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General => The Common Room => The Lighter Side => Topic started by: M.T.H on Sunday 29 August 04 14:11 BST (UK)

Title: Unfortunate surnames of the past #1
Post by: M.T.H on Sunday 29 August 04 14:11 BST (UK)
When I search through the census returns I'm always on the lookout for names that might not be too  appropriate today, so far I have been able to find the Stench family :(
There was also the Vile family and I've even found a family of Poose but I think the most unfortunate souls of all were the Minger family :-\ I kid you not!!

Has anyone found any other names that theyre glad they didnt marry into?

Seriously though,if you are a Stench,Vile,Poose or heaven forbid a Minger :-[ I'm not poking fun at you but you do have a rather unfortunate Surname :)

One final note,Whilst in a local parish church doing some research I happened to look in the visitors book and someone had written
"I'm visiting from Australia,my ancestors were the Vile family who lived locally although we have now changed our name to Vale"
                                    Enough said :) Mick ;)
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: suey on Sunday 29 August 04 15:07 BST (UK)

Well, I still think poor Ellen Cooper got a bu* deal when she married Sidney Snoswell in 1851   ;D

Suey
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Annahannah on Monday 30 August 04 07:58 BST (UK)

Why just the past?  In a political campaign a few years ago two of the candidates had interesting names.

A pair of bumper stickers, one for each man, gave the interesting order "Obey Crooks".

Anna
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Anjo on Monday 30 August 04 08:03 BST (UK)
Its not just surnames what about the unfortunate first names Like Primrose Smith for a Man or Anguish Lake. Both who I have found in my studies.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Fitty on Monday 30 August 04 08:43 BST (UK)
Longbottoms and Sidebottoms, we've all heard of those.  I,m just glad i,m not researching them or the other one i saw this week....

" Can anyone help me, I'm looking for a Thickbottom in Lancashire"  :-X
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Anjo on Monday 30 August 04 15:00 BST (UK)
How about Mary Gotabed  she married my G-G-G grandfather.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: 7igerby7he7ail on Monday 30 August 04 17:24 BST (UK)
In the course of my research I came across PONGWELL, SMELLIE and CRAPP all in the same family group!,none of them related  to me [thank heavens]

A friend of mine lives and works in Germany his surname is MIST, which causes much amusment for his German friends and neighbours. It is German for dung [for want of a better word].

There are some funny, rude, and vulgar surnames especially in the US, have a look at the 1880 US census.

Tom
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: suey on Friday 03 September 04 23:19 BST (UK)

My Mum once had a neighbour called Rhoda Daley ........
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Bee on Friday 03 September 04 23:34 BST (UK)
I think i've just found some Pratts in my family :)
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: M.T.H on Saturday 04 September 04 01:25 BST (UK)
There was also the dashing Army officer with the rather unfortunate name of Lt Col.Drew Peacock :( (Say it fast!)

A single man,apparently ;D



Mick ;)
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Fitty on Saturday 04 September 04 07:13 BST (UK)
I still love my Giggles  :D
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Annahannah on Saturday 04 September 04 16:29 BST (UK)

I have a Doink on my tree. There's an umlaut somewhere, but I'm not sure where.

Anna
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Jason Hotchkiss on Saturday 04 September 04 16:31 BST (UK)
I noticed a number of members of the SEX family while going through the parish records of Ibsley, Hants. A particular favorite name of mine from my own tree is Fanny Shuter (ping-pong ball anyone?)  :o
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: M.T.H on Saturday 04 September 04 16:35 BST (UK)
Fanny Shuter (ping-pong ball anyone?)  :o

lol ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Fitty on Saturday 04 September 04 18:25 BST (UK)
 :o  ;D
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: bubs on Monday 03 July 06 03:44 BST (UK)
My hubbies Gran new a girl by the name of Nora lamb
She married a guy by the name of Bone
dont know if she used norah lamb bone
or norah bone
bubs
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: stockman fred on Tuesday 04 July 06 00:08 BST (UK)
I was looking round Bosham church with some mates when we spied on a gravestone "Eliza Nutter." We weren't sure if it was a name or a statement?
Fred.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: ali607 on Wednesday 05 July 06 00:05 BST (UK)
Well Iv been researching my Woodcock family and way way back found siblings called Fanny and Willy Woodcock!!!
Sorry...it made me laugh!
Alison
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: organicgardener on Wednesday 05 July 06 02:51 BST (UK)
not just in the past either, there was a group of doctors here called Clap, Crap and Whistle. My ancestors are Onions or is that O'Nions like Sidebottom pronounced Sid-e- bottem ! Chris
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: ali607 on Wednesday 05 July 06 03:04 BST (UK)
i know some O'Niens' and Sidebottoms....and i heard the other day of a family called Ness (im in Scotland) and they have two boys  -they were signing up for a football club and they had to put their initials - one of the other mums noticed that they had written A Ness and P Ness!!!

What stupid parents - how can u call your kids that!
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: organicgardener on Wednesday 05 July 06 03:08 BST (UK)
worse then that our neighbours were called Case guess what they called their son Justin !!
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Sandra Parker on Wednesday 05 July 06 05:12 BST (UK)
not just in the past either, there was a group of doctors here called Clap, Crap and Whistle. My ancestors are Onions or is that O'Nions like Sidebottom pronounced Sid-e- bottem ! Chris

Hi Chris,
You didn't happen to have a Louie Onion in your tree. She married (or maybe not) my GUncle Fred, whose name was really Edwin, Barton born around 1882 in Suffolk, only son of George Henry Barton and Mary Ann Peill.
Fred Barton's wife was always referred to as Louie Onion, by his family. There were no known children. Don't have any other dates, although she was certainly around in the early 1940's.
Thanks
Sandra
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: organicgardener on Wednesday 05 July 06 06:27 BST (UK)
Hi Sandra there was a Louisa (nee stanton) married Joseph Onions but mine all came from Walsall, it was only my Grandad Alfred Onions that came to live in Warrington. They still call ny mum Elsie Onions even after 60 years.  Chris.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Sandra Parker on Wednesday 05 July 06 07:00 BST (UK)
Oh well, thanks just the same, Chris. Worth a shot. Onions is hardly 'Smith of the south' is it? The only reference I have, is a possible birth in Cheltenham, Sept Q 1896.

Does anyone 'know their onions'?? ::)
Sandra
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: carol8353 on Wednesday 05 July 06 07:14 BST (UK)
My son was at school with an Andrew Penness.
You can guess what they called him  ;D

Also, my neighbour married a Pratt-she soon made him change it to Platt.

On my searches through 1837online I recently came across  ;) a Fanny Flash.

Well it made me laugh  ;D ;D ;D

I loved that Drew Peacock-Mick(still giggling about it)

Carol
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: skb on Wednesday 05 July 06 14:23 BST (UK)
A friend assures me there was a boy in his class at school called
Richard Head.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: stockman fred on Wednesday 05 July 06 17:25 BST (UK)
We had a guy at boarding school called P. Balls. Some wag pinned a fake notice on the games board with a made-up cricket team using real kids' names - it started "Duncan, Lickiss, Balls, "and so on and it took the teachers ages to figure out the subliminal message hidden within.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Lemontree on Friday 21 July 06 23:59 BST (UK)
Hi

There is a solicitors in Warwickshire named Write Hassel, it is still trading.


Whilst searching graves in North devon i have found a few B*rstards, apprently it is a french name.

Lemon

Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Lambendsor (aka IGS) on Saturday 22 July 06 00:26 BST (UK)
Try this thread on a similar theme.

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,88693.0.html

Not for the faint of heart.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: bubs on Saturday 22 July 06 06:01 BST (UK)
another one my daughter went to school with a boy named shaun dick
bubs
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: ijl on Sunday 23 July 06 12:01 BST (UK)
Hi there

I went to school with a Richard Scratcher. So he was an R. Scratcher

However we all called him Dick ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Jayson on Monday 24 July 06 15:43 BST (UK)
I have a book at home which gives a short biography on past British admirals,  & featured in this is a chap called Sir Cloudesley Shovell.  He died on 21 October 1707 when his ship - the Association - was wrecked on the Scilly Islands.

Jayson
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Josephine on Tuesday 25 July 06 00:20 BST (UK)
I love names and write down the good ones I find.

My all-time favourite is Africa Bastard.  You can find him in England in the 1881 census.  He named his son after himself.

My second-favourite might be Spiro Borg.  I also like Regent Stride and Lottie London.

Favourite surnames (not all "unfortunate"):
-  Death
-  Sheepwash
-  Heyhoe
-  Bodycomb
-  Cocup
-  Odd
-  Old
-  Friend
-  Missing
-  Mee
-  Money
-  Truelove
-  Spendlove
-  Sweetlove
-  Unthank
-  Redhead
-  Spittle
-  Honeyball
-  Whitebread
-  Lambkin
-  Rollinback
-  Perfect
-  Blott
-  Bedwell
-  Squirrel
-  Cheeseman
-  Wraith
-  Smoker
-  Frisby
-  Spearpoint
-  Sweet
-  Alltimes
-  Fuggles

It's funny but I don't understand why some of the names in previous posts are "unfortunate".  It must be a regional thing (I'm in Canada).  For example, the words Minger and Poose mean nothing to me.

; )

Regards,
Josephine
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: stockman fred on Tuesday 25 July 06 00:41 BST (UK)
Dad had a story that the vicar here in the 30s was the Rev. Darling and his gardener was Mr. Deere so every morning when he went to school he heard "Morning Darling, " "Morning Deere" coming over the vicarage wall.
I think the names are correct although the story has been improved somewhat.
Fred
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: amour on Friday 12 October 07 11:17 BST (UK)
Hi Suey, the poor Ellen Cooper was my 3xs grand mother and Sidney was my 3xs grandfather  :'(
Alison
ps gald he had all daughters  ;D
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Windsor87 on Friday 12 October 07 12:01 BST (UK)
I have a Cocker in my tree.

If she went to school these days, the bullies would have it easy.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Lydart on Friday 12 October 07 18:30 BST (UK)
Then of course, (slight change of topic) there's that famous cricket commentary (can't remember who actually said it over the air-waves... )

"The batsman's Holding, the bowlers Willey"




(I wonder what the mods will do with that one !)
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: madpants on Friday 12 October 07 18:40 BST (UK)
Some friends of my parents had some friends called Curtin, they called their daughter Annette.  :-\

have you not got poo in Canada Josephine? (poo's  ;)) Minger probably is a brit thing, it means skanky (is that better?)
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: rancegal on Friday 12 October 07 18:44 BST (UK)
It was the late Brian Johnston (Jonners) He said he'd waited ages to say that.
And of course he was still broadcasting when one of the commentary team said of someone who'd tripped over the wicket (I think) that he 'couldn't get his leg over'    Complete collapse of the commentary team; they were almost crying with laughter.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: madpants on Friday 12 October 07 18:48 BST (UK)
If you want to listen to it it's here (if you have real player or want to install it)  voted best commentary by five live  ;D

http://www.bbc.co.uk/fivelive/sport/bestcommentary/
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Musicman on Sunday 14 October 07 10:01 BST (UK)
In the current BT Directory for my area we have:

Orange-Bromehead

Sitch, R.

Both have been listed for a number of years.


I worked with a lady whose husband's  initials were A. R. S.

And a "pre-decimilisation appropriate" name/initials of a cutomer I dealt with many years ago was L. S. D. Rich.


Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: 7igerby7he7ail on Tuesday 16 October 07 15:11 BST (UK)
While looking for some Burns, I found Fanny and Richard [Dick] in the same family!

Also a wedding notice, Bugg-Flye

around these parts we have a customer called Richard Soul, a plumber called Lee King, a dentist called Hertz and  R. Swissall

Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Duck on Wednesday 17 October 07 18:35 BST (UK)
Found one yesterday on my wifes side of the family, Nellie Smellie, I'm still giggling 24hrs later, must be my school boy sense of humour

Simon
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: toni* on Wednesday 17 October 07 20:26 BST (UK)
My hubbies Gran new a girl by the name of Nora lamb
She married a guy by the name of Bone
dont know if she used norah lamb bone
or norah bone
bubs

really! was she having you on?

my nans nan so is she my g g nan was called Fanny Farmer!

not so unusual names but together create a classic.


actually i looked on the BMD the other day for a Daisy Chain but couldn't see one anywhere! (not for any reason was just putting in combinations)

Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: cavvytri on Wednesday 17 October 07 20:32 BST (UK)
We had a teacher named Matterface....you can imagine the cruel fun kids had with that one!
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Duck on Wednesday 17 October 07 21:14 BST (UK)
There used to be a Optician in Westcliff On Sea called Charles Wright,  always brought a smile to my face

Simon
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: kesannah on Thursday 18 October 07 16:20 BST (UK)
I have an ancestor whose first names were FANNY DUFF.
Whilst searching for some of my HYDE rellie I came across these
LETTICE AGREE HYDE  (perhaps neither parent liked the name chosen by the other so resorted to this one) and MOUNTABLE HYDE to name a couple.I should add that neither of these are my family. 
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Siamese Girl on Thursday 18 October 07 16:29 BST (UK)
I have a book at home which gives a short biography on past British admirals,  & featured in this is a chap called Sir Cloudesley Shovell.  He died on 21 October 1707 when his ship - the Association - was wrecked on the Scilly Islands.

Jayson

There's an exhibition about him at the Medway Archives at this very moment - a great admiral.... and a Norfolk Shovell.

Carole
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Duck on Thursday 18 October 07 16:43 BST (UK)
Kesannah, just love the name MOUNTABLE.

I remember someone with a Beverley Hills in their tree, another lot of parents with a sense of humour

Simon
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Mumsie2131 on Thursday 18 October 07 18:05 BST (UK)
In the area I lived there was a Dentist called Payne who called his house Toothacre !!!!!!!!!
Sorry if this is a repeat I haven't read all the replies.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: 7igerby7he7ail on Friday 19 October 07 08:38 BST (UK)
I have just found a Dora Keys while searching for Keys in the IGI.

I once had a mixed doubles tennis partner called Annette Player [her first husband was a Fisher!]

An old school friend recently wanted me to look if there were any traces of his father's family in Poland [his father stayed in England after WW2.] His surname was Hartz, but he confessed that his father's surname was originally Fartz, and his mother had insisted on a name change, before she married. Wise choice.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: amour on Wednesday 24 October 07 13:37 BST (UK)
think l can beet you all ive just found a Fanny Clapp and a brother called Curry Clapp 
Amour
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Willow 4873 on Wednesday 24 October 07 14:26 BST (UK)
I have got Onions in my tree as well

(Just reread that - and theres me thinking they grew in the ground!)

Theres my Great Aunt Laura Bowkett who married a William Uren

Then theres poor Ida Minnie Fanny Knott who must have been glad to marry Joseph Symonds. Fanny Lamb who married Henry Mumford

Also Whynot Merrill, Sarah Pigg, Mary Puddle, Fanny Tanner, Willie Wackett and Nance Nutting

Willow x
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: organicgardener on Wednesday 24 October 07 22:41 BST (UK)
Hi Willow, where do your Onions come from ? mine are from Walsall. We had a doctor here in SA called Clap his partners were Crap and Whistle.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Lancejack24 on Wednesday 24 October 07 23:03 BST (UK)

Here's one I found on on Familysearch.org there is a 

Agnes Shitts b 1823 Ohio.i hate to think what they named their kids .. ??? :o  ;D

Mike
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: BettyofKent on Wednesday 24 October 07 23:14 BST (UK)
Looking for a marriage I found a Fanny Pantry as one of the possible brides, but sadly she turned not to be my relative's wife. I've also seen the name Fanny Finger.

;D
Betty
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Willow 4873 on Thursday 25 October 07 00:02 BST (UK)
Hiya Organicgardener

Mine are all born in Wolverhampton starting off with an Edward who married a Maria Hilton my GGGG aunt

If you think there might be a connection PM me

Willow x
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: geniecolgan on Thursday 25 October 07 04:36 BST (UK)
I have a friend who I introduced to genealogy, she's hooked now  :D
When we started on her tree I asked what her maiden name was?

It was Smellie  ;)

Then I asked what her mother's maiden name was?

It was Dickey  :D ;D :D ;D :D ;D

Even she can see the funny side.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: dimmell123 on Monday 29 October 07 16:12 GMT (UK)
When I did my nurse training many many years ago, on a care of the elderly ward two patients, in beds next to each other were
Lavender Bunting and Violet Dick.
Colour Match anyone?
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: linclinks on Monday 29 October 07 16:15 GMT (UK)
I have an Ancestor called Innocent Body - bad enough for a women but he was a chap.

Jacky
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Lynn H on Tuesday 30 October 07 18:25 GMT (UK)
Simon, I have a Beverly Hills in my family. Funny thing is she moved to Callifornia.

                                  Lynn H.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Cybermouse on Friday 02 November 07 02:32 GMT (UK)
I was transcribing some probates a few days ago when I come across a
George Bogg. Not so bad until I read his address.
Poor ol' Mr Bogg lived in Drain Side! (I'm not kidding) :P
Now that really is an unfortunate name and domicile to go with it.

Bron


Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: SueTeakle on Saturday 08 December 07 20:43 GMT (UK)
If you enjoyed this thread you`ll love this book Potty, Fartwell & Knob by Russell Ash.  It`s a hilarious collection of unusual names taken from census and Parish Records, go on, treat yourself, available from Amazon  ;D ;D ;D


Sue
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: kopperknob on Saturday 08 December 07 21:39 GMT (UK)
I've come across a Fanny Hitch  :D


But I am still trying to find the Day family with their son Zipperdeedodah !   ;D
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: SueTeakle on Saturday 08 December 07 21:49 GMT (UK)
 ;D ;D ;D


Sue
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: *sara* on Sunday 09 December 07 01:18 GMT (UK)
Blimey

I cannot stop laughing!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

sara
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: patrexjax on Sunday 09 December 07 01:27 GMT (UK)
HI! There was a lady in Florida who had twins and named them "Pepsi Cola" and Coca Cola.!"  I kid you not!  ;D  Pat
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: vic1 on Friday 28 December 07 01:46 GMT (UK)
 i went to school with a lad called A. Dick   
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: forthefamily on Monday 31 December 07 15:31 GMT (UK)
I used to work with a girl called Comfort Plenty  :)

I also knew a Wanda Kiss at school. She was not amused by her parents choice of name. She married into the Hills family....Hmmmmm...... Wanda Hills  ???

mab
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: vic1 on Monday 31 December 07 15:34 GMT (UK)
what alovely name comfort plenty - ideal for nurse -shame we have such naughty minds
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: forthefamily on Monday 31 December 07 15:39 GMT (UK)
She was our receptionist at the time and had her name plaque on her desk. She used to get a laugh at people's reaction to her name.

mab
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: oldtimer on Monday 31 December 07 17:04 GMT (UK)
My great great grandfather married a FannyTufft.  :D Ater their marriage she was Fanny Belcher  ;D
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: annieRN on Monday 31 December 07 17:16 GMT (UK)
One of my great aunt's maiden name was Rose Trollope.  Her mother's maiden name was Julia Lusty.  I am told she was a very popular barmaid.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: ChasH on Friday 11 January 08 18:44 GMT (UK)
I do not think she was old when she married in 1823, but my gr gr grandmother's maiden name was Ann Teakle!

Chas
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Musicman on Friday 11 January 08 19:27 GMT (UK)
Whilst working at my local council, I was given the task of transcribing details from the local Cemeteries’ burial records onto computer.  At that time we had a YT working with us, and he was helping out. These registers were pre-1900.  One day he erupted into laughter – verging on the hysterical and it took a while for him to calm down.  Even then he still couldn’t say what the ‘problem’ was, but eventually he managed to point to a name in the book – Fanny Blowers.

Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Lydart on Saturday 12 January 08 21:04 GMT (UK)
I've found someone in the 1750's who I suspect may be loosely related (note I say loosely) ... and she appears to have been the village good time girl, with several 'base-born's' to her name; twenty years later I see one of her daughters is following the same trend, with a 'base-born' !  At that point I skimmed over things a little, until I found descendents of theirs in the late 19th C, with the surname Hoare !

They are only very loosely linked ! 
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: cheshiremog on Tuesday 15 January 08 02:15 GMT (UK)
I have recently discovered I have a Whalley in my tree
I guess names come in and out of fashion
Whalley probably had no second adverse meaning pre 1970 ?

Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: saxonw. on Tuesday 15 January 08 20:10 GMT (UK)
Hands up here ! My 3G grandmother was Eliza Cund. Well there aren't a lot of them around now are there?
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: saxonw. on Tuesday 15 January 08 20:13 GMT (UK)
Forgot to say she had the sense to become Mrs John Smith!
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: oldtimer on Tuesday 15 January 08 20:19 GMT (UK)
A quite common name nowadays around where I live is Wanklyn. Don't think I'd fancy it myself  :-\ :-\ :-\
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Lydart on Tuesday 15 January 08 21:02 GMT (UK)
Saxon ... I see you also have a Cock on your list !

Mine had the sense to turn into Cox !
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: saxonw. on Tuesday 15 January 08 22:16 GMT (UK)
Yes but I'm pleased to say Cund is mine and Cock is my my other half!
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: thenanny2die4 on Tuesday 15 January 08 23:17 GMT (UK)
Well, I might as well put my two penn'orth in...

I have a Great Grandmother by the name of Fanny Bint...(God bless her :o :D ;D).
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Lydart on Wednesday 16 January 08 16:26 GMT (UK)
Gosh ... you've been a member for over a year ... get posting, girl ... we all are eagerly waiting to be helpful !

Glad you've joined us ... and welcome to the best genealogy site there is ... and its FREE ! 



And as you say, God bless Great Granny Fanny Bint !
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: oldtimer on Wednesday 16 January 08 16:30 GMT (UK)
In the Wolverhampton registers, there are a lot of Dafts and Thickbrooms!
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: sem73 on Wednesday 16 January 08 18:48 GMT (UK)
Hi All

Hee Hee ;D  ;D  ;D

1891 Surrey......

Fanny A Whiffin

Sarah :)


Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: stevenson on Thursday 17 January 08 22:34 GMT (UK)
I have a  S H I T

For obvious reasons ,I have given up on that line...so if anyone finds any, please let me know.


Steve  ;D
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: geniecolgan on Thursday 17 January 08 23:11 GMT (UK)
Steve,

they are obviously NOT the Scotish Branch as they've dropped the E  :D
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Peter the Pirate on Wednesday 23 January 08 02:03 GMT (UK)
Mercy (Fish) Butts is the one in my tree that always makes me giggle!

I've been transcribing some California coroners' records and one really caught my eye. There is a box for place of birth and for a physical description. One woman's entry read "California Blonde"



Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: forthefamily on Wednesday 23 January 08 02:23 GMT (UK)
 ;D ;D ;D

mab
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: minnie222 on Wednesday 23 January 08 03:53 GMT (UK)
My Great Grandmother was a Sidebottom.  Apparently someone we know changed theirs to siddybotham with the pronunciation

How about a client we had in the bank I worked at the time Ruby Fanny Cramp?
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Lydart on Wednesday 23 January 08 13:51 GMT (UK)
Minnie ... I hope she's not a member of RC and/or still alive ... confidentiality and all that ?
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: minnie222 on Wednesday 23 January 08 14:14 GMT (UK)
This lady was quite elderly back in the 60's so No dont think so.  I sure had some laughs at other's expense ::).

When these names were brought into being people didnt have the education and media that we have.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: sharmar on Thursday 24 January 08 13:47 GMT (UK)
Hi all


I'm jealous, no really I am, I can't find any one with a name like any on here in my tree, gutted I am :P :P :P :P :P

Sharmar
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Lydart on Friday 25 January 08 12:22 GMT (UK)
Well I did have a Friggle (don't look it up in a dictionary ! ... now I know you will ...) until a fellow RootsChatter pointed out to me that it was a mistranscription of Triggle !
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Willow 4873 on Friday 25 January 08 13:13 GMT (UK)
Well I did have a Friggle (don't look it up in a dictionary ! ... now I know you will ...) until a fellow RootsChatter pointed out to me that it was a mistranscription of Triggle !

Wasn't in my dictionary so I googled  ;D

Willow x
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Jean McGurn on Saturday 26 January 08 06:15 GMT (UK)
The late Diana Dors real name was Diana Fluck.   :)

In the 1990's in my last job I had occasion to speak to a chap from the Swindon area who had the same surname and when I mentioned that it was Diana Dors real name it turned out she was a distant cousin of whom the family were very proud of.

Jean
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: minnie222 on Monday 28 January 08 08:16 GMT (UK)
Just came across a couple of new ones for me.

James Wildgoose :-\

Catherine Willgas. ???

Oh Dear.

Barb
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: nudge67 on Monday 28 January 08 22:07 GMT (UK)
LANGUAGE WARNING!!!

While researching the 1841/51 censuses on Ancestry, I found a whole family named COCKHEAD on the same page as one of my ancestors. Glad I'm not them!

However, I do have the surname CHESSON in my family. Not sure what it means, but I understand that it is very derogatory in French!

And I have a marriage way back between Mr GROSE and Ms COCK - that doesn't look good when put together on my chart!


(gosh, this is a fairly inauspicious first post on RootsChat)
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: littleclaire on Monday 28 January 08 22:35 GMT (UK)
Kill, Death, Emo
and a Phatuel Granger

 :D
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: forthefamily on Monday 28 January 08 22:42 GMT (UK)

(gosh, this is a fairly inauspicious first post on RootsChat)

Welcome to Rootschat nudge 67  ;D

mab
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: oldtimer on Tuesday 29 January 08 04:19 GMT (UK)
Hi Nudge 67!

Welcome to Rootschat! Hope you have fun!

Judy  ;)
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Lydart on Tuesday 29 January 08 21:17 GMT (UK)
Hello Nudge !

Welcome from me too.   At least you've started off well on here with the Lighter Side ... try the more serious threads too ...

Hope we can be useful to you.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: littleclaire on Tuesday 29 January 08 21:46 GMT (UK)
Earwaker
(I think my sister has some of this blood in her (don't tell her I said that!))  :D

Hello Nudge
Enjoy the mysteries of rootschat....
I haven't been here long either
Claire
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: minnie222 on Wednesday 30 January 08 05:49 GMT (UK)
Looking in my rellies patch found these (not mine)

Dorcy Parkin

Love Parken who married Charles Horsfall

Nans Swanson  (hope it wasnt her swansong when she married)

Barb
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: DudleyWinchurch on Wednesday 30 January 08 18:18 GMT (UK)
Not the surname but the child's first name makes you wonder what his Mom's been up to!   :o :o :o

I was looking for someone elsewhere on the page when I noticed the Jones family's 4 year old

Piece RG10:3030:F112:P17

and just to be sure it wasn't a mistake, he's on FREEBMD too but spelt FELANDER.

Poor soul!  I wonder how he tuned out  ::)
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: minnie222 on Thursday 31 January 08 13:53 GMT (UK)
I found a village on the IGI site today searching in the family.

I doubt it still exists but back in 1800 it did
Wet Wang with Fimber in Yorkshire.  Wonder what it actually was named for.

Barb
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: rancegal on Thursday 31 January 08 16:27 GMT (UK)
Yes, it still exists, spelt Wetwang.
     Slang words usually change quite quickly. Our ancestors would probably wonder why we were laughing, and as they couldn't read, it was only how the name was said that mattered, not how it looked.
     I did know someone called D. Day (but that person was born before 1944!)
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Willow 4873 on Thursday 31 January 08 18:32 GMT (UK)
One lot of OH ancestors come from Whitton Cum Twambrooks, Cheshire  ;D

Think it just called Whitton now

Willow x
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: sharmar on Friday 01 February 08 07:54 GMT (UK)
Hi all

My questions is, 'What names now would make our ancestors laugh?'
 :) :) :) :) ;D ;D :) :) :)

Sharmar
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: meles on Friday 01 February 08 08:07 GMT (UK)
Paris Hilton?  ;D

meles
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: dollylee on Friday 01 February 08 09:20 GMT (UK)
I came across this name by accident.  Wish I had bothered to figure out what her maiden name was.

Wealthy Crapser   b. 1810   d. 1883

dollylee

oops .. just looked her up again in a cemetery list...that was her maiden name her married name was Wealthy Le Roy.  No fun in that name :o(
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: jensquest on Friday 01 February 08 09:30 GMT (UK)
I've not got any unusual names in my tree, but did you know that there is a village/small

town in Yorkshire called ' Land of Nod '?
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Willow 4873 on Friday 01 February 08 10:28 GMT (UK)
I've not got any unusual names in my tree, but did you know that there is a village/small

town in Yorkshire called ' Land of Nod '?

Thats where i should be at 2.00am when I'm still chatting on here lol  :D

I found a Rose Moss on OH tree yesterday (Ha just read that through - does it need weed killer?)

Willow x
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Old Bristolian on Friday 01 February 08 16:07 GMT (UK)
I see Brambletye finds the name Bumstead funny - I don't understand that at all !!!


Steve Bumstead
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Brambletye on Friday 01 February 08 16:34 GMT (UK)
...my apologies...  :-[ !
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Old Bristolian on Friday 01 February 08 16:52 GMT (UK)
 Just joking !!!

I'm immune after all these years - in fact I quite enjoy embarrassing people with it. But my son changed his name - confounding his descendants - & I believe my grandfather used a false name for years when courting my grandmother.
Unfortunately my son changed his name to my wife's maiden name - which causes even more embarrasment as people think his parents aren't married (not that it seems much of an issue these days!)

Steve
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Jillie42 on Friday 01 February 08 17:11 GMT (UK)
I have a rellie called Philadelphia Reed. Philadelphia! What a fantastic name
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Brambletye on Friday 01 February 08 17:50 GMT (UK)
Just joking !!!

I'm immune after all these years - in fact I quite enjoy embarrassing people with it.

Steve

I'll bet you had a bit of fun with it at work - watching your underlings struggling with the choice between sniggering or keeping their jobs...  ;D

I couldn't manage to suppress a grin when I saw that you call yourself "Old Bristolian" - I once had an uncle who used this term to refer to the barmaid in his favourite pub, whose visible means of support was an extremely skimpy garment.

Being a child at the time, I didn't understand it until much later - and at the time, nor why it was my mother used to rebuke him for saying it in front of me...  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: oldtimer on Friday 01 February 08 18:26 GMT (UK)
Unfortunately my son changed his name to my wife's maiden name -
Steve

Not to your Fook, I hope!!!
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: minnie222 on Saturday 02 February 08 02:12 GMT (UK)
If you google you can find a town in Austria called F.....ing. Yep thats right.  Lots of Brits go there and pinch the town signs.

Barb
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Old Bristolian on Saturday 02 February 08 10:33 GMT (UK)
Unfortunately my son changed his name to my wife's maiden name -
Steve

Not to your Fook, I hope!!!

No, thank goodness  - it was MacDonald!

Steve
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: oldtimer on Saturday 02 February 08 13:36 GMT (UK)
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Rosedale on Sunday 03 February 08 13:30 GMT (UK)
another one my daughter went to school with a boy named shaun dick
bubs

I went to School with a Shaun Dick too - haha -  :-X

Quote
I have recently discovered I have a Whalley in my tree
I have Whalleys in my tree, starting with my GGrandmother -  :-X

And Living a few doors down from one of my family in a census - a Fanny Facker.  Oh dear - too close.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: oldtimer on Sunday 03 February 08 18:16 GMT (UK)
There is the surname Willey too, as in the cricketer, Peter Willey.

This led to the wonderful Brian Johnstone, commentating on a test between England and the Windies, describing the positions of Willey and Michael Holding as -

The batsman's Holding, the bowler's Willey.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: dollylee on Monday 04 February 08 01:55 GMT (UK)
 :o :o :o

 ;D
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Bill749 on Monday 04 February 08 02:30 GMT (UK)
I once knew a very attractive young lady whose parents had saddled her with the initials VD!
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: nudge67 on Wednesday 06 February 08 04:41 GMT (UK)
Ooh, you've got to be careful with initials. My wife, as an engineering student was horrified to discover that her maiden initials NVH was an acronym for Noise, Vibration & Harshness.

BTW, she claims she married me for my surname (Edwards). But my recently married sister is already getting sick of explaining her new much more complicated surname!
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Helen D on Wednesday 06 February 08 09:17 GMT (UK)
I have recently found a distantly related family called Fidler. A large family which includes a Fanny and a William! ::)

Helen
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: dennford on Wednesday 06 February 08 09:51 GMT (UK)
I visited a farm a couple of years ago and the owners name was Strange, now that in itself is strange but I'm sure his parents weren't thinking when they gave him his christian names - first name frank, not sure on his second name but the entrance to the farm had the grand title of "F N Strange" Could you imagine some officious person asking if he was f___n strange?

Denn
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: rarebit on Friday 29 February 08 16:45 GMT (UK)
came across one name while looking for relatives out in USA ,one married a a Mr W--k !!!!!!  ;D,work it out for yourself ,one of their children was called Willie , where do these surnames come from  ???
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: BettyofKent on Friday 29 February 08 17:05 GMT (UK)
 ;D ;D

I found one yesterday that goes beyond naughty.
I don't think I dare post it on a family site :o ;D

Betty


came across one name while looking for relatives out in USA ,one married a a Mr W--k !!!!!!  ;D,work it out for yourself ,one of their children was called Willie , where do these surnames come from  ???
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Malmo on Saturday 01 March 08 21:42 GMT (UK)
How would you like to be married to a Pollock?
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: suey on Saturday 01 March 08 22:14 GMT (UK)
I once knew a very attractive young lady whose parents had saddled her with the initials VD!

I wanted to call one of my daughters Victoria but could not saddle her with those initials....our surname starts with D..

Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Paul Caswell on Monday 10 March 08 19:12 GMT (UK)
1794 Baptism in Worth Matravers, Dorset.

9 Mar Elizabeth Sexy daughter of Mary Mast  :o

http://www.rootschat.com/links/02xx/ 
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Musicman on Tuesday 11 March 08 12:33 GMT (UK)
I've not got any unusual names in my tree, but did you know that there is a village/small

town in Yorkshire called ' Land of Nod '?

. . . and in Norfolk there's two villages: 'Little Snoring' and 'Great Snoring' - zzzzzz!   8)

John

PS I used to know a school- teacher who's surname was Barsted.
And I know a Mrs Bedwell.


Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: minnie222 on Tuesday 11 March 08 13:42 GMT (UK)
Just found a male -

"Newyear Maude"  (Maude is last name)....must have been a new year starting off with a bang.!

Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: forthefamily on Tuesday 11 March 08 15:26 GMT (UK)
Elizabeth Pinches

Ouch  :-X

mab
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: casram on Tuesday 11 March 08 15:37 GMT (UK)
One of the nice things about living in North America is that no one thinks our surname - Ramsbottom - is odd or funny, in fact many people here comment on "your nice English surname"

Carolyn
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: SamiW on Tuesday 11 March 08 18:45 GMT (UK)
So what's wrong with 'Cock' as a surname?  It's my maiden name!  My poor Dad was saddled with the first name William, but he changed it when he joined the army.  I wonder why?!!
SamiW
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: howdee on Tuesday 11 March 08 19:51 GMT (UK)
My surname is Nobbs, and I'm quite happy with it, my wife was brave enough to take it on. She comes from Sligo in Ireland, where the local solicitors are called.    Argue & Fibbs.   That figures.

Howard
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Mogsmum on Tuesday 11 March 08 21:36 GMT (UK)
My great-aunt would have done well to follow the maxim and 'think ahead', in that way she may not have had to live her life as Mrs. Fanny Shooter.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Meryll on Wednesday 12 March 08 14:05 GMT (UK)
Some years ago there was (and possibly still is) a firm of estate agents in Gloucestershire called Doolittle & Dalley....wonder whether the housing market is particularly sluggish in that part of the country?  And there is a solicitor in Nottingham by the name of C Rupert Bear (now there's a set of parents with imagination: at least they gave him the option of using his first name instead!)  But a former colleague of mine swears she once taught a Thomas Catt and a Theresa Green.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: forthefamily on Thursday 13 March 08 04:51 GMT (UK)
Welcome to RC meryll  ;D

Mab
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: mare on Thursday 13 March 08 06:34 GMT (UK)
WELCOME Meryll  :)


Wondered if I should really post this as is of the past (mine) but 'living'
Workmate some years back with the surname Orange named his son Justin
Often wonder how confident he is introducing himself or if he uses a '2nd' name instead
(I'll leave out all the puns  ;D )
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: sirius on Friday 14 March 08 12:06 GMT (UK)

A friend from school  Mr Hare married Miss Fox  ;D
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: RichardK on Friday 14 March 08 12:54 GMT (UK)
My 8g grandfather was called Holiday Hickinbottom - and his son, my 7g grandfather, was Amor Hickinbottom.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: behindthefrogs on Friday 14 March 08 13:19 GMT (UK)
You need to be very careful about some of these old names.  I had an American correspondent who some years ago was making great fun out of one of our common ancestors called "Bunbinge".  I gather this is a litle ruder over there than we would expect.

However when I eventually found the original will I found this was a complete misinterpretationof the early handwritng and the name was actually  "Bunting"

David


 
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Sarndra on Sunday 23 March 08 21:23 GMT (UK)
My great-aunt would have done well to follow the maxim and 'think ahead', in that way she may not have had to live her life as Mrs. Fanny Shooter.

Sounds like my G G G grandmother who was a Fanny Hooker!

Sarndra
www.sarndra.com
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: nickgc on Sunday 23 March 08 21:25 GMT (UK)
How about the anthropologist Lionel Tiger?

nick
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: buddysmum on Sunday 23 March 08 21:48 GMT (UK)
Found one today for a sailor called     Pratt percy Eves
         hows that for a name who calls there baby Pratt   but there again  :D
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: billkent on Friday 28 March 08 17:02 GMT (UK)
Whilst waiting at Gatwick airport for my flight there was a call put out on the loudspeaker for a Mr. Hugh Janus to report to check in, all eyes turned to see who answered the call. ::)
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Lydart on Friday 28 March 08 18:37 GMT (UK)
I suspect that was a spoof call ... I've known students put out a message for Mr O. bin Larden before now !
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: billkent on Friday 28 March 08 19:18 GMT (UK)
Yes your probably right, we did have our suspicions at the time although it did tend to ease the tension after a three hour wait.
Billkent.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Jo New on Friday 28 March 08 19:27 GMT (UK)

-  Death
-  Sheepwash

Regards,
Josephine

ive just found recently i have a sheepwash !!
and i was one seen by a doctor D'ead  :o

makes u feel abit uneasy ill say !prounouced it dee add
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: billkent on Friday 28 March 08 19:50 GMT (UK)
Hi Jo New,
There's a village named Sheepwash in North Devon, possibly your relations came from that area originally.
Billkent.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Sarndra on Friday 28 March 08 23:47 GMT (UK)
Well this isn't an example of the past, but just in the past couple of months i had to do a refund for a person and their name was Helen Back (Hell and back) LOL

Sarndra
www.sarndra.com
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: barrowboy on Saturday 29 March 08 09:02 GMT (UK)
Many years ago, I used to visit an Optician in Westcliffe On Sea called Mr C Wright, used to give me the giggles everytime I went
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: jensquest on Saturday 29 March 08 21:09 GMT (UK)
In looking for my missing Carr's I found Henry Bunyon Carr.  As yet I can't lay clai to him, poor bloke!
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Notinpastyet on Saturday 29 March 08 21:26 GMT (UK)
I came across a Miss Potter who was a Potter & A Mr Hendon who came from Hendon, & I know someone called Cross & called their child Chris, you have to smile when you hear these names.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: howdee on Sunday 30 March 08 16:42 BST (UK)
Hi all

Here's a one in a million combination.

During the war, my father and his mates worked as a team at Hawker's, building fighter planes. Their names were as follows:

George Nobbs,   Jack Lock,   Frank Bolt,   Harry Hinge.

Don't you a-door it.

Howard
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Sarndra on Monday 31 March 08 07:06 BST (UK)
Hi all

Here's a one in a million combination.

During the war, my father and his mates worked as a team at Hawker's, building fighter planes. Their names were as follows:

George Nobbs,   Jack Lock,   Frank Bolt,   Harry Hinge.

Don't you a-door it.

Howard

Reminds me of the staff that were working in a department at Canterbury University (Christchurch, NZ) when i was doing my degree in 2001:

FUDGE; ORANGE and one other food group that slips my memory at the moment...was hilarious

Sarndra
www.sarndra.com
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Laini on Monday 31 March 08 15:16 BST (UK)
Hi everybody. Its my first time.

While at school .......years ago my friend was a Littlewood who later married a Smallwood. Her sister married a Forrest so at least one of them went up in the world. Also in my year at school was  an Allcock (pronounced aycock) a Woodcock and a Bentcock. And on the cuter side... a Sally Sparrow
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: littlefishlock on Tuesday 01 April 08 21:19 BST (UK)
One of the best chrisitian names I found was Defiance... 

I have also come accross the middle name Scone..... The next entry had a middle name of Victoria...  I sniffed a bakery nearby! lol

Chrissi
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Kevlar on Friday 04 April 08 11:30 BST (UK)
There is a book devoted to funny and strange names on the census. its called

POTTY, FARTWELL & KNOB

kev
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: BettyofKent on Friday 04 April 08 11:53 BST (UK)
That's going on my next order from Amazon ;D
It gives some sample pages, they are well worth looking at.
Imagine being called Pleasant Titty ;D ;D

Betty
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Matt R on Friday 04 April 08 11:57 BST (UK)
I have a 5x great aunt called Agnes Bogie.

Could be worse, could have been double-barrelled: Bogie-Green, etc.

Another name that comes to mind is a lady in my tree called Margaret Smellie. And in all honesty, she had no children and never married!

Interesting, eh?
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: billkent on Friday 04 April 08 12:14 BST (UK)
Hi Reabo M, I think I was at school with her sister Nellie!!........On second thoughts I think I've got the names the wrong way round.  ::)
Bill
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Matt R on Friday 04 April 08 12:17 BST (UK)
Lol, nice one! Love it!

Poor souls, imagine the registrars face when her birth was registered. There must have been some names coming through where the poor boy must have chuckled!!
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Lydart on Friday 04 April 08 13:59 BST (UK)
I've just had a day in the Manchester Record Office looking up deaths !

Whilst browsing through thousands of names looking for the one I wanted, I noticed a Fanny Bott, and worse still, a Sarah Sh*tt !! 
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: billkent on Friday 04 April 08 14:09 BST (UK)
Hi Lydart, Bet they couldn't wait to get married.
Bill.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Matt R on Friday 04 April 08 14:18 BST (UK)
Lol made me chuckle!

Someone's parents had a sense of humour!
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: LoneyBones on Friday 04 April 08 14:43 BST (UK)
I had a school friend whos surname was Baker, she had some remarks about that and was always keen to get married and change her name. She met and married a Mr Butcher. ???
I also had a school friend whos name was Winterbottom, my uncle called him Summerbum.
Leonie.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: nudge67 on Friday 04 April 08 22:12 BST (UK)
Had a customer recently (I own a furniture & flooring store) who went to great lengths with the staff to point out that the 'ck' in her exquisitely painful surname of 'Cockburn' was silent.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: ice maiden on Friday 04 April 08 23:17 BST (UK)
My Oh has an Eleanor Shufflebottom in his tree brn 1835 and married John Abraham brn 1816. She was from Liverpool bet she was glad to marry ( I know i would ). Not come across to many that stand out as yet. Lynette
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: nudge67 on Friday 04 April 08 23:24 BST (UK)
one of the Hadlands (not a bad name in itself) in my tree was unfortunate enough to work in real estate with that name. She claimed she only married her husband for his much more pedestrian surname.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Willow 4873 on Sunday 06 April 08 18:24 BST (UK)
Had a customer recently (I own a furniture & flooring store) who went to great lengths with the staff to point out that the 'ck' in her exquisitely painful surname of 'Cockburn' was silent.

Her first name wasn't Hyacinth was it?  ;D

Willow x
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: littlefishlock on Sunday 06 April 08 19:09 BST (UK)
Oh dear....  how sad am I?

1841 and some of the Fanny's  in Middlesex gave me more than a chuckle....

These sound like they need immediate medical attention!

Fanny Burns, Fanny Clapp, Fanny Cramp, Fanny Hert,   Fanny Gore, 
Fanny Hyman, Fanny Crabb, Fanny Crawley Fanny Leach

Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: howdee on Monday 07 April 08 09:59 BST (UK)
My family's from Middlesex but I personally hav'nt come across a Fanny Nobbs. Shame!

Howard Nobbs.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: nudge67 on Saturday 12 April 08 06:30 BST (UK)
I've had another customer this week whose name we've all been struggling with - a Mrs Glasscock
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Willow 4873 on Saturday 12 April 08 19:01 BST (UK)
You do have some interesting customers lol

Willow x
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Lucy2 on Saturday 12 April 08 23:04 BST (UK)
I once spent many, many, hours trawling through all the "Mc and Mac D.....'s" in a birth index.     I didn't find any of my "rellies" !     The frustration and boredom was immense  !

At the point of near insanity though, I happened upon the delightfully-named

                           " Farquhar Arsethorpe"

Poor little blighter   ::)      Sadly,  he wasn't one of my lot.    Ah .... but what a "reward" for all those long hours of searching !

Lu
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: littlefishlock on Sunday 13 April 08 08:04 BST (UK)
I've had another customer this week whose name we've all been struggling with - a Mrs Glasscock

I wonder if she was connected to a Fanny Glasscock on the 1841 census.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: littlefishlock on Monday 14 April 08 21:44 BST (UK)
Check this one out

Fanny Slack, born 1890 in WOMBWELL :o
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: billkent on Tuesday 15 April 08 10:06 BST (UK)
Are you sure that isn't just an old telegram you've discovered? people often sent them after a happy event. ::)
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: littlefishlock on Tuesday 15 April 08 10:22 BST (UK)
lol... No, she is real, I found her birth entry.

but it does sound like it should be a funny joke
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: sharmar on Thursday 17 April 08 12:02 BST (UK)


Recently found out that a friend who is a Mr Monk married a Miss Nunn!!!!

Didn't think that was aloud!!!!
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Lucy2 on Thursday 17 April 08 13:33 BST (UK)
   ...  Mr WRATT  married  Miss  BATE.

She always bragged, "he was a really good catch" !    :)
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Matt R on Thursday 17 April 08 13:42 BST (UK)
I had a mate at school once called Bates.
Always amused me to think of what his letters said:

Mr Master Bates.

Never ceases to amuse me!

Over and out :D
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Lucy2 on Tuesday 22 April 08 03:30 BST (UK)
Reaybo M      :o       

(Seriously, that's gorgeous) !      :)
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: oldtimer on Tuesday 22 April 08 16:20 BST (UK)
Looking through the GRO death index recently I came across a little mite who had died before his first birthday. I presume the embarrassment of carrying his Christian name of Oliphant  had made him give up the ghost.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: carol8353 on Tuesday 22 April 08 16:33 BST (UK)
As well as a Gordon Bennett,there was a boy at my school called Phillip Nissen.

The whole school erupted into laughter when the headmaster read out in assembly one day " and after assembly I would like to see P.Nissen in my room"  :o :o :o

Say it out loud to yourself. ;D

My cousin married a Cockburn ( Co'burn) her kids have terrible trouble with the name.  :P

Carol


Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: littlefishlock on Tuesday 22 April 08 16:38 BST (UK)
lol.... this is a fun thread! 
back to Oliphant, there was definatley a nellie...  Can you imagine all the singing in this day and age if that was your name b?  I can hear it ............   nellie the oliphant packed her trunk and said goodbye to the circus....
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Rossdal3 on Tuesday 22 April 08 16:40 BST (UK)
My Grand Aunt, Jenny Gaunt, married Willie Bottom!  ;D

They changed their name to Bottomley once they had children!!

Jill
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: littlefishlock on Tuesday 22 April 08 16:45 BST (UK)
 ;D ;D ;D  lol   ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: DudleyWinchurch on Tuesday 22 April 08 17:58 BST (UK)

Recently found out that a friend who is a Mr Monk married a Miss Nunn!!!!

Didn't think that was aloud!!!!

Sharmar, it's a small world, looking at where you're researching, I would guess we have friends in common. If they happen to be from Newport, I know her family well.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: howdee on Tuesday 22 April 08 20:32 BST (UK)
When circumstances bring two names together.

One of the funniest and much publicised quotes ever, was when the famous sports broadcaster Brian Johnston was commentating on an England/West Indies, cricket match.

He described the action taking place, ensuring the listener was aware of who was who, with the following statement.

                         "The bowlers Holding, the batsman's Willey"

He couldn't stop laughing when he realised what he had said and the world laughed with him.

It's well quoted now but I still chuckle every time I think of it. As much because of Brian's laughter as the quote itself.

Howard
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: patcan on Tuesday 22 April 08 21:33 BST (UK)
What a laugh!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have just read all the posts here, pointing them out to the other half. Killing myself laughing ;D ;D ;D
Keep them coming....

Pat
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: littlefishlock on Tuesday 22 April 08 21:49 BST (UK)
'Caroline Peasfood' sounds more like an accusation than a name!!!   ;D
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: littlefishlock on Tuesday 22 April 08 21:53 BST (UK)
 ;D ;D ;D    George Benjamin Tit  born  Mar 1864 
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: littlefishlock on Tuesday 22 April 08 21:55 BST (UK)
1891  Mary A Shagger  :o :o :o
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: littlefishlock on Tuesday 22 April 08 22:02 BST (UK)
Poor 'Willie Little' 1841 scotland   ;D



Moderator Comment: topic split; continued at
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,610843.0.html
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past #1
Post by: RebeccaClarke on Sunday 10 August 14 21:54 BST (UK)
I have an ancestor who was Fanny Jeacocke
she married a Walter Wackett and became Fanny Wackett  :o
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past #1
Post by: Redroger on Monday 11 August 14 19:12 BST (UK)
The surname PIMP appears several times in 19th century Lincolnshire censuses.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past #1
Post by: Lisajb on Monday 11 August 14 19:18 BST (UK)
My dear gran, thinking about names one day, announced "when I was a girl there were a lot of Fannys about!"

Bless her, she couldn't understand why it was so amusing!
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past #1
Post by: suey on Monday 11 August 14 21:01 BST (UK)
My dear gran, thinking about names one day, announced "when I was a girl there were a lot of Fannys about!"

Bless her, she couldn't understand why it was so amusing!

Is there any family tree that does not have a Fanny? ;D  I have more than one and just yesterday found another!  So yes a very popular name.
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past #1
Post by: sirsimon on Monday 11 August 14 21:11 BST (UK)
Most unfortunate surname I have found is Higginbottom
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past
Post by: Redroger on Tuesday 12 August 14 19:51 BST (UK)
Poor 'Willie Little' 1841 scotland   ;D



Moderator Comment: topic split; continued at
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,610843.0.html

Queen Victoria always referred to her grandson Kaiser Wilhelm as Little Willy!
Title: Re: Unfortunate surnames of the past #1
Post by: Lisajb on Tuesday 12 August 14 21:01 BST (UK)
Not a surname, and not a direct ancestor but I have a Spark Adams from a census.  Can't find a birth under that name, but he's listed as such on the 1911 census.