Library Forum

Does anyone know for what forename "Attie" was a common/usual diminutive or pet name? Was/is it a Clare name?

I am trying to trace a cousin of my grandmother's known to me only as "Attie" O'Brien (NOT the novelist, I hasten to add!), but I suspect that this was not her registered/baptismal name. I have come across a single instance of Attie is the 1901 census, namely Attie Fitzgerald in Ennistymon, which I find interesting because the Attie O'Brien that I am trying to trace was probably born in Ennistymon, or in the Ennistymon area.

TIA,

Hi Fiona

On p.67 of Houses of Clare, you will find Anthony John Parker of Ballyvalley described as `Atty'. So I vote for Anthony.

\pw

hi fiona,
i have sent a private message re attie obrian
mick o

Hello Fiona.
Attie could be short for Hattie, which in turn is a shortened form of Harriet.
Mike

Hi Fiona,

Donnchadh O Corrain and Fidelma Maguire state that the Irish first name ATHCHE or AITHCHE (pronounced A-he) is anglicised as Atty. They write that Athche or Aithche is the name of a virgin saint of Cell Aithche, Co. Limerick, whose feast day is 15 January.

I don't know whether Atty and Attie are the same diminutive or pet name.

Polycarp

Thank you to everyone who responded to my query re "Attie", and for the interesting suggestions that were made.

I still don't know for certain, but "internal" family evidence now suggests that her baptismal name may have been Margaret.

Thanks again,

I have just come across a reference to an Atty O'Donnell whose full name was Arthur.

So it appears that Atty and Attie were used as diminutives of quite a variety of both male and female names!