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2024 52 Ancestors: Nickname - LeeRoy

My great grandfather George Foltz had two middle names, Lee and Roy. Nowhere in his parents' families do any of his given names exist, so it's unknown what led to him being named George LeeRoy.

George LeeRoy Foltz

But was he named George LeeRoy? Or was it George Lee Roy? Or how about George LeRoy or Leroy? In the end, he went by the nickname Roy, so I guess it doesn't really matter.

But there are certainly historical documents out there that list him with all of those variations. And even on his homestead application, 3 of those variations are included across just 2 pages....and he corrected one of them to LeeRoy, inserting a missing "e"! Plus, he signed his name "Georg LeeRoy Foltz" on another page (oddly dropping the "e" from George)! What's that about?




Is it likely that going by Roy seemed the simplest way to always get it right? Well, if that's the case, then why go and name your son Charles Leroy Foltz?  Or did they name him LeRoy? Well, can you guess what nickname Charles went by?

Charles LeRoy Foltz

I bet you got it wrong! He went by Lee! Who'd have thunk it?

So back to the question....did his parents really name him Charles Leroy? Or, was it actually LeeRoy or Lee Roy since he went by Lee? And when did father and son decide one would go by Roy and the other by Lee?

The origin of names and nicknames can always be so fascinating. You just wish the stories behind the names always got passed down with them!






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