Unusual First Names

[jaybelnz]

Not a first name from me, but a middle name! My grandmother's middle name was Dreghorn. Whilst also being a Scottish surname, it's also the name of a village in Ayrshire, near Kilmarnock where she was born!

I have found no other Dreghorns in her tree, although her brothers and sister all carry the other ancestor's surnames as middle names.  A puzzle?

When I once read about the traditional Scottish naming patterns, the usual ones were named, but then it said a child could even  be named for the Minister that baptised them, or maybe a place name! 

I'll guess I'll never know where that one came from, but who knows, perhaps one day!

Jeanne 😄

[maureenshakeshaft]

I have a Hercules in my grandfathers tree.
His surname was   Prisk-which was embarrassingly mis transcribed on the 1841 census !!!
I had researched the tree for my Auntie in Australia who was coming over to visit -as she was 82 I thought it best not to show her the 1841 census.
Maureen

[Rosinish]

Not enough time to read all but doing a tree for a relative (in-law) I found the forename "Ezskiel".....another biblical name.

At least most of those names have an origin to look back...............unlike some of the more unusual names of today 

Annie

[Treetotal]

My two most unusual are Providence Butt and Thankful Anthony.
Carol

[bevj]

I have just come across a very odd name in the Scottish branch of my tree.
I have a girl baptised Jamsie in 1807 in Cummertrees, Dumfries. 
For a long time I thought it was a boy mis-transcribed as James but I have now seen the original record and it is definitely Jamsie, daughter.
There is actually a baptism for another girl called Jamsie on the same page of the parish record.
Would this just be a female version of James?

Bev

[DougF24]

I have one that I've never heard an explanation for.  My father's aunt was known during her entire life (not as Ann, but) as 'Kizdore'.   In one letter, she signed her name as 'Kiz' for short.  (Australians have a habit of abbreviating Christian names.)

If anyone has ever heard of 'Kizdore' I'd be delighted to hear, but I'm not expecting a rush!

Doug (Melbourne, Australia)

[stevew101]

Few unusual ones from my tree ....

Salome
Israel
Richardus
William Esau (Middle name)
Elias
Jabez
Mickaiell
Reynald
King Fisher
Queen Fisher
* Brother & Sister
Augosten
Johanis
Levi
Jemmice
Wheatley
Rehobaon
Druscilla
Tobias
Wakefield
Hepizabah
Arabella
Barnet

A motley collection of non conformist agricultural labourers.

[Jacquie in Canada]

Interesting blog entry by Alex Cox at Find My Past about Puritan names:
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01f3l/

Jacquie

[jaybelnz]

Very interesting!  But what a "mission" calling them all inside for tea!!

Jeanne 😄