APG-L Archives

Archiver > APG > 2006-02 > 1139101816


From:
Subject: Re: [APG] Significance of name 'Dowling?'
Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2006 20:10:16 -0500 (EST)
References: <006301c629ed$390191f0$6101a8c0@hagankohler>
In-Reply-To: <006301c629ed$390191f0$6101a8c0@hagankohler>


> Just wondering if there is any significance to the name "Dowling." One of
> the families I research used that for a middle name for a son - George
> Dowling. It wasn't a name handed down through the family.

Are you sure it isn't a maiden name of the fellow's mother or grandmother?

If not, you might want to check a denominational history. Here in the
South and possibly elsewhere, it wasn't unusual to name sons for eminent
clergymen of the family's denomination or for eminent figures (such as
John Wesley or John Calvin) in the family's denomination, usually by
giving the son a first or a middle name in honor of the clergyman or
founder.

Elizabeth Whitaker

This thread: