Genealogy Chat

Can anyone suggest what name JNO is an abreviation of in the 18th century? Your help will be greatly appreciated. Ken of Northants

Hi Ken, it's John

I think it's John/Jonathan. That's what I've found it to be, but I could be wrong.

Usually Jonathon.

Hi, It's John in the case of my ancestors. Jonothan was spelt out. Gwynne

From Rod Neep (boss of Archive CD Books) "This is a very common abbreviation, and the question gets raised very regularly ;-) Jno = John always! Rod -- Rod Neep : Cinderford, Gloucestershire, England"

My gt gt Grandfather was called Jonathon But in records He shows as JNO Bren

I think Jno is Jonathan. I can't see the point of using 3 letters to abbreviate a name that only has 4 to start with - so I discount John. Other common abbreviations - Thos for Thomas, Jas for James, Chas for Charles, Robt for Robert and Eliz for Elizabeth. nell

I agree with Rod - JNO is ALWAYS John. Yes, very daft to abbreviate a four letter name to 3 letters, but that's what they did. Jonathan is usually JONO! Quite barmy!

Hi, The reason for the JNO abbreviation dates back to when parish records and legal documents were written in Latin. John was Johan/Johannus(or something similar). We were taught this in the family history workshop I went to years ago. Gwynne

Looking for a relly's medal record I entered John Atkinson and it brought up Atkinson, John Jno, so was he called John John Atkinson then? Beth :)

I am wrong, shock horror! Found this abbreviations list, freereg.rootsweb.com/howto/realnames.htm which says Jno is John. So what about people who were called Jon as an abbreviation of Jonathan? Another thing - Jacobus is Latin for James, but Jacob is also a name in its own right. How do you know if you find Jacob that he is Jacob and not James? Aaaarrrhghhhhhhhhh! nell

Boyd's Indexes has a great site for Forename abbreviations. http://www(.)originsnetwork(.)com/help/helpbo-bmi-fnabbs(.)htm Cheers. Tony Oz

Thanks to you all out there who responded to my query. You're a great bunch!! Ken in Northants

Nell - and what about Randolphus, latin for Randolph and Radolphus, latin for Ralph! As for the James/Jacob thingy it drives me mad as I have both James and Jacobs (I think) in the 1600s.

I know. And Salop for Shrops - I can't see that it saves any time at all. nell

I'd be wary of saying an abbreviation was ALWAYS for a particular name. Surely even if Jno was officially John it would depend on the knowledge and whim of the parish clerk or priest whether they used it 'correctly'. I've certainly found some ancestors who were known in later life as Jonathon and entered in the parish register as Jno. Judith