I am currently reading this :
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Storm-Conquest-Stephen-Taylor/dp/0571224652Very interesting. One of the major figures in the book is a remarkable naval man named Edward Pellew :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Pellew,_1st_Viscount_ExmouthFascinating man. Now Edward had 2 sons and nepotism being the order of the day he got the lads top jobs in the navy pretty dammed quick. He loved his sons of this there is no doubt but one wonders what was going through his mind when he named one of them.
Now I know that the usage of words changes over time. Names come in and out use. he gave one son the Christian name of ' Pownoll' which is fine (?) then or now. But when he picked a middle name one tries not to imagine the conversation :
Eddie : A fine looking lad, what shall we call him?
Mrs Eddie : How about 'Horatio' after Nelson who will be a great naval hero in the future.
Eddie: Never heard of him.
Mrs Eddie: Well you wouldnt cos' he isnt famous yet.
Eddie : Er.. No...How about 'Pownoll'?
Mrs Eddie : Thats nice, what about a middle name?
Eddie : Oooh, er....Bastard..thats tough one.
Mrs Eddie : Make your mind up, the midwife wants to cover me in leeches.
Eddie : ooh...bastard...er..
Mrs Eddie : Bastard?..mmm...has a certain ring to it. 'Pownoll Bastard Pellew' it is then, pass the gin.
Luckily, I only have daughters.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pownoll_Pellew,_2nd_Viscount_Exmouth