MISC: Old English Law on Middle Names

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Contributed by kybrenda@aol.com & Lora Young
Date: 24 Aug 2000
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donated by Lora Young

An old English law, middle names illegal.   According to Coke's law   " A man 
cannot have two names of baptism and on bills of sale,.. Royal persons were 
allowed to have more than one name.  In 1620 when the Mayflower sailed not a 
single person on the ship had a middle name.

Beginning in the 1700's parent avoided this law, but on 3 of the signers of 
the Declaration of Independence had middle names.  The first 5 presidents had 
only 1 name, and before the 18th president who was Ulysses Simpson GRANT, 
there were only 3 to have middle names, can you name them? ( see bottom for answer)








John Quincy ADAMS
William Henry HARRISOn
James Knox POLK