Scottish naming patterns

Search 600 million names at Ancestry.com!

Scottish naming patterns


First Son is named for the Father's Father
Second Son is named for the Mothers Father
Third Son is named for the Father's Grandfather, Fraternal
Fourth Son is named for the Mothers Grandfather, Maternal
Fifth Son is named for the Fathers Grandfather, Maternal
Sixth Son is named for the Mothers Grandfather, Fraternal
Seventh thru tenth Sons are named for the Fathers Great Grandfathers
Tenth thru Fourteenth Sons for the Mothers Great Grandfathers

First Daughter is named for the Mothers mother
Second Daughter is named for the Fathers Mother, Maternal
Third Daughter is named for the Mothers Grandmother, Fraternal
Fourth Daughter is named for the Fathers Grandmother, Fraternal
Fifth Daughter is named for the Mothers Grandmother, Maternal
Sixth Daughter is named for the Fathers Grandmother
Seventh thru tenth Daughter are named for the Mothers, Maternal Great Grandmothers
Tenth Thru fourteenth Daughter for the Fathers Great Grandmothers

NOTES:

In some cases you will find that the order is reversed with the first and second children, i.e. the First-born son being named after the Mother's father and the Second-born son after the Father's father. If this is the case then the daughters are also usually reversed.

You will also find instances where a child is named 'out of pattern', after an Aunt or Uncle who has died, or after an admired other relative or friend of the parent.

These are only general guidelines and were certainly not always followed.