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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Armagh => Topic started by: MeganJR on Sunday 27 April 08 10:25 BST (UK)

Title: names and nicknames
Post by: MeganJR on Sunday 27 April 08 10:25 BST (UK)

I am finding so many variations in given names for individuals, even in 'official' records. I am sometimes unsure if I have the right ancestor.
There are a lot which are easy such as:
Maggie for Margaret, Bill for William, Harry for Henry and Jack for John

less straight forward for me
was Minnie for Mary and another sometimes listed as Martha and other times Margaret

but now I am wondering has anyone come across Lillie/Lily being a nickname for Elizabeth or Eliza?

Are the other ones people can share?
Also I am having difficulties when they sometimes used a middle name as their day to day name ....
I hope others may like to share some they've found for Armagh family
thanks

Title: Re: names and nicknames
Post by: aghadowey on Sunday 27 April 08 11:14 BST (UK)

Lillie/Lily can be a nickname for Elizabeth as well as Betty, Eliza, Lizzie and Bessie.
In Ulster Agnes, Nancy, Ann/Anne/Annie are interchangeable.
Aggie, Nessie for Agnes.
Molly can be used for Mary or Margaret.
Maggie and Peggy/Peggie for Margaret.
Minnie for Mary, Mary Ann, Mary Jane.
Bill, Willie, Wim, Liam for William.
Tom, Tam for Thomas.
Matt, Matha (not to be confused with Martha) for Matthew.
Hester, Esther, Ester, Easter are all the same name.
Bridget and Bride are used for the same name.

Need any more?

Forgot to add:
Jean/Jane/Jeannie/Janet.
Ellen/Helen/Nellie.

Title: Re: names and nicknames
Post by: RosemaryJoan on Sunday 27 April 08 12:08 BST (UK)

Yes, this has stumped me for ages - Queenie.  Is it a real name or a nickname?
RosemaryJoan

Title: Re: names and nicknames
Post by: aghadowey on Sunday 27 April 08 12:13 BST (UK)

Queenie can be a girls nickname for any Christian name but also a name of its own. I know of a woman named Queenie born in 1920s.

Title: Re: names and nicknames
Post by: Lucy2 on Wednesday 07 May 08 03:51 BST (UK)

Hi MeganJR

You may find this site helpful  ?

http://www.nireland.com/anne.johnstone/Diminutives.htm

[A "google" search under "Nicknames and diminutives" reveals many more websites with loads of info. available].

Have fun ....  [yes, I  have had some rather oddball names / nicknames turn up in my searches too].    :)

Lu

Title: Re: names and nicknames
Post by: MeganJR on Wednesday 07 May 08 12:39 BST (UK)

Thanks for the responses, they will be really helpful in my searches and I'm really enjoying reading them amazed how some of the diminuitives and nicknames are so unexpected.
cheers
Megan
 :D