Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Humanities/2020 February 27

= February 27 =

Naunton as a forename
The actor Naunton Wayne was born Henry Wayne Davies. I am unaware of anyone else with the forename Naunton, or of any connexion between him and either Naunton, Glos, or Naunton, Worcs. Do we know why he chose it? Thanks, DuncanHill (talk) 16:51, 27 February 2020 (UTC)
 * A Dictionary of English Surnames (p. 2243) (sorry, I can't link to the right page) says:
 * "Naunton : Hugh de Naunton 1326 FFEss; Wyllyam Naunton 1461, Wyll Naunton 1465 Paston. From Naunton (G1, Wo), or Naunton Beauchamp" (also in Worcestershire).
 * Speculation, but there's a tradition of using a surname from the maternal side as a forename; an example is Warington Baden-Powell who was named after his maternal grandmother, Eliza Anne Annarella Warington . Alansplodge (talk) 18:28, 27 February 2020 (UTC)
 * Rogers Hornsby was named for his mother's maiden name. "Rogers" is not a very common first name. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 18:34, 27 February 2020 (UTC)
 * By the way, I found the website of a chap called Naunton Liles, also from South Wales, but born in 1937 so maybe named after Naunton Wayne? Alansplodge (talk) 18:38, 27 February 2020 (UTC)
 * Bingo! Henry Wayne Davies was the paternal grandson of Dr. Henry Naunton Davies J.P., M.R.C.S.Eng., L.R.C.P.Lond., L.S.A. (b. 1827) whose mother was Catherine Naunton (b. 1804), the daughter of Rev. David Thomas Naunton (b. 1777). Mystery solved; it's amazing what you can find on the internet. Alansplodge (talk) 18:56, 27 February 2020 (UTC)
 * And finally, Henry Naunton Davies became famous for his work in the 1877 Tynewydd Colliery disaster - see Our Renowned and Beloved Dr Davies.; possibly why Henry wanted to perpetuate his middle name.  Alansplodge (talk) 19:05, 27 February 2020 (UTC)
 * Great work - sometimes I think I should just ask you these historical detective questions directly :) DuncanHill (talk) 19:12, 27 February 2020 (UTC)
 * You're too kind DuncanHill, but I do sometimes let the others have a go! Alansplodge (talk) 19:16, 27 February 2020 (UTC)
 * In the British 1939 national register they are six people with the first name Naunton and another three who used it as a middle name. MilborneOne (talk) 22:47, 27 February 2020 (UTC)