What Are English Naming Patterns. Can They Help In Family History Research?

Naming patterns can be very helpful to the family historian.

In England, from around the 1700's a general pattern of naming children emerged.
This was not adhered to by all families and many variations occur both within families and many regional variations occurr.
Naming Patterns for boys tended to be as follows;

Boys
1st Son was named after his Fathers' Father (Paternal Grandfather)

2nd Son was named after his Mothers' Father (Maternal Grandfather)

3rd Son was named after his Father

4th Son was named after his Fathers' eldest Brother (Paternal Uncle)

5th Son was named after his Mothers' eldest Brother (Maternal Uncle)

Girls
1st Daughter was named after her Mothers' Mother (Maternal Grandmother)

2nd Daughter was named after her Mother's Father's Mothers' (Paternal Great Grandmother)

3rd Daughter was named after her Mother

4th Daughter was named after her Mothers' eldest sister (Paternal Aunt)

5th Daughter was named after her Fathers' eldest sister (Maternal Aunt)