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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Topic started by: JackieG on Wednesday 15 August 07 10:37 BST (UK)

Title: A question about nicknames
Post by: JackieG on Wednesday 15 August 07 10:37 BST (UK)

I have for years been searching for an Aunt Meta O'Doherty. I know that her family had a habit of using their second names or even changing names.... for instance My dad was called "Joe", his shortened second name and his sister Mary Agnes was called Nancy. (Since discovered this is a common alternate name for Agnes)

Anyway, I have recently discovered a "Margaret" also called "Meta". Can ayone tell me if this a common nickname (in use in Ireland) for Margaret as this might give me a lead if my Meta's real given name is actually Margaret.
Thanks
Jackie

Title: Re: A question about nicknames
Post by: Ruskie on Wednesday 15 August 07 10:47 BST (UK)

This might help:
http://www.whatsinaname.net/php/search.php?action=search2&search_name=meta

Title: Re: A question about nicknames
Post by: scottcharles on Wednesday 15 August 07 12:35 BST (UK)

I've never heard it in use over there, might be county specific or something :S
Or, like Ruskie's pointed out, your family maybe of Scottish heritage ;)

Title: Re: A question about nicknames
Post by: Ruskie on Wednesday 15 August 07 12:46 BST (UK)

Just  had a look in my dictionary of first names:

Meta (f) German, Danish, and Swedish: contracted pet form of Margareta (see Margaret). It was very popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but is now perceived as old-fashioned.

The name Margaret then says English and Scottish.

There was a lot of migration between Ireland and Scotland. You may find a Scottish ancestor further back that she was named after.

Title: Re: A question about nicknames
Post by: JackieG on Wednesday 15 August 07 15:13 BST (UK)

Thanks for the replies.
As far as I am aware there have been no Scottish ancestry links in Dad's family prior to my Grandfathers time.
At least it does give me something to go on and I will try looking for a Margaret O'Doherty in the registers etc.
Meta (maybe Margaret) was born in Northern Ireland possibly in or near Portstewart and probably around 1935-40. She left Ireland and went to USA in the 1950's and had only minor contact with one sister many years ago. Now all her siblings are deceased but as she was the youngest there is a possibility that she is still living in the USA. I will keep trying. Nothing is impossible with the internet now!
Jackie
 

Title: Re: A question about nicknames
Post by: aghadowey on Wednesday 15 August 07 16:09 BST (UK)

In Northern Ireland Meta is most often a nickname for Martha.

Title: Re: A question about nicknames
Post by: JackieG on Wednesday 15 August 07 22:35 BST (UK)

Thanks aghadowey
 That makes even more sense as her mother's name was Martha.
Fantastic!
Jackie