Ralph Tollemache facts for kids

Ralph William Lyonel Tollemache-Tollemache (born October 19, 1826 – died October 5, 1895) was an English clergyman. He worked for the Church of England. He is most famous for the very unusual and often funny names he gave to his many children.

Ralph Tollemache's Life

Ralph William Lyonel Tollemache was born in 1826. He was the oldest son of Hugh Francis Tollemache. His father was also a clergyman. He served as a rector in Harrington for 58 years.

Ralph went to Uppingham School and Peterhouse, Cambridge university. He finished his studies in 1850. Like his father, he became a clergyman. He was ordained as a deacon in 1849. He became a priest in 1850.

In 1850, he became the rector of South Wytham in Lincolnshire. He stayed in this role until he passed away. He also worked as a Justice of the Peace in Lincolnshire. This meant he helped with local law and order.

Ralph married his cousin, Caroline Tollemache, on February 15, 1853. She was the daughter of Felix Thomas Tollemache.

Later, Ralph faced some financial difficulties. He had debts and was declared bankrupt in 1863. This means he could not pay his debts. He was released from bankruptcy in 1868. This was the year after his first wife died.

He married again on February 22, 1869. His second wife was Dora Cleopatra Maria Lorenza de Orellana. Her father was a Spanish army officer. In 1876, Ralph added to his last name. He became "Tollemache-Tollemache."

He died in 1895. His second wife lived until 1929.

His Children's Unique Names

Ralph Tollemache-Tollemache is best known for the very unusual names he gave his children. He had at least five children with his first wife:

• Lyonel Felix Carteret Eugene Tollemache (born January 15, 1854 – died March 4, 1952)
• Florence Caroline Artemesia (born February 19, 1855 – died May 24, 1935)
• Evelyne Clementina Wentworth Cornelia Maude (born June 7, 1856 – died 1919)
• Granville Grey Marchmont Manners Plantagenet (born June 8, 1858 – died April 20, 1891)
• Marchmont Murray Reginald Grasett Stanhope Plantagenet (born December 24, 1860 – died April 10, 1898)

His imagination really took off with the names for his many children from his second marriage:

• Dora Viola Gertrude Irenez de Orellana Dysart Plantagenet (born November 11, 1869 – died July 4, 1874)
• Mabel Helmingham Ethel Huntingtower Beatrice Blazonberrie Evangeline Vise de Lou de Orellana Plantagenet Toedmag Saxon (born March 11, 1872 – died January 5, 1955)
• Lyonesse Matilda Dora Ida Agnes Ernestine Curson Paulet Wilbraham Joyce Eugénie Bentley Saxonia Dysart Plantagenet (born November 9, 1874 – died August 26, 1944)
• Lyulph Ydwallo Odin Nestor Egbert Lyonel (LYONEL) Toedmag Hugh Erchenwyne (THE) Saxon Esa Cromwell Orma Nevill Dysart (SECOND) Plantagenet (born August 21, 1876 – died 1961)
• Lyona Decima Veroica Esyth Undine Cyssa Hylda Rowena Adela Thyra Ursuala Ysabel Blanche Lelias Dysart Plantagenet (born April 19, 1878 – died November 17, 1962). Her name "Decima" means "tenth" because she was his tenth child.
• Leo Quintus Tollemache-Tollemache de Orellana Plantagenet (born November 19, 1879 – died November 1, 1914). His name "Quintus" means "fifth" because he was his fifth son.
• Lyonella Fredegunda Cuthberga Ethelswytha Ideth Ysabel Grace Monica de Orellana Plantagenet (born January 14, 1882 – died October 3, 1952)
• Leone Sextus Denys Oswolf Fraudatifilius Tollemache-Tollemache de Orellana Plantagenet (born June 10, 1884 – died February 20, 1917). His name "Sextus" means "sixth" because he was his sixth son.
• Lyonetta Edith Regina Valentine Myra Polwarth Avelina Phillipa Violantha de Orellana Plantagenet (born February 14, 1887 – died January 7, 1951)
• Lyonulph Cospatrick Bruce Berkeley Jermyn Tullibardine Petersham de Orellana Dysart Plantagenet (born January 11, 1892 – died November 30, 1966)

Ralph's oldest son, Lyonel, inherited a special title called a "baronetcy" in 1935. He also inherited Ham House, a historic home. He later gave Ham House to the National Trust in 1948. This group helps protect important places.

Lyulph, another son, moved to New Zealand. He had 17 children there.

Leo Quintus Tollemache-Tollemache de Orellana Plantagenet Tollemache-Tollemache changed his name in 1908. He became Leo de Orellana Tollemache-Tollemache.

Leo and his brother Leone both died during the First World War. Leo died in battle in 1914. Leone died from the flu in 1917. People sometimes say Leone had the longest last name. But his father's choices for his children's first names were even more unusual! Leone's actual last name was just Tollemache-Tollemache. All the other long names were his first names.

The Tollemache family's unique names were even made fun of in a book. The author James Joyce used similar long, funny names in his novel Finnegans Wake.