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Colonial Craftsmen Names

Opening the door to America's colonial past reveals some very antiquated names that were worn by early craftsmen. Many of the names borne by Colonial furniture and clockmakers are what you’d expect — classic biblical names such as Jacob and Solomon, as well as traditional English names like William and Oliver.

Along with Jacob and William, other Colonial craftsman names in the US Top 100 include Caleb, Elias, Josiah, Levi, Miles, Samuel, Silas, and Thomas. Among the more surprising names found in furniture directories of the period are Gamaliel, Hercules, Kenelm, and Peregrine.

Colonial-era Americans also held onto the trend of Puritanical virtue names, evident in craftsmen named Prudent and Noble. Browse our collection of Colonial Craftsmen names below.

Jacob

Meaning: supplanter

Origin:Hebrew
137
William

Meaning: resolute protection

Origin:German
128
Thomas

Meaning: twin

Origin:Aramaic
59
Samuel

Meaning: told by God

Origin:Hebrew
87
Nicholas

Meaning: people of victory

Origin:Greek
124
Simon

Meaning: he has heard; flat-nosed

Origin:Hebrew, Greek
61
Gawen Gawen is a famous Scottish name. It has gene...
Origin:Scottish
10572
George

Meaning: farmer

Origin:Greek
191
Gerrard The name Gerrard is of German origin, derive...
Origin:Old German
10577