This traditional pattern for naming children was widely used in Ireland until the early 20th Century.

 

The pattern was not always adhered to, but when searching for individuals in families where the pattern can be seen to apply, it provides a useful guide to what an unknown name may be.

 

The same pattern is sometimes seen in England but its use there died out earlier.

 

eldest son	named after the father's father
2nd son	named after the mother's father
3rd  son	named after the father
4th  son	named after the father's eldest brother
eldest  daughter	named after the mother's mother
2nd daughter	named after the father's mother
3rd  daughter	named after the mother
4th  daughter	named after the mother's eldest sister

  

A less frequently used naming pattern took names of the sons from the father's side, names of the daughters from the mother's side

 

eldest  son	named after the father's father.
2nd son	named after the father.
eldest  daughter	named after the mother's mother.
2nd daughter	named after the mother.