Pat Incog ??

[Kit]

I'm looking at baptisms in 1725 and it reads "Benedicta d of Mary Ash Pat. Incog."

I'm guessing the father is unknown or not admitting paternity but I don't understand what this phrase is short for nor exactly what it means.

Has anyone seem this?

[Olde Crone]

Incognito, I expect - unknown in other words, which is a bit sinister in those days when they did their utmost to find the name of a father.

OC

[Kit]

Going through the register all single mothers have this at the end of the baptism. So there seems to be a lot of it happening in that area.

[Olde Crone]

Oh well, in that case, perhaps the vicar didn't care!

OC

[Phoenix]

I reckon that the vicar was well-disposed towards the mother. Who, after all, would have suggested Benedicta as the name of a little bastard?

[Kit]

He must have liked all the mothers though Phoenix. It was a common thing, once I read through more baptisms.

I also found it on a couple of infant deaths too.