Curiosities of Puritan Nomenclature

Step into the bustling parish registers of late‑sixteenth‑century England and hear the surprising strings of names that families once chose for their children. From the earnest “Fear‑not” to the gentle “Much‑mercy,” these appellations reveal a community keen to embed moral purpose into everyday life. The work weaves together dozens of original entries, shedding light on a forgotten naming craze that blossomed before the Commonwealth era faded. Listeners discover how devotion, local clergy, and even a dash of humor shaped this distinctive linguistic landscape.

The author’s twelve‑year pilgrimage across country churches is presented as a lively narrative, full of gratitude to the ministers who unlocked dusty ledgers and the scholars who first catalogued the phenomenon. By tracing the etymology, biblical references, and social forces behind each pet‑name, the book offers both scholarly rigor and vivid storytelling. It invites anyone fascinated by language, religion, or social history to hear the echo of names that once marked hope, restraint, and identity.