Wales Births and Baptisms - FamilySearch Historical Records/Known Issues

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Known Issues
Question: When searching for the surname Thomas in batch C09866-1over 1000 names are displayed. However most of the parents of these children do not have the surname of Thomas. Why are the parent’s and child’s surname different? Answer: In several batches of this collection there are indications that the patronymic naming system was used (the father's given name used as the child's second name or surname). This was a common practice among Welsh families.

Some families adopted permanent surnames much earlier than others. Generally, families lower on the social scale used the patronymic system longer than those higher up the social scale. Patronymics lingered the longest in the north and central-western counties. Most noble families adopted surnames by the sixteenth century. The gentry adopted them during the eighteenth century, while some farmers, tenant farmers, and workers did not take surnames until the nineteenth century or later. Generally, the patronymic naming pattern and the various naming customs were coming to an end by 1837, but later usage occurs and there has been a modern revival of the practice.

When searching this collection, a surname search and a given name search should always be done. For more information and tips about how to do research where Welsh patronymics is an issue have a look at this Wiki article where you will find an illustration of how patronymics can impact family names.

If you encounter additional problems with this collection, feel free to report them at [mailto:support@familysearch.org support@familysearch.org]. Please include the following information: • The name of this collection. • If searching, include the name and details of the individual with the problem, including name, event, dates and places • If you are reporting a technical issue, please include your operating system and browser version (i.e. Windows XP, Internet Explorer 8)

Click here to return to the Wiki Learn More page, or click here to go to the Wales Births and Baptisms collection @ FamilySearch.org.