18th Century

A reader queried yesterday what were the most popular baby names in the 52 children baptized in 1768 in townlands that later became the Parish of Glenmore. See our post of 10 June 2023 for details concerning the early baptismal records and our Roots page for the 50 baptisms identified as being in townlands that later became the Parish of Glenmore. Hereinafter these townlands are referred to as Glenmore townlands. To view the National Library of Ireland’s digitalized parish register click here.

There were 52 babies in the 50 baptisms in 1768 in Glenmore townlands. The gender breakdown reflects 32 (62%) females and 20 (38%) males. There were 18 different baby names recorded in 1768. Nine were girls’ names and nine were boys’ names.

Girls’ Names

The most popular name was Mary with 10 or 19% of all the babies receiving that name. Among the girls the name Mary comprised 31% of the names for girls. After Mary, second place in girls’ name was a tie between the names Catherin (sic) and Anistice. There were five girls baptized Catherin (15% of girls) and five baptized Anistice (15% of girls). Third place was also a tie with 3 girls each being named Margarit (sic) or Bridgit (sic) (each name reflects 9% of the girls). Two girls each were named Elener (sic) and Honour. Thus, the remaining 2 girls were named either Ellice (sic) or Joane (or 3% of the girls).

Boys’ Names

The most popular boys name was a three way tie. Four baby boys were each named James, Thomas, or Richard (thus each of the 3 names represents 20% of the boys.) The second most common baby boy’s name was tie with Patrick and Michael being used for 2 boys each (or 10% of the boys were named either Patrick or Michael). The remaining four boy’s names tied for third most common. Thus, there was one boy each named Pierce, Dennis, John and Darby which reflects each name represents 5% of the boys’s names.

Glenmore Townlands

The Glenmore townland with the largest number of baptisms in 1768 was Ballinlammy where 7 baptisms took place. Davidstown with 4 recorded baptisms came in second. Glinmore(sic) and Ballefacy (sic) tied for third with three baptisms each.

Please send any further information or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com.

Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh