Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
It's been awhile since I looked through the family tree my father emailed to me, but the thing that stuck with me was how often boys were named after presidents, first and middle name would be whatever the president's first and last name had been. Maybe they were hoping for great things?
John 109
Mary 70 (78 if you include Maria)
Elizabeth 58
William 46
Thomas 46
Sarah 40
Ann 36
The majority of my known ancestors were New England Yankees. The database also contains some of my wife's colonial Virginia ancestors and a few Anglo-Canadians. I've read that from the late 1500's to the early 1800's half of all English children were named John, Thomas, William, Mary, Elizabeth or Ann. Their cousins in New England were almost as faithful to those six names. The addition of Sarah is no doubt a result of the Puritan fondness for the Old Testament.
On the English side: James-14, John-10, William-4. Mary-13, Sarah-4 Frances-3
On the New England side: Samuel-3, Ebenezer-3, William-2. Mary-4, Ann-4, Sarah-2
The New England side has some really unusual, strange names, probably Old Testament. I didn't list them here because there is usually only one of each.
I am very thankful that unusual Old Testament names were popular in New England. Tracing John and Mary can be overwhelming. Zerah, Zilpha and Zerrubabel not so much.....
I am very thankful that unusual Old Testament names were popular in New England. Tracing John and Mary can be overwhelming. Zerah, Zilpha and Zerrubabel not so much.....
That's so true. Ebenezer, Abijah, Abijah, Phineas, Auruni type names are faster going than the Marys and Johns.
The New England side has some really unusual, strange names, probably Old Testament. I didn't list them here because there is usually only one of each.
I have two generations with sons named Daniel, Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
