Are there English surnames created in the orphanage?

[Lavinda Past]

Paul Gascoigne was so named because he had a two bob bit in his hand when they found him.

 

[Damocles]

Guys, now I'm thinking...

Exposito, Sposito (lost), Trovati (found), Iglesias (Churches), Blanco (white)...


But in catalan Deulofeu (God made him) or Gracia (in catholic religion gracia means 'action that God grants to humans to save them' ).

We catalan people are fucking poets.

The British didn't take up this practice. It all sounds very poetic in 2024 but labelling someone as an orphan or the descendent of an orphan had major social implications in the 18th and 19th centuries. To avoid this, we gave them random names.

 

[Magicpole]

Many foundlings are named after the place they're found. For example:

John Dustbin
Frank Doorstep
Victoria Station

So that’s why my surname is Hoorhouse?
Magic Hoorhouse at your service. Cheeky

 

[Tuearts right boot]

In the past yes, but not really now.

Abandoned babies used to be named after the street or town where they were found.

I used to go drinking with a Richard NobEnd, that would explain a few things....

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Guys, now I'm thinking...

Exposito, Sposito (lost), Trovati (found), Iglesias (Churches), Blanco (white)...


But in catalan Deulofeu (God made him) or Gracia (in catholic religion gracia means 'action that God grants to humans to save them' ).

We catalan people are fucking poets.

God didn't manage a complete job. I think my ERO always referred to Deulofeu as 'Gerry One-Lung'!

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

So that’s why my surname is Hoorhouse?
Magic Hoorhouse at your service. Cheeky

Are yer related to that offering in M&S cafes - Magic Coffee?

 

[Magicpole]

Are yer related to that offering in M&S cafes - Magic Coffee?

The case for compensation through identity theft, is with the courts as I type.

 

[Johnny Mars Bar]

Always wondered why there’s some many McDossers and O’Candleshaggers in Merseyside

 

[Xhavenjoe]

Many foundlings are named after the place they're found. For example:

John Dustbin
Frank Doorstep
Victoria Station

Deli Alli could have been found in 2 places

 

[Magicpole]

Charlie Abandoned-Caravan.

Lovely fella.

 

[lefty goldblatt]

I'm an orphan - will Mumsnet help ne find a new mummy?

No. But if you seek their "help", it will turn you into an overly opinionated, self righteous tosser......

.... a bit like the politics thread on here

 

[lefty goldblatt]

Many foundlings are named after the place they're found.

Nicky Butt cringes as this post

 

[Pep Guardiola]

Nicky Butt cringes as this post

Well, in fact centuries ago in Europe life was really hard.

Abandoning a child was much more common than today. The infant death rate was terrible, it was even common that one of your children would die.
Probably many people have an abandoned ancestor in the past even without having the last name "Exposito" or others.

 

[Uwe Already]

Nicky Butt cringes as this post

I laughed, but in medieval times citizens were compelled to practice archery by law and every village had an area for said practice called ”the butts”, so maybe a foundling in the butts could be named butt? As a fostered fosterer it’s not something I’ve come across or thought about till now, but it’s most likely from olden times I’d guess. I’ll ask my old mate Dave Workhouse if he has an opinion…

 

[dobingsdobber]

Arthur Phonebox.

 

[The Stockport Iniesta]

That eco activist swampy was found somewhere in Trafford I believe.