding ding ding!"
"Give me a D" "Ding ding ding!"
"Give me a W" "Ding ding ding!"
"I'd like to buy a vowel." *Failure BEEP noise.*

It's rumored that the Welsh sold all their vowels to the Scotts.  ;D


Hyacinth Bucket "pronounced Bouquet" was a massive snob. She went to great lengths to hide her less than respectable family background, with hilarious results. Hyacinth's sisters had floral names too. The actress who played Hyacinth starred in a later TV series as Hetty Wainthrop, a Lancashire housewife turned private detective.

Gillette may have been Gilet or Gillet or Gillot. Possibly French? It's also found in England. A census search of 1841 & 51 shows that 1/4-1/3 were in or from Lancashire, many in the Fylde region of that county. The only other place with a large number was London, but some of those may have originated elsewhere. There were a few in some south-western counties of England. Common spelling of surname in Lancashire was Gillet. Some of the Fylde ones were neighbours and possibly relatives of one of my Fylde families. Many were Catholic. The Fylde remained a strongly Catholic area after the English Reformation.
Have a look at Lancashire Online Parish Clerks and Lancashire BMD sites and you'll find plenty of Gillets/Gillots.  Members of  Catholic Gillet families appear in 18th & early 19th century parish marriage and burial registers. Sometimes their children's births were recorded in baptismal registers. The Catholic Record Society published transcripts of some early Catholic registers 100 years ago. CRS devoted a whole volume of their journal to Fylde registers. 

The Welsh may lack vowels but the Welsh version of Scrabble needs an extra supply of the letter y.  ;D
 
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Erato on Friday 08 September 17 20:31 BST (UK)
The best in my own family [though only a distant connection] was Martha Washington Centennial Liberty Price, born in July 1876.  I don't have the documentation of her birth or baptism, however, just the word of another family descendant so I can't be sure if she really had those patriotic second, third and fourth names.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Maiden Stone on Friday 08 September 17 20:35 BST (UK)
Isn't "Ransom" more likely to be linked with where wild garlic grew? (Not a place for vampires!)
Ramson is wild garlic. A possible derivation of the name of the Lancashire town of Ramsbottom is "the valley of ramsons".  I have never heard of any vampires in the vicinity of Ramsbottom, so there may be credence to this.
Writer Arthur Ransome gave one of his characters the first name of Titty.
Silence was a name given to several baby girls in 17thC Tottington, next-door to Ramsbottom. Parents hoping for some peaceful nights?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Lionrhod on Saturday 09 September 17 01:11 BST (UK)
One thing that always bemused me was the use of "Bastard" as a surname... Surely that's not something that one would want to advertise?

And of course Fitz hyphenated onto a name means "bastard son." I agree - why would you want to make that public?
Fitz was Norman-French for son, fils, in a time before surnames. An example of an equivalent surname is Johnson. Neither necessarily indicates illegitimacy.

I've been misinformed! Thanks for the info!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Lionrhod on Saturday 09 September 17 01:40 BST (UK)
Hi

Welcome to RootsChat :)

Here in the UK there was a TV series called Keeping up Appearances, the lead was a character called Hyacinth Bucket.

She would always tell everyone her surname was pronounced Bouquet.

Ah a TV show. That makes sense.

Thanks for the welcome!

In my family there aren't a lot of weird names that we've found yet. At least not so far as general western European names. One was Gillette (which does make me wonder if the razor folks owe me a bit of dough on their biz!

Another interesting one is Cathers. We know we are related to Willa Cather and that the family had a big fight (it seems to be a thing our family does every couple generations and has a huge battle) where half the family dropped the s on the end of the surname. I've wondered if they come originally from Cathar (Pyrenees) heretics.

But then we have the Eastern Europeans. Spelling nightmare. I am grateful my grandma never actually married my dad's father because we're looking at Drzewuszewski. Alphabet with a D.

My buddies and I have a joke about some British names/words that seemed appropriate here:

Welsh Wheel of Fortune:

"Give me an L" "Ding ding ding ding!"
"Give me a D" "Ding ding ding!"
"Give me a W" "Ding ding ding!"
"I'd like to buy a vowel." *Failure BEEP noise.*

It's rumored that the Welsh sold all their vowels to the Scotts.  ;D


Hyacinth Bucket "pronounced Bouquet" was a massive snob. She went to great lengths to hide her less than respectable family background, with hilarious results. Hyacinth's sisters had floral names too. The actress who played Hyacinth starred in a later TV series as Hetty Wainthrop, a Lancashire housewife turned private detective.

Gillette may have been Gilet or Gillet or Gillot. Possibly French? It's also found in England. A census search of 1841 & 51 shows that 1/4-1/3 were in or from Lancashire, many in the Fylde region of that county. The only other place with a large number was London, but some of those may have originated elsewhere. There were a few in some south-western counties of England. Common spelling of surname in Lancashire was Gillet. Some of the Fylde ones were neighbours and possibly relatives of one of my Fylde families. Many were Catholic. The Fylde remained a strongly Catholic area after the English Reformation.
Have a look at Lancashire Online Parish Clerks and Lancashire BMD sites and you'll find plenty of Gillets/Gillots.  Members of  Catholic Gillet families appear in 18th & early 19th century parish marriage and burial registers. Sometimes their children's births were recorded in baptismal registers. The Catholic Record Society published transcripts of some early Catholic registers 100 years ago. CRS devoted a whole volume of their journal to Fylde registers. 

The Welsh may lack vowels but the Welsh version of Scrabble needs an extra supply of the letter y.  ;D

LOL on Scrabble.

Yes, the family called Gilette "that French woman." She and my ggfather were divorced. She took one child and he took the other. Obviously a lot of bile in that relationship. Unknown at this stage whether she actually came from France, or was just of French heritage.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Caroline Cantor on Sunday 29 October 17 16:00 GMT (UK)
A day or two ago I found a Salmon Mash Beart in a census return; the birth registration also gives that as his actual name, so not a mistranscription!

Salmon Mash Beart was my great great uncle. As far as I can tell his two first names were family surnames from previous generations.... a bit unfortunate that he got landed with both when his siblings were given more ordinary names such as Frederick, Charles, Oscar and Herbert! Salmon, I believe, was known as Sam - probably a wise decision! Would be very happy to make contact with anyone out there researching the Beart family.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: andrewalston on Sunday 29 October 17 16:28 GMT (UK)
In my family there aren't a lot of weird names that we've found yet. At least not so far as general western European names. One was Gillette (which does make me wonder if the razor folks owe me a bit of dough on their biz!

The razor company was started by a chap called King Camp Gillette, which is itself a pretty odd name.

He came up with the marketing concept of making the sharp part of a razor disposable, so that people would have to keep buying replacements. The profit came from the blades, not the holder.

The same principle is in common use today. It means that ink for your printer probably costs more than the printer itself.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: BushInn1746 on Wednesday 01 November 17 21:19 GMT (UK)
One thing that always bemused me was the use of "Bastard" as a surname... Surely that's not something that one would want to advertise?

And of course Fitz hyphenated onto a name means "bastard son." I agree - why would you want to make that public?
Fitz was Norman-French for son, fils, in a time before surnames. An example of an equivalent surname is Johnson. Neither necessarily indicates illegitimacy.

I've been misinformed! Thanks for the info!

Why would you want to make that public? Another notch on the bed-post perhaps, virility, ego?


French - it was a child of your mistress, rather than you wife.


I've heard of a Philip le Bastard.

See also the Sons of Philip of Bergundy, Corneille and Anthony,

Anthony bore the title Grand bâtard de Bergundy

Anthony Bastard of Bergundy

Mark
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Wednesday 01 November 17 23:56 GMT (UK)
I had heard from an elderly family member that one of our ancestors was the illegitimate daughter of a local landowner but had never found anything to support the story. Delving into the family deeper I came across a baptism of

Sally Bastard daughter of Mary Blake  - I have to admit when I first read it I had thought the minister was just stating she was illegitimate.

Following her life however,  I found she carried Bastard as a middle name - the local landowners were the Bastard family of Kitley House in Devon.

But I've never found anything to link her to the family.



Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: dobfarm on Thursday 02 November 17 12:32 GMT (UK)
I had heard from an elderly family member that one of our ancestors was the illegitimate daughter of a local landowner but had never found anything to support the story. Delving into the family deeper I came across a baptism of

Sally Bastard daughter of Mary Blake  - I have to admit when I first read it I had thought the minister was just stating she was illegitimate.

Following her life however,  I found she carried Bastard as a middle name - the local landowners were the Bastard family of Kitley House in Devon.

But I've never found anything to link her to the family.

Well to male member of the family having a secret fling with a young servant girl maybe- They sound a right lot of Ba*ta*d toff's ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ..claire.. on Thursday 02 November 17 13:09 GMT (UK)
 ;) :D ;)

From census records & BMDs it would appear that the Blake family came from a humble background - does make me wonder how Mary & Sally Blake are listed as 'proprietor of houses' - where they got the dosh from :)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Blue70 on Thursday 02 November 17 21:04 GMT (UK)
Sarah Sorrelberry


Blue
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Jill Eaton on Thursday 02 November 17 21:09 GMT (UK)
Surplice Fuller which over the generations became Surplus Fuller
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: sesd on Saturday 18 November 17 14:48 GMT (UK)
Many of my oddest names have more to do with the way they combine rather than the names themselves. The girls name May leads to some interesting combinations.

My daughter in law has a cousin named May Kathleen Dance.

We have a family surnamed Hope. A couple of girls, Alice and Annie, have the middle name May.

I also found Laura May Read. She married Edward James Skidmore.

We also have the surname Maybee. A lot of them seem to have given their children 3 given names like Samuel Orinton Ernest Maybee. It reads as though they couldn’t quite decide.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: coombs on Wednesday 13 December 17 22:49 GMT (UK)
One of my ancestors born in 1750 in Essex was called Giffey Wyatt. She married Samuel Claydon in Essex in 1770. Giffey was born in Finchingfield, Essex. Her parents were Hugh and Rachel Wyatt. Not found a marriage of Hugh to Rachel yet but I guess the year in 1745 as his first wife died at the start of that year and him and Rachel had a child baptised at the end of the year. Unless they never actually walked down the altar, the name Giffey is a name to go on. The surname is quite rare and not yet established the name to Giffey Wyatt. Typing in anyone also baptised Giffey, a Giffey Shakeshaft was buried in Weathersfield, Essex in 1734. Food for thought.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: klmadz2301 on Wednesday 13 December 17 23:20 GMT (UK)
My aunty married three times and her second husbands ancestors are the best.

He had a Harold Potter married to a Lilly. They had a daughter named Genevieve who went on to marry a Ronald Wesley.

My daughter doesnt care that they arent directly related to us. She just thinks that JK Rowling stole her great aunty's second husbands ancestors names. She is a huge Harry Potter fan lol.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: coombs on Saturday 16 December 17 13:05 GMT (UK)
Seems the Giffey Wyatt birth in 1750 is a name on her father's side. I have now just got back a few more generations. Hugh Wyatt born 1704 had a sister Giffey Wyatt. Their father Francis Wyatt was the son of Joshua Wyatt and Sarah Giffin. Seems Giffee/Giffey is a variant of Giffin.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Treetotal on Saturday 16 December 17 22:37 GMT (UK)
Looking recently for Florence May West in 1911... I found her transcribed as Stana May Wist, Shorthand Sypert ???
Carol
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a-l on Sunday 17 December 17 11:26 GMT (UK)
 
Looking recently for Florence May West in 1911... I found her transcribed as Stana May Wist, Shorthand Sypert ???
Carol

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: dobfarm on Sunday 17 December 17 11:54 GMT (UK)
Well serves me right for always moaning about my very common names, Williams, Brown (both sides), Smith and so on, always called Thomas, Elizabeth, John, Mary Ellen etc.

Today in my extended family I have come across ....drum roll....

Pool Rain McDonald !!!!

At first I thought it must be a transcription error, but no there it is plain to see on the baptism record.  I wondered if his mum and dad were the forerunners to the Beckhams and named their son after where he was conceived - a rainy day in Liverpool!!!   :o  ;D ;)

 a 'big Mac' in Liverpool.  ;D ;D ;D (Could just eat one)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Monday 18 December 17 06:39 GMT (UK)
I have a Ronald McDonald in my tree!  When I told my family about it, my little grandsons were very excited!  Jumping up and down they said " ooh goody Nanny, does that mean we can get free happy meals??   ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: natae on Monday 18 December 17 10:19 GMT (UK)
My son inlaw has a grgr grandma called fanny toy try researching that
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: dobfarm on Monday 18 December 17 13:32 GMT (UK)
I have a Ronald McDonald in my tree!  When I told my family about it, my little grandsons were very excited!  Jumping up and down they said " ooh goody Nanny, does that mean we can get free happy meals??   ;D ;D


I'd tell the manager at your local McDonald's that tale and what your grandsons said, their wish may come true on that visit.  :D Mc's like to hear promotional input and nothing is more sincere than that story.  :)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geoff-E on Monday 18 December 17 13:53 GMT (UK)
A 1909 birth - quite an odd name - Leonard Edwin  A W D F H C E M WHITLOCK
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: andrewalston on Monday 18 December 17 20:33 GMT (UK)
A 1909 birth - quite an odd name - Leonard Edwin  A W D F H C E M WHITLOCK
The GRO website expands on the earlier names - Leonard Edwin Alexandra Walter - but forgets the other half dozen forenames. :(
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: BushInn1746 on Tuesday 26 December 17 00:48 GMT (UK)
My son inlaw has a grgr grandma called fanny toy try researching that


Heard of the surname TOYE and typed in "Fanny Toye" into search engine and
https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Toye-82

Mark
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: russellte on Tuesday 26 December 17 19:23 GMT (UK)
Classic headstone:
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: natae on Wednesday 27 December 17 06:48 GMT (UK)
My son inlaw has a grgr grandma called fanny toy try researching that


Heard of the surname TOYE and typed in "Fanny Toye" into search engine and
https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Toye-82

Mark
thanks Mark  our Fanny Toy born in Aus
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Skoosh on Wednesday 27 December 17 13:07 GMT (UK)
Schleswig-Holstein Sonderburg-Glucksburg, the present monarch Lizzie Windsor's real name! Don't let them kid you!  ;D

Skoosh.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: andrewalston on Wednesday 27 December 17 15:56 GMT (UK)
Schleswig-Holstein Sonderburg-Glucksburg, the present monarch Lizzie Windsor's real name! Don't let them kid you!  ;D

Skoosh.
Under UK law, you are who you say you are unless someone can prove otherwise. Her majesty can back up her claim to be a Windsor with a matching birth cert - Jun quarter of 1926 St. George's Hanover Square 1a 583 - and no doubt any number of witnesses.  :)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: dobfarm on Wednesday 27 December 17 17:15 GMT (UK)
Schleswig-Holstein Sonderburg-Glucksburg, the present monarch Lizzie Windsor's real name! Don't let them kid you!  ;D

Skoosh.
Under UK law, you are who you say you are unless someone can prove otherwise. Her majesty can back up her claim to be a Windsor with a matching birth cert - Jun quarter of 1926 St. George's Hanover Square 1a 583 - and no doubt any number of witnesses.  :)

Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark gave up the use of his Greek and Danish titles before marrying Princess Elizabeth, heiress to the British throne

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_members_of_the_House_of_Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Gl%C3%BCcksburg
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Skoosh on Wednesday 27 December 17 21:29 GMT (UK)
Of course dobfarm, Phillip took the name Mountbatten which was another invented name but due to political back-stabbing he wasn't permitted to pass this onto his kids so they used his wife's invented name! an inventive lot!

Skoosh.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: BushInn1746 on Wednesday 27 December 17 22:22 GMT (UK)
Pint of Schleswig-Holstein Sonderburg-Glucksburg, please?

Thought it also sounded like a Scandinavian / Norwegian / German Lager.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: dobfarm on Wednesday 27 December 17 23:55 GMT (UK)
Pint of Schleswig-Holstein Sonderburg-Glucksburg, please?

Thought it also sounded like a Scandinavian / Norwegian / German Lager.

After you had 7 pints of it, bet the barmaid would have problems understanding what pint of you wanted- maybe sound like:- "Squilwig holisny soniburger gluckerbulger"  ;D ;D ;D  - hic-! - burp!  :D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Rosinish on Thursday 28 December 17 17:44 GMT (UK)
Not in my own tree (although possibly related to an 'in-law' of mine) but while checking the census index of 1881 for the wife of my g g/uncle (McGravie) prior to their marriage I found a...

Wingford McGravie (age 50) b c 1831

On SP (Scotlandspeople)

I'm unsure if it was a transcription error as he doesn't appear on any other index on SP as Wingford  :-\

Annie

Add...1871 he's Wineford McGravy (age 32) b c 1839  & 1891 he's Winisford McGravie (age 48) b c 1843

Glad he's not mine as the window for his birth is very wide!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Westy11 on Sunday 31 December 17 00:52 GMT (UK)
My 11th great grandparents Goddard HEPDEN [1550 - 1633] & Anne FRY [? - 1604] of Sussex, England were Puritans and as a result named some of their children:
* Retorne
* Goodgift/Godsgift
* Hopestill
* Fearnot
* Thankfull
* Constant
and then for a little light relief there was:
* John
* Elizabeth, and lastly
* Herbert

As an interesting name I have often wondered how the parents would have called to their child when the child was named;
* Shadwell Morley BARKWORTH
* Fulwar Charles Nigel Herbert Colquitt CRAVEN


Westy
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a-l on Monday 01 January 18 13:11 GMT (UK)
I had a great Aunt Silence. I do hope they shouted her in public places  ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: nanny jan on Monday 01 January 18 15:30 GMT (UK)
My 8xgt.grandmother was named  Welthin....... ;D    I wonder if she lived up to her name.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: BenRalph on Monday 01 January 18 23:24 GMT (UK)
Violetta was my great great grandma. Her dad was Rueben.

Another great grandparent was Moses with a brother Obediah. He married a Gertrude whose dad was called Lazarus and who had a brother Hepzibah. There's some other very unusual names but I can't think of them right now.

One that I'm really interested finding out knowing is the origin of Frederetta. Anyone heard of it?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: barryd on Tuesday 02 January 18 00:00 GMT (UK)
ADMONITION DREW
bap 9 Oct 1768 Stoke Dameral, Devon
died 15 March 1846, Camelford Cornwall

Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: BenRalph on Tuesday 02 January 18 00:09 GMT (UK)
A few more unusual ones: Bethel, Ezra, Err, Simeon, Phineas. They're all siblings. My great granddad's middle name was Rain.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Yonks Ago on Tuesday 02 January 18 00:24 GMT (UK)
After finding my new family from my crashed brickwall I have found christian names that I have never heard of before..all in one family. Theophania [ female ] ..Pantenus [ male ]..Euridice [ female ] and Laodamia [female].

 8)
Yonks
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Maiden Stone on Tuesday 02 January 18 01:18 GMT (UK)
Another great grandparent was Moses with a brother Obediah. He married a Gertrude whose dad was called Lazarus and who had a brother Hepzibah. There's some other very unusual names but I can't think of them right now.
Hepzibah was usually a female name. There was a Queen Hepzibah in the Old Testament. The brother's name Hepzibah was definitely an odd choice.
When I first glanced at your post I read Ophelia instead of Obediah and expected to find a Hamlet in there somewhere.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Westy11 on Tuesday 02 January 18 01:20 GMT (UK)
To add to the growing pool of interesting names.....

Revolution SIXSMITH
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Maiden Stone on Tuesday 02 January 18 01:26 GMT (UK)
After finding my new family from my crashed brickwall I have found christian names that I have never heard of before..all in one family. Theophania [ female ] ..Pantenus [ male ]..Euridice [ female ] and Laodamia [female].
1st guess. You have Greek heritage.
2nd guess. One of their parents was a classical scholar.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Yonks Ago on Tuesday 02 January 18 02:57 GMT (UK)
Thanks Maidenstone for that..Hallett is the surname..so your onto the money on that one.
NOW! to stop myself from going of on a path looking more in them.
Yonks
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: BenRalph on Tuesday 02 January 18 13:15 GMT (UK)
Another great grandparent was Moses with a brother Obediah. He married a Gertrude whose dad was called Lazarus and who had a brother Hepzibah. There's some other very unusual names but I can't think of them right now.
Hepzibah was usually a female name. There was a Queen Hepzibah in the Old Testament. The brother's name Hepzibah was definitely an odd choice.
When I first glanced at your post I read Ophelia instead of Obediah and expected to find a Hamlet in there somewhere.
Sorry, I meant sister. God knows why I said brother.

Another one I've remembered is quite funny. She went by the name Nancy Ruth  (which was a common name in that family at the time) but is written as Lancelot and male on GRO. She lived into her eighties. Her sister told my grandma that her mother had gone to register when she was drunk and that the original birth certificate actually says 'Nanclock'.

That family have given me lots of frustration and quite a few laughs along the way. I think I am going to start a topic on them later today. There's still huge holes in the family.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: JAKnighton on Sunday 14 January 18 14:42 GMT (UK)
I have a relative whose middle names were "Agate Patch" which judging by a Google search, appears to be some sort of crystal ball type of object. He was born in the 1840s.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: jaybelnz on Monday 15 January 18 03:29 GMT (UK)
A friend's grandmother -  Lily Flowerday, sisters, Rose and Daphne!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: BattyB on Thursday 18 January 18 16:18 GMT (UK)
I came across a name yesterday I had never seen or heard before but one of my ancestors children was called Melchisedeck - it's listed as male but who knows ?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: frostyknight on Thursday 18 January 18 22:41 GMT (UK)
It's biblical - from Genesis. I've never heard of anyone else with the name though.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 18 January 18 23:02 GMT (UK)
In my Newfoundland line there is a Theophalus Coveyduck.
Carol
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a chesters on Friday 19 January 18 01:08 GMT (UK)
Chasing up a twig on my tree, found a non relative:

Demarious Fancher  :o :o ::) ::)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: dobfarm on Friday 19 January 18 03:36 GMT (UK)
In my Newfoundland line there is a Theophalus Coveyduck.
Carol

Think! - Walt Disney could have made use of that name for one of his cartoon characters.  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a-l on Friday 19 January 18 18:41 GMT (UK)
Chasing up a twig on my tree, found a non relative:

Demarious Fancher  :o :o ::) ::)
Are you sure it isn't a criminal offence AC?  ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a chesters on Friday 19 January 18 22:55 GMT (UK)
I think that the parents who named their little GIRL Demarious had no idea what the modern usage would be. 

Having had a look on Mr G, it is now used as a boys name, and apparently means strong, subborn and war like :o :o :o

Or maybe they could see what SHE would turn out like ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a-l on Saturday 20 January 18 10:53 GMT (UK)
I think that the parents who named their little GIRL Demarious had no idea what the modern usage would be. 

Having had a look on Mr G, it is now used as a boys name, and apparently means strong, subborn and war like :o :o :o

Or maybe they could see what SHE would turn out like ;D ;D ;D
;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: chirp on Sunday 21 January 18 17:21 GMT (UK)
I came across the name Horsefall Pickles on a census recently. It was a male child - I wonder if he had had a recent accident?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: BushInn1746 on Saturday 27 January 18 08:39 GMT (UK)
I came across the name Horsefall Pickles on a census recently. It was a male child - I wonder if he had had a recent accident?


Good one, but as you may already know Horsfall is a family surname. It might be his Mother's nee surname or denote Ancestry.

Horsfall of Halifax family correspondence and papers (at WYAS Calderdale)
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/N13616969

http://www.denniscorbett.com/Hors.html

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horsfall_baronets


Another Horsfall, Dionysius Hargreaves Horsfall


Horsfall Street and Horsfall Tunnel at Todmorden (Horsfall of Todmorden).


We might smile, but it could be a very lucky find for a Pickles researcher, to come across the names - Horsefall Pickles!

Mark
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: chirp on Saturday 27 January 18 09:39 GMT (UK)
Yes indeed. I think the mother's maiden name explanation (or other ancestral connection) often accounts for an unusual given name. It can be a gift to us researchers. I have an instance in my tree where all the children of a particular couple were given their mother's maiden surname for their middle names.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Maiden Stone on Saturday 27 January 18 23:58 GMT (UK)
I came across the name Horsefall Pickles on a census recently. It was a male child - I wonder if he had had a recent accident?


Good one, but as you may already know Horsfall is a family surname. It might be his Mother's nee surname or denote Ancestry.
I  met a Mrs Horsfall. She corrected my pronunciation of her name to "Herfal".
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: chirp on Sunday 28 January 18 00:26 GMT (UK)
That's interesting Maiden Stone; I think most of us would probably have got that one wrong.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Geoff-E on Sunday 28 January 18 12:17 GMT (UK)
Yes, you must be very corsfall.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Maiden Stone on Sunday 28 January 18 15:15 GMT (UK)
Yes, you must be very corsfall.
I wasn't corsfall. I fell off a hers and landed on my ors.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: chirp on Sunday 28 January 18 15:21 GMT (UK)
I think you have started something now Geoff-E   ;D
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: margaret103 on Wednesday 31 January 18 18:18 GMT (UK)
Hi Dolly Dimples,

In my tree - Elizabeth SMELLIE married a Peter YELLOWLEES in 1852 Berwickshire

Margaret
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Knight-Sunderland on Thursday 28 March 19 18:33 GMT (UK)
Recently found another unique name.

My ancestor James Carrot married Elizabeth Young in 1757. They decided to name one of their sons after his mothers family name.

Therefore, I have a 7x great uncle named Young Carrot!
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Maiden Stone on Thursday 28 March 19 19:19 GMT (UK)

Therefore, I have a 7x great uncle named Young Carrot!
Did he have 2 sibling called Younger and Baby?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: DavidG02 on Monday 01 April 19 11:21 BST (UK)
Going through the Leicestershire Wills and found this in the Peculiar Courts for 1747

Nutt, Job Leicester

Poor Job probably never realised how his name (transposed) would cause such mirth
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ThrelfallYorky on Monday 01 April 19 15:09 BST (UK)
I've tried to get "un-notify" on this thread several times, simply can't get rid of it! Any help?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: CarolA3 on Monday 01 April 19 15:35 BST (UK)
Hit 'UNNOTIFY' at the bottom of the thread, then 'OK' in the dialog box.

Carol
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: a-l on Monday 01 April 19 19:21 BST (UK)
I saw a marriage years ago which still makes me laugh .
The Groom was called Ednott Wright.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Erato on Monday 01 April 19 19:44 BST (UK)
"'UNNOTIFY' at the bottom of the thread"

I have no such option.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Finley 1 on Monday 01 April 19 21:14 BST (UK)
this
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: coombs on Monday 01 April 19 21:36 BST (UK)
My ancestor John Bowmer's first wife was was called Katherine Chicken. Had to laugh a bit when I found out his first wife's surname.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Erato on Monday 01 April 19 21:44 BST (UK)
this

As I said, I have no such option.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Top-of-the-hill on Monday 01 April 19 22:06 BST (UK)
  I have no idea what the discussion was about, but on my screen it says "Notify". (Don't know what that means either!)
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: mckha489 on Monday 01 April 19 23:07 BST (UK)
this

As I said, I have no such option.

The notify button changes to unnotify (next to the reply button) when it’s a Thread you have started or a thread you have replied to, so if that isn’t happening
It may have something to do with how you have your account set up.
There are various options there you can change
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Treetotal on Monday 01 April 19 23:17 BST (UK)
this

As I said, I have no such option.

When get an email notification of the post, there is a link that you can click on to unsubscribe from the topic.
Carol
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Mart 'n' Al on Monday 01 April 19 23:18 BST (UK)
I seem to have unknown generations of Italian ancestors by the name of Ditto. They come from a village of the same name.

Martin
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Erato on Tuesday 02 April 19 00:43 BST (UK)
"When get an email notification of the post, there is a link that you can click on to unsubscribe from the topic."

I don't do email notifications; never have; never will.  I just want to turn off the notification at the top of the page.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Tuesday 02 April 19 01:01 BST (UK)
Erato,
There should be an "Unnotify" button at the top and bottom of this thread page. By clicking on it you'll be able to not get notifications of this thread, or any others you may have posted on but no longer want to read.
Hope this helps.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Erato on Tuesday 02 April 19 01:07 BST (UK)
I don't know how I can say it any more clearly.  There is NO unnotify button at the top or at the bottom of the page.  Do I have to send screen shots as Proof?
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: barryd on Tuesday 02 April 19 01:09 BST (UK)
FREAK ….. and variants. They get into County Durham in 1841.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: CarolA3 on Tuesday 02 April 19 03:18 BST (UK)
I don't know how I can say it any more clearly.  There is NO unnotify button at the top or at the bottom of the page.  Do I have to send screen shots as Proof?

The obvious thing to do now is to take it up with the site owner(s), as the responses you (and others) have had are clearly unsatisfactory.

Carol
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: JenB on Tuesday 02 April 19 10:23 BST (UK)
I had a look and was quite unable to see 'unnotify' on any threads to which I'd contributed, in common with Erato.

I went into my profile, and in 'email notifications' I checked  Turn email notification on when you post or reply to a topic. which had previously been turned off (I don't like email notifications).

Then I posted a new thread and now I can see 'unnotify' on that thread, but not on any I posted before I altered the preference in my profile. I can now also see it on this thread.

So I suggest that is why Erato doesn't see 'unnotify', because she has email notifications turned off.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Erato on Tuesday 02 April 19 14:02 BST (UK)
"because she has email notifications turned off."

Yes, that seems to be the case.  If you don't enable email notification, then you can't 'unnotify.'  I don't see why that should be so, but there it is.  Since I don't want email notification, I guess I have to live with all the no-longer interesting topics appearing in my 'New Replies' list.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: JenB on Tuesday 02 April 19 14:57 BST (UK)
Since I don't want email notification, I guess I have to live with all the no-longer interesting topics appearing in my 'New Replies' list.

No, use the 'ignore' facility and then they won't appear in 'new replies' either.

Peruse this thread in which Gadget explains all.
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=801633.msg6593914#msg6593914
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Erato on Tuesday 02 April 19 16:02 BST (UK)
Thank you.  I have now made the suggested change to my profile.  An unlabeled check box has now appeared and I trust that checking it will produce the desired effect.  I must say that the description of that layout option on the help page could not possibly be more useless.  Here's what it says but what it is intended to mean eludes me: 
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: JenB on Tuesday 02 April 19 16:11 BST (UK)
Well, hopefully you will now no longer have see this in your ‘unreads’.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: ThrelfallYorky on Tuesday 02 April 19 16:11 BST (UK)
Sometimes I've had an "Un-notify" button there, and followed through the procedure .... and it works. sometimes it doesn't... as on this thread. And sometimes, there simply isn't a button there, between "notify" and "mark unread"....
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Gadget on Tuesday 02 April 19 16:25 BST (UK)
Erato ~

When replies that you don't want to see appear in the New Reply or Unread Lists, you have to click in the Ignore checkbox before you read them. I often make this mistake and have to wait until the next reply comes up or do a 'previous page' and click that way.

Gadget
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Erato on Tuesday 02 April 19 16:35 BST (UK)
Great, now I know what to do and I'm going to go check my unlabeled box right now.  Really, though, someone ought to edit that section of the help page.  As it is, it is unhelpful to the max.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: pinefamily on Tuesday 02 April 19 23:25 BST (UK)
I'm glad it has been solved for you, Erato.
I don't like the email notifications either, and have unchecked the box. However I still have the "unnotify" button on the threads I've replied to.  ???
Back on the original topic, I have the name Sharpclift, which while not sounding unusual, has virtually no hits anywhere in searches. I have wondered if the name has died out, as some do.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Rosinish on Tuesday 16 April 19 04:29 BST (UK)
Not my own but found while looking for a death of James Gordon 1855 (Scotland)...

Mother's Maiden Surname is...HERREYGERREY!!!

Annie
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Rosinish on Tuesday 16 April 19 04:36 BST (UK)
I seem to have unknown generations of Italian ancestors by the name of Ditto. They come from a village of the same name.

 ;D Martin, can you elaborate please?

I've thought about the reason but not sure I'm correct...I'm intrigued.

Annie
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Erato on Tuesday 16 April 19 04:43 BST (UK)
Well, I can now report that the check box did not work.
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: Rosinish on Tuesday 16 April 19 05:22 BST (UK)
Well, I can now report that the check box did not work.

I think you should try this button now...Report to moderator with an explanation?

I don't have email notifications but I see the 'Unnotify' button on all topics, well at least the ones I've read since reading your dilemma.

Annie
Title: Re: What's the oddest name you've found?
Post by: CarolA3 on Tuesday 16 April 19 13:28 BST (UK)
Or you could read my reply #568.

Carol