19th century Irish male Christian Names

[guest259648]

When boy babies are given their names, in Ireland, which pairs of names usually appear together?
e.g. I've seen JOHN JOSEPH (Kelly etc).

Which other pairs of male names are common, in the 19th century?

I'm interested to know, in order to assist a search where a person may have abandoned their first name and used their second or 'middle' name only.

Thank you

[Sandblown]

https://irelandxo.com/ireland-xo/news/irelandxo-insight-irish-naming-and-baptism-traditions

The above link explains Historical Irish Naming Conventions, Middle Baptismal Names, both Male and Female were traditionally given from Saint Names.

[aghadowey]

There's not really a set pattern for double Christian names in Ireland and families could have used any combinations of names.

[guest259648]

https://irelandxo.com/ireland-xo/news/irelandxo-insight-irish-naming-and-baptism-traditions

The above link explains Historical Irish Naming Conventions, Middle Baptismal Names, both Male and Female were traditionally given from Saint Names.

Sandblown
Wow this is an excellent resource packed full of useful information.
I hadn't realised the conventions were quite so strict... it makes things easier for researchers!
Thanks for making me aware; I'm reading it now.
D

[aghadowey]

Not all families used a naming convention and even amongst those that did certain events could have made it less obvious to figure out earlier generations.

For example, if both grandfathers had the same Christian name 1st son named after them both and next after the father... unless he also had the same name.
Also, names could appear out of this order if there was a recent death in the family, a relative was much loved or even name not being used because relative hated.

[guest259648]

There's not really a set pattern for double Christian names in Ireland and families could have used any combinations of names.

aghadowey, thank you

I could be wrong, but it seems that the Irish use 2 Christian names far less often than the English... the Irish are just 'Mary', or 'Daniel' etc. whereas among my English ancestors there are a lot of double names and the choice is wider and much more extravagant e.g. Catherine Emily, Brian Albert.

I'm battling on with this McTimoney family, trying to find John's origins, and I noticed that there was definitely some similarity, in the naming of their children, to the Irish tradition:

John McTimoney (1835 - 1901) married Isabella Carlow in 1874 - they had:

Eliza = 1st daughter, named after mother's mother, yes; follows tradition.
Mary Ann = 2nd daughter
Henry = 1st son (should be named after father's father)
(Sarah Jane)
William Michael = 2nd son, named after mother's father [the Michael is her father's name, yes, and Isabella wanted the William].
(Kate)
John = 3rd son should be named after father, yes.

So I wondered if the 1st son's name gave a vital clue to the name of John McTimoney's grandfather  - which ought to be Henry?

And John McTimoney's 2nd daughter is Mary Ann, so (if I've understood correctly) could Mary Ann be the name of John McTimoney's mother? [2nd daughter = named after father's mother?]

Have I understood the naming system properly? If so, do you think I can place some confidence in what I've suggested?
D :-)

[guest259648]

Correction to previous post, apologies - I mean, could 'Henry' be the name of John McTimoney's FATHER? (First son's name.)
D

[heywood]

Are they the couple who married in Birmingham?

According to a published tree, which shows the marriage certificate, John McTimoney’s father was James.

[guest259648]

Are they the couple who married in Birmingham?

According to a published tree, which shows the marriage certificate, John McTimoney’s father was James.

heywood
Yes it is the Birmingham couple and you're right, the 1874 marriage certificate does say James.
This is why I was asking about double Christian names... are they used in Irish society... yes they are...Therefore could it be Henry James McT ?

This McTimoney family did prefer to be known by their middle names, on many occasions.

[John McTimoney is my great-great-grandfather, so I'm speaking from personal experience.]
D.