FAQ - Why I changed my name

It turns out that our ancestors spelt their surname "Humphrys" consistently from the earliest known literal records in the 1690s, through land records and gravestones in the 1700s, and church and state records and gravestones in the 1800s, until c.1900, when the surname was standardised to "Humphreys" for no apparent reason. The old spelling reflects the original (probably Norman) Welsh origins.

When in 1985 I found out about the old name, I liked it, and just started spelling my name that way. I changed my name officially by deed poll in 1988. No one else in my family changed, so I now spell my name different to my father and my brothers. I did surprise my father though by discovering that his father was born "Humphrys" in 1896.

The grave of my great-great-grandfather James Humphrys, showing the old spelling.

Tiled floor at the door of my great-granduncle Mick Humphrys' pub, 81 Dame St, Dublin.

Grave of my grandfather's 1st cousins, showing the old spelling.

The marriage cert of my great-grandfather Dr. David Humphreys, showing the old spelling still in use in 1895. He had been baptised with the old spelling in 1861.

The birth cert of my grandfather Dick Humphreys, showing the old spelling still in use in 1896.

The birth cert of my grandaunt Sighle Humphreys, showing the new spelling coming into use in 1899.

St.Enda's

Continuation of above. See full size.

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