Naming Conventions and Alternative Surnames


1) Naming Conventions

The following may help you trace your ancestors as they followed a tradition when naming their children. Whilst it was common for these patterns to be followed, they were not followed in all cases. They often named them after their ancestors in the following fashion :-

1st son after Paternal Grandfather

2nd son after Maternal Grandfather

3rd son after Father

4th son after Father's eldest brother

5th son after Mother's eldest brother

6th son after Father's second brother

and son on...

1st daughter after Paternal Grandmother

2nd daughter after Maternal Grandmother

3rd daughter after Mother

4th daughter after Mother's eldest sister

5th daughter after Father's eldest sister

6th daughter after Mother's second sister

and so on...

In addition, certain forenames are interchangeable

Ann : Hannah, Nancy, Agnes

Christina : Christian, Cirsty

Dorothy : Dirphail

Elizabeth : Eliza, Liz, Betty, Beth, Bess

Grace : Grizel, Grissel

Isabell / Isobel : Bella, Isa

Isabella : Elizabeth, Sibella

Janet : Jean, Jane, Jessie, Chunnet, Channet

Margaret : Maggy, Maggie, Meg, Peggy

Mary : Polly

Sarah : Marion, Marian, Merran, Marran

Alexander : Sandy, Ecky, Alec, Alistair, Key

Donald : Daniel

Charles : Tearlach

Edward : Ned, Ted

Farquhar : Ferrichar

Godrey : Guar, Guarie, Gorrie

Hector : Eachunn

Hugh : Ewen

Ivor : Ivie

John : Jack, Jock, Ian

James : Jamie, Jim

Lachlan : Lachunn

Ludovick : Lauchlan

Peter : Patrick

Robert : Rob, Rab, Rabbie, Bob

Rodger : Roderick, Rory

If a girl was given a boy's name, usually 'ina' was added on to the end as in Jamesina, Andrewina. Often this was shortened to "Ina".

For more alternatives and the meanings of forenames, the Whatsinaname website might be able to help.

For more information on Middle Names.

For Gaelic/English forename alternatives, click here.

For Celtic Name of the British Isles, click here.

For First Names and their meanings click here.

2) Alternative Surnames - this is by no means a complete list.
Buchanan -
Currie -
Henderson -
Johnson -
Macdonald -
Macdonald -
McCormick -
McCuilken -
McDougall -
McDougall -
McFadyen -
McGilvra -
McGregor -
McGregor -
McGregor -
McKean -
McKechnie -
McKillop -
McKinnon -
McKinnon -
McKinnon -
McMarquis -
McMillan -
McNeill -
McPhaiden -
McPhee -
McQuilkan -
McTaggart -
Munn -
Paterson -
Peterson -
Taylor - 		McPhananich
McVurich, McMhuirrich, McMureach
McEnrick
McIan(laichs)
Obrin, Obyrne, Oburn
McKellaich
McCarmaig
Wilkie
McLucas
McQuilkan
McPhaden
McIIrevich, McGilreoch, McIIvorie
McIqhheill, McGill
McYeil
McGhiel
McIanlaich, McKeanalach
McEachern
McGilp
McShery, McSherrie, McShirrie
McInnen
McKinven
McVartnass
McIIVoil
McNeillage
McFayden
McDuffie or McDiffie
McCuilken
McIntaggart
McPhunn
MacUlphaterick, McIIphadrig, McOphadrick, McIIfradraig, McOlphadraig
McIIphadrig (son of Patrick or Peter)
McIntaillor
End of List