Harry or Henry - What did he call himself?

[Ewan]

Hello

Does any other Rootschat persons have experience of the name or have heard of the name Harry being called a Henry instead?  I have been looking for a Harry but I am wondering if he called himself a Henry along the years.

Any opinions or experience of this greatly received.
Ewan

[aghadowey]

Harry is actually a nickname for Henry although it can also be given as a name. Knew a Harry who was actually Harold so there are other possibilites.

[Gadget]

Hi Ewan

Most of my experience is the other way - people baptised Henry but being called Harry.

Harry is the main diminutive of Henry.


Gadget

[blodwen]

My g-grandad was named Henry, but they all called him Harry.  Had this info from a cousin of my Mum's.  

Also, John was called Jack!!!!

So, looking for the name Henry makes sense.

Vivien

[mitchell]

Hi Ewan,

My father in law was always known in the family as Harry although on any official documents he was Henry. We gave our youngest son the middle name Harry in his honour...we didn't like Henry so much.

Elaine 

[ludovica]

My g-grandad was named Henry, but they all called him Harry.  Had this info from a cousin of my Mum's.  

Also, John was called Jack!!!!

So, looking for the name Henry makes sense.

Vivien

Jack has traditionally always been a diminutive for John.. oddly, because its derivation is closer to "James" (Jacob)

[Ewan]

Thank you to everyone that contributed to the burning question.

This Harry was baptised a Harry, and also married as a Harry (all between 1771 and 1804).  His four children that I know about were baptised prior to 1818 as children of Harry and Mary.  Another child was baptised in 1815 as son of Henry with the same name as the wife of the Harry (Mary), so I am still trying to confirm the same parentage with this one.

Then on the 1841 and 1851 census there is a Henry with matching details, so I am left wondering is it the same man.   I have since received a death certificate of a Henry who is the same one as mentioned on the censuses.

It does look like the general rule that the name of Henry was changed to a Harry, so I'll see what anyone else thinks.

Thanks again
Ewan

[Little Nell]

Hi Ewan,

I have Henry and Harry - usually father and son.  I'd certainly consider Harry being Henry and vice versa.

I suspect that the origin of the interchangeability goes back to medieval times when the lot in charge spoke more French.  With a more southern French (occitan) accent Henri would sound like Harry.  And of course Henry V's famous speech in Shakespeare's play does say:

Cry 'God for Harry! England and St George!'

Nell

[Dancing Master]

Why not Hal as an alternative deritivate name.

Or he  may have not even have been called any of those and someone given him a nickname totally unconnected to his real name.