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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Topic started by: JiNXX on Monday 05 September 11 18:06 BST (UK)

Title: The name 'Nappy'
Post by: JiNXX on Monday 05 September 11 18:06 BST (UK)
Hi, I was wondering if the name Nappy is short for anything ? As I have found it on a Irish 1911 census researching ancestors and can't seem to find a birth record in that name.

Many thanks

 :)
Title: Re: The name 'Nappy'
Post by: davidft on Monday 05 September 11 18:10 BST (UK)
You don't say whether you found it as a first name or a surname. Also did you see it on an original or just a transcription.

IN any event nappy is a proper surname in its own right


Previously edited by poster 6 Sept.2011
Title: Re: The name 'Nappy'
Post by: JiNXX on Monday 05 September 11 18:12 BST (UK)
Sorry, it's a first name  ??? I saw it on both original and transciption and it was spelt 'Nappie' sorry
Title: Re: The name 'Nappy'
Post by: Jeuel on Monday 05 September 11 18:13 BST (UK)
I haven't come across this before and can only think of "Napoleon" which isn't as rare as you might think as a first name.
Title: Re: The name 'Nappy'
Post by: Redroger on Monday 05 September 11 18:14 BST (UK)
Napoleon, I am sure. Perhaps the parents had designs for the child's future; e.g. emperor of the world perhaps? On the subject of mappy or nappie I have come across the surname Diaper. Perhaps one of them invented the sanitary product?
Title: Re: The name 'Nappy'
Post by: aghadowey on Monday 05 September 11 18:16 BST (UK)
Sorry, but in the 1911 Irish census it appears to be mainly a female name and occurs in certain areas such as Donegal and Galway.
Title: Re: The name 'Nappy'
Post by: JiNXX on Monday 05 September 11 18:19 BST (UK)
hmmm, napoleon is a boy's name, this is listed as a farmer's daughter  ::) and I have never come across it before in Co. Mayo  :-[ ???
Title: Re: The name 'Nappy'
Post by: eadaoin on Monday 05 September 11 18:21 BST (UK)
I THINK it's Penelope!

But I'll see if I can unearth my name-book


edit ... yes, it's a short form of Penelope, or also an anglicised version of Nuala/Fionnuala
according to "Irish Names for Children" Patrick Woulfe ..1923

eadaoin
Title: Re: The name 'Nappy'
Post by: Redroger on Monday 05 September 11 18:58 BST (UK)
Not a female Napoleon I hope. Thought they were extinct!
Title: Re: The name 'Nappy'
Post by: Redroger on Monday 05 September 11 19:18 BST (UK)
In earlier times there is some evidence that a name was used regardless of Gender. In my tree mid 18th century there is a Hieronymous, a male name, in this case it is carried by a woman, who then passed it on to her daughter, grotesquely mis-spelled as Eranamus!