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Antiquarian Names: Colonial craftsmen names

Posted September 17th, 2010

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Boy Baby Names

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Unusual Baby Names

For a number of years, when I wasn’t writing about names, I was writing about antiques and collectibles for a syndicated newspaper column. But of course when I was thinking about antiques, I was still also thinking about names.

Looking at the field of antique furniture, for example, I found that when it came to early British cabinetmakers, the names were relatively unexciting. George Hepplewhite. Robert Adams. Thomas Chippendale. Thomas Sheraton. Nothing too juicy there.

But with the Early American cabinetmakers and clockmakers it was quite a different story. Lots of antiquated Biblical names, more than one Chauncey, Ebenezer and Lemuel, a few virtue names rarely heard in modern times (Prudent, Noble), a couple of Latinate names and a Greek god—in other words a variegated picture of American Colonial and Federal era nomenclature:

Some prime examples:

Abel Cottey
Abiel Chandler
Abner Toppan
Ansel Goodwin
Asa Holden
Chauncey Boardman, Jerome
Duncan Phyfe
Ebenezer Knowlton, Tracy, Parmalee
Elbert Anderson
Eli Terry
Elias Ingraham
Elijah Booth, Sanderson
Eliphaler Chapin
Elisha DeWolfe, Jr
Elnathan Taber
Enos Doolittle
Ephraim Haines, Downes
Everadus Bogardus
Garvan Carver
Gawen Brown
Gerrard Hopkins
Gideon Roberts
Heman Clark
Hercules Courtenay
Holmes Weaver
Job Townsend
Kenelm Winslow
Lemuel Adams, Curtis
Macock Ward
Marinus Willett
Maskell Ware
Matthias Baldwin
Miles Beach
Nehemiah Adams
Noble Jerome
Phineas Pratt
Prudent Mallard
Reverdy Ghiselin
Seth Thomas
Silas Hoadley, Terry, Cheney
Simon Willard
Solomon Hayes

Any of these appeal?

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13 Responses to “Antiquarian Names: Colonial craftsmen names”

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Lola Says:

September 17th, 2010 at 7:50 am

I like a lot of these, but absolutely love: Simon, Ansel, Asa, Miles & Gawen. Hercules thrills me, how awesome!
Noble’s a family name for me (along with Royal) and I’ve toyed with using both of those in the past. For now they’re on my “use for the Grandkids” list. (And with one married, anything’s game)!

Persephone Says:

September 17th, 2010 at 8:28 am

I love Ansel. *sigh* it’s such a shame it’s a brand of condoms here in Australia. Poor little fella would never live it down

http://www.legitbabenames.wordpress.com Says:

September 17th, 2010 at 8:37 am

All of these are awesome. My favorites: •Abel Cottey

•Ansel
•Asa
•Everadus
•Gideon
•Job
•Marinus
•Nehemiah
•Noble
•Phineas
•Reverdy

pippa Says:

September 17th, 2010 at 9:56 am

So tickled to see Chauncey on here–it’s my husband’s name!

Em Says:

September 17th, 2010 at 11:14 am

I really like Gerrard, Gideon, Phineas, and Silas. I couldn’t help but giggle at Macock. Can you imagine a modern day boy named Macock? He’d never live that down.