British Baby Names

Name of the Week

 

A lyrical Welsh nature word-name with bouncy syllables.

 

Origin:

Aderyn is the Welsh vocabulary word meaning "bird."

Usage:

The first instance of Aderyn used as a first name was a little girl born in Caerdion, Merionethshire in 1900. There was then one Aderyn registered each decade up to the 1960s. There is a much bigger story behind the first use of this vocabulary Welsh word as a first name, which gets right to the heart of Welsh culture and a change in attitudes across Britain. Previous legislation from government in London had seen a denigration of the Welsh language. The Act of Union in 1536 banned Welsh monoglot speakers from public office and made English the official language of the country. In some Victorian schools Welsh children were punished severely for speaking Welsh in school. This took place against a background of high immigration of non-Welsh speakers into Wales which began to dilute Welsh-speaking populations. Indeed, the 1911 census records that, by that time, only 43.5% of the population in Wales spoke Welsh.  Alongside Aderyn, several other vocabulary Welsh word-names were coined at the end of the 19th century in an effort to assert Welsh heritage and culture.  Since 1996, Aderyn has had low, but consistent, usage in England and Wales:  2001: 3 births 2003: 3 births 2004: 3 births 2005: 4 births 2009: 3 births In all of the other years since 1996, the name has had a count less than three.   The name has seen occasional usage for boys, but is more notable as a middle name for both genders.

Famous Bearers:

Cultural References: * Craig yr Aderyn is a peak in the Snowdonia national park. It is so named due to the large variety of species of bird that nest there. * Pen Dal-aderyn is the westernmost point of mainland Wales. * Llyfr y Tri Aderyn "The Book of the Three Birds" (1653) is a book by poet Morgan Llwyd. * Aderyn Crist (1948) is a composition by Dilys Elwyn-Edwards. * O, Aderyn Pur (1972) is a flute composition by Claire Polin.

Variants:

Deryn

Pronunciation:

a-DE-rin   [key]

Possible  Diminutives:

Addie, Dee, Derry, Ren, Rin

Sibling Names:

Eleri     Briallen     Rosen     Eluned     Tirion     Eira  Cadan     Dyfan     Madoc     Osian     Emrys     Iolo

Name Lists:

Cool Celtic    Bird Names

 

If you like Aderyn you may also like:   Alwen, Delyn, Seirian, Aneira, Keresen, Celyn, Kelynen, Seren, Nerys, Owena

 

Finds from 1859

Some finds from the GRO Birth Records for England and Wales in 1859. All are first names and middle names — the surnames are not included unless indicated by 'sn' — and have been checked against other records for accuracy.

 

Admiral Nelson Alonzo Leonidas Leavenworth Aminadab Aylmer Lazarus Caleb Crucifer Casimer Vexellion Cephas Orlando Claudin Uncas Cresswell Friend Crystal Albert Elijah Elisha Erastus James Augustus Ernest Melchior Thomas Francis Giovanni Antonino Ethelbert Clarence Ferdinand Leopold Maximilian Percy Fortune James Frederic Shephatiah Greenwood Kerr Harper Noble  Helkiah Robert Thomas Isambard James Jephunneh Alfred John Josiah Archelaus King William Bradshaw Lancelot Emanuel Love William Allan Mendelssohn Montgomery Napoleon Noah Joseph Nehemias James Neri Obed Jesse Noah Potiphar Mahershalalhashbaz Norris Jago Nugent Augustus Original Peter Thomas Sebastian Pancratius Pharoah Abraham Prince Albert Prince Phineas  Raul Ivo Rechab James Richmond Edward Robert Amraphel Andronicus Royal Albert Cambridge James Septimus Obadiah Taliesin Llewelyn  Thecostilo Torrington Charles  Walter Wardley Webb (sn: Wheeler)  Wellington Windust  Winter (sn: Frost)

Acidalia Albinia Selina Joanna Alice Celestia Isabella Alicia Gundreda Henrietta Caroline Ambrose Mary Elizabeth Amy Florence Parthenia Arabella Iphegene Beaufoy Clorinda Albina Drusilla Thirza Ann Elizabeth Hammeston Flower Child Ella Chlora Faithfull Ellaminta Emily Arethusa Emmaretta Silvia Ophelia Eugenie Ida Aurelia Evadna Sarah Fidelity Baker Florabella Matilda Florence Nightingale Caroline Gilberta Jessie Happy Anna Jane Hephzibah Helena Eliza Herodias Augusta Ianthe Elizabeth Edwardine Luderika Jewelle Adye John Alicia Maria Jubilee Clotilda  Juliet Desdemona Kerenhappuch Elizabeth Laura Candy Lillian Ethelinde Loelia Melita Lorenda Mary Ann Louisa Bathsheba Love Lilly (sn: Lambert) Melise Elizabeth Margaret Coristine Martha Miranda Lovella Cathwood Moyna Cordelia Idaline Nea Augusta Olympia Alberta Florence Persha Phronessia Pleasance Hannah Clara Remeliah Isabella  Richardina Richmal Victoria Semiramis Caroline Sybbia Topsy Matilda Tryphena Flora Virginia Julia Lucia Rosa Clementia Virna Lyselma Winona Gertrude Zatilla Delphine

There were three other interestingly-named children registered in 1859 who died before the 1861 census, so I cannot determine their gender:

Siege Sebastopol*
Lucky (sn: Day)
Cautious (sn: House)

 

'Twas Ever Thus...

Living in a digital age, we are all aware of when and how a piece of media goes "viral". We can almost see it happening before our eyes. The following article was first published in America in January 1886 and, though it took a lot longer to spread, it did get passed all around the world in the preceeding months. 

 

CURIOUS CHRISTIAN NAMES THE BURDENS IMPOSED UPON SOME CHILDREN BY ................................PREJUDICED PARENTS                  From the Philadelphia News.     "What a name that young man has," said a clergyman yesterday to a News gatherer as the person indicated left his presence.       "What is it?"      "E.P.Baxter, he writes it. Nothing remarkable about that, but what an amount of foolish patriotism is concealed in those initials. The young man was born on Jan.3, 1863, and his parents named him Emancipation Proclamation Baxter, in honor of the occasion."      "That's pretty bad."      "Yes, but there are some parents with cranky ideas on the subject of naming children. One boy I christened Perseverance Jones. I endeavored to dissuade the father, but he said the child's mother was called Patience, and he saw no reason why the boy should not be called Perseverance, because the two always went together. Within a few paces of the grave of Benjamin and Deborah Franklin, in the old cemetery at Fifth and Arch streets, there is a headstone bearing the inscription: 'Sacred to the memory of S. L. U. Lloyd.' If the owner of the name were living now his friends would probably call him 'Celuloid.' I had a colored man named Alexander doing some work around here once. I used to hear the other workmen call him 'Trib' and 'Hole,' and it struck me one day to ask him what his name was.      "'Tribulation Wholesome Alexander, Sah' he replied.      "It may have been some relative of his who came to me with twins to have baptized.      "'What names will you call them?' I asked.      "'Cherubim and Seraphim,' replied the mother.      "'Why?' I asked in astonishment.      "'Because,' she replied, 'de, pra'r book says de cherubim and seraphim continually do cry, and dese yere chil'en do nufin' else.'"      The News gatherer edged towards the door, and when he had got in the lobby shouted "Chesnut" and skipped down the stairs.                                   The New York Times                                      January 10, 1886

.d
The same article appeared in other American newspapers in the following weeks, as well as newspapers in Britain, Australia and New Zealand in the preceeding months (I have so far found eight reproductions). The article was replicated as above, with only a small change to the first paragraph in some cases:

"What a name that young man has," said a clergyman to the reporter of an American paper, as the person indicated left his presence....                       The Sheffield & Rotherham Independent                                (Sheffield, UK), February 20, 1886

.

An "urban myth" is described as "a form of modern folklore consisting of apocryphal stories believed by their tellers to be true."* We hear the story from somewhere or other, store it the back of our minds, only to recall it at a later date, uncertain of where it was we originally heard it -- the details rather fuzzy. We all know many concerning names: Abcd, Ledasha, Orangejello and Lemonjello... Here is a little insight into how the above "viral" article fell into urban folklore up to six years later:
. 

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STANDARD    SIR, — The letters on this subject bring back to my memory the fact that in the churchyard of the place where I first saw the light a tombstone announces the fact of the death of twins named "Punch" and "Judy." Further they recall to mind the -- I must own -- not absolutely authenticated record of two children, also twins, duly presented at the baptismal font, and on the usual question as to the names being asked, "Cherubim" and "Seraphim" were gravely given. "What extraordinary names," remarked ther clergyman: "why have you chosen these?" "Because, Sir, they continually do cry!" was the reply. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, M.R.C.S     April 6.                                          The Standard                                  (London), April 8, 1892

..
.For those unaware of the "Punch and Judy" reference 

Name of the Week

 

He's an Anglo-Saxon inheritor that has proved a steady reliable.
Edward feels refined; his homeliness comes from the multitude of friendly nicknames.

 

Origin:

From the Old English name Eadweard, composed of the elements éad and weard. The first element, éad, was a commonly found at the beginning of many Anglo-Saxon names (e.g. Edmund, Edgar, Edwin, Edith). The word referred to riches, prosperity, bliss and felicity. As an adjective it translates as "rich", "wealthy", "prosperous", "blessed" and "happy." The second element, weard, is the route from which we get the word 'ward'. It generally translates as "keeper", "guard", "guardian" or "protector," though could sometimes be used to mean "lord" or king", as seen in the word dryhtenweard*.

Usage:

The popularity of Edward as an Anglo-Saxon name can be attested in the great number of namesakes and recorded instances that have survived from the 9th century onwards. One of the most notable early bearers was King Edward the Elder (c.874–924), the son of King Alfred the Great who was considered to be the first "King of the English". He was followed a century later by another English king: Edward the Martyr (c.962–978) whose tragic young death ensured that, although never canonised, he was considered by the people to have been a saint. The most famous of all was Edward the Confessor (c.1004–1066), a popular king who became the only English monarch to become officially canonised as a saint. Notably, Edward was one of only a few Anglo-Saxon names that never fell out of use after the Norman Conquest. Much is thanks to the highly popular cult of Edward the Confessor who, alongside Edmund the Martyr, was considered to be England's patron saint up until at least the 12th century. His name was much venerated in the Middle Ages, and he was officially canonised in 1161 at the insistence of Henry II. It was Henry III who can be really credited with making Edward a "royal name" in Britain, when he gave it to his son and heir, Edward I (1272–1307). He is thought to have done so in honour of his favourite saint, Edward the Confessor, and as a gesture to reconcile the Saxons and the Normans. Consequently, an Edward reigned on the English throne for the next hundred years, up until 1377. During this time, the name was also used by Edward Balliol, King of Scotland from 1332–1356, and Edward Bruce, brother of famous Robert the Bruce, who was created High King of Ireland 1316–1318.  Edward was still in consistent use in the 14th century but was not particularly common. Biblical names like John, Adam, Peter and Simon, or Germanic names such William, Richard, Walter and Roger, were in much higher usage. By the 16th century, however, the name had grown greatly in usage, taking its place as one of the most popular names in England. It is calculated to have consistently been in sixth place (#6) from 1580 to 1640*, and in the Top 10 from 1538 to 1700*. In the 19th century the name was still in steady usage. The 1841 UK census records 169,714 men named Edward, making it the eleventh (#11) the most commonly listed masculine name, between Richard (199,820) and Samuel (167,425). In the 1901 UK census 358,515 men were listed, putting it at #10, between Joseph (487,687) and Richard (245,437).  In the 20th century, Edward stood in the Top 100 boys' names in England and Wales in every decade: #12 in 1904, #11 in 1914, #12 in 1924, #20 in 1934, #29 in 1944, #45 in 1954, #49 in 1964, #52 in 1974, #51 in 1984 and #47 in 1994.  Since 1996, the name has had a consistant rank of between #40 and #46 in England and Wales. In 2010, it ranked #43 with 1903 births, holding a seperate rank of #42 in England and #81 in Wales.  The name is much less popular in Scotland where it ranked #223 (18 births) in 2011, a fall from its rank of #169 (30 births) in 2010.

Famous Bearers:

History: * Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby (1799–1869), three times British Prime Minister in 1852, 1858-59 and 1866-68. * Sir Edward Elgar (1857–1934), notable British composer. * Sir Edward "Ted" Heath (1916–2005), British Prime Minister from 1970-1974. British Royalty: * King Edward the Elder (c.870–924), son of Alfred the Great, styles "King of the English." * King Edward the Martyr (c.962–978), English king who was assinated at a young age and later considered Christian martyr. * St. Edward the Confessor (c.1003–1066), English King and former patron saint of England. * Edward Ætheling (1016–1057) was was the son of King Edmund Ironside.  * King Edward I "Longshanks" of England (1239—1307), known for his military campaigns in Wales and Scotland. * Edward Balliol (c.1283–1367), ruler of Scotland from 1332—1356. * King Edward II of England (1284–1327), son of Edward I.  * King Edward III of England (1312–1377), son of Edward II and a highly popular monarch.  * Edward, the Black Prince (1330–1376), eldest son of King Edward III, father of Richard II and a notable military leader.  * King Edward IV of England (1442–1483), older brother of Richard III, father of Edward V. * Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales (1453–1471), only son of Henry VI and heir to the throne.  * King Edward V of England (1470–c.1483), one of the princes in the Tower. * King Edward VI of England (1537–1553), son of Henry VIII. * Prince Edward, Duke of York and Albany (1739–1767), brother of King George III. * Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (1767–1820), son of King George III and father of Queen Victoria. * King Edward VII of the United Kingdom (1841–1910), the son of Queen Victoria.  * King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom (1894–1972), the son of George V who abdicated the throne to his brother George VI. * Prince Edward, Duke of Kent (b.1935), son of Prince George, grandson of George V.  * Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex (b.1964), the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II.  Literature: * Edward Ferrars is the male protagonist in Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility (1811). * Edward Rochester is  the hero of Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre (1847).

Variants:

Edouard (French), Eduard (Croatian, Dutch, Estonian, German, Romanian, Russian, Slovak), Edvard (Czech, Scandinavian, Slovene), Edoardo (Italian), Eduardo (Spanish, Portuguese), Duarte (Portuguese)

Pronunciation:

ED-wəd [key]

Possible Diminutives:

Drew, Ed, Eddie, Eddy, Lalo (Spanish), Ned, Ted, Teddy, Wade, Ward, Woody

Sibling Names:

Charlotte     Sarah     Catherine     Elizabeth     Amelia     Eleanor  James     David     Thomas     Robert     Christopher     Alexander

Name Lists:

Terrifically Tudor    Gorgeously Georgian    Victorian Darlings   Royal Names   Shakespearean Names   Dickensian Names   Names from Jane Austin   Names from Tennyson

 

If you like Edward you may also like:   Edmund, Alfred, Edgar, Edwin, Frederick, Theodore, Benedict, Wilfred, Charles, Emmett

 

The McKays of Cardiff

Two weeks ago I posted a list of arboreal names that provide possible name fodder. Only a few of the names are widely recognised, and many are so due to alternate associations (Holly, Clementine, Tara) or are considered of very "modern" usage (Bay, Rowan, Cassia). However, as usual, here is a Victorian family that prove they were way ahead of us all. 

Let me introduced you to Scottish-born Peter McKay, a Travelling Draper, and his Welsh wife, Jane Smith Weight. The couple were married in 1873 in Newport and had a total of nine children together, seven surviving to adulthood.

  The The McKay family on the 1901 census

 

1. James Wiseman McKay, born in Newport in 1874, was the couple's eldest son. He later worked as a clerk for The Daily News. It isn't clear where Wiseman came from, but surnames as middle names were very common, as shown by Jane herself who had the surname "Smith" as a middle name. 

2. William Campbell McKay, born in Newport in 1878. Being a Scottish surname, it is not hard to imagine that Campbell was a surname in Peter's family. Earlier census records show that Peter had a younger brother named James, and it is tempting to assume that the marriage of a James Campbell McKay in 1875 in Newport shows that some of Peter's family moved to Wales with him. 

3. Walter Weight McKay was born in 1881. By this point, the couple had moved to Cardiff -- Walter was the first child to be born there. They continued the tradition of using a surname as a middle name: this time using Jane's maiden name. 

4. Laurel Campbell McKay was born 1886 in Cardiff, and was the couple's first daughter recorded on the census. She shares the same middle name as her brother William -- another clue that it was a notable surname in Peter's family. Once married, she went on to become a nurse.

5. Olive Raley McKay was born in 1888 in Cardiff. Given the previous pattern of middle names, we can perhaps assume that Raley was also a family surname, or perhaps given in honour of a family friend or godparent. Olive went on to become a professional singer as an adult. 

6. Acacia Gavina R. McKay was born in 1892 in Cardiff. Gavina is a feminised form of Gavin, a Scottish form of Gawain, which was predominantly used only in Scotland, or to Scottish families, at the end of the 20th century. By the 1860s, the Birth Index only listed the first two given names fully. Any additional names were recorded as initials. We can only guess what Acacia's "R" stood for, but perhaps she also had Raley as a given name, like her sister Olive, if it was a family name. Acacia went on to became a teacher.

7. Cedar Isabelle V. McKay was the couple's youngest child, born in Cardiff in 1898. As cedar is a type of tree, her first name followed the same theme as her sisters, Laurel, Olive and Acacia.