Unusual names

[Hodgkiss]

This is my family from the early 1800's. but im a bit puzzled by the names :    

JAMES HARNAL ROBERTS  bp 8 AUG 1840 Penn, Stafford
MARY ANNE ROBERTS bp 7 APR 1832 Penn, Stafford
THYRZA ROBERTS bp 24 JUN 1838 Penn, Stafford
WILLIAM LABAN ROBERTS bp 24 JUN 1838 Penn, Stafford
LEWIS ROBERTS ROBERTS bp 12 AUG 1827 Penn, Stafford

How unusual would these names have been? ( Harnal, Thryza - is actually Thurza, and Laban... )

And does it give any clues to their faith?

Thanks alot
Hodgkiss

[shan42]

Are they all definitely right, could there be transcript errors?

Some seem feasible, I couldn't tell you where they came from though!

[avm228]

Thirza and Laban are both Biblical (Old Testament) names.

Anna

[avm228]

1. JAMES HARNAL ROBERTS  - International Genealogical Index
Gender: Male Christening: 08 AUG 1840 Penn, Stafford, England
   

Is this the chap whose birth was registered as James Horland Roberts (Sep qtr 1840 Wolverhampton 17 353)?

[avm228]

And does it give any clues to their faith?

If you click on the Source Call No at the bottom of the page for these baptism entries on IGI, you'll find that the source is Bishop's transcripts for Upper Penn, 1659-1853  Church of England. Parish Church of Upper Penn (Staffordshire)

The use of Old Testament names was frequent at that time and not indicative of a particular faith.

[Hodgkiss]

ok cheers. just i have never come across the names before. And wondered if there was a reason they might have used the names.

I know its definatly Laban, and the name was used again by other family members.

[avm228]

James may have married under yet another name:

James Arnal ROBERTS (to Mary CRESSWELL?)

Mar qtr 1861 Wolverhampton 6b 569

[Necromancer]

some of those will most likely be maiden surnames from the maternal line  .....

[stanmapstone]

See http://www.ccel.org/ccel/hitchcock/bible_names.toc.html

Stan