A good source of discussion for "Onomastics" (naming patterns) is in
David Hackett Fischer's "Albion's Seed," which should be readily
available at your local library.  Naming patterns went with cultures, or
religions, and all were different.  In Virginia, there were three
principal groups, or cultures, that are discussed in Fischer's book: the
Anglicans, the Quakers, and the Scots-Irish Presbyterians.

Fischer discusses the Anglican onomastics on pp. 306-310, Quaker
onomastics on pp. 502-507, and the Scots-Irish/Presbyterian/"Border"
onomastics on pp. 683-686.

But be aware that these were merely trends, not absolutes.  The
onomastic predictability for Anglicans, for example, is only about
60-70% -- not good enough, in my book, to form any conclusions.

Lou Poole

-----Original Message-----
From: Research and writing about Virginia genealogy and family history.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tom/Susanna Howle
Sent: Friday, August 16, 2002 8:38 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Naming Patterns of Children


Can anyone provide me with information on the naming patterns frequently
used for children in the 17th and 18th centuries in Virginia?  I think I
have seen something on this list before, but I don't have it, on first
males being named after a certain relative, second males being named
after a certain relative, etc., and the same sort of pattern for
females.  I would appreciate any information anyone could provide.
Thank you.  Tom Howle.

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