Why is a name written as Jno?

[Grunty]

In eighteenth century documents, the name John is often written as Jno. How did this abbreviation come about. Is it a relic of an earlier name, and was in in fact pronounced John?

[Octavius]

I suspect it was because data in tables back in the days when print face was set by hand was limited. To make a full name fit in the space allocated it, the printer rarely had space to include middle names, even middle initials. If a name was too long, the first name was the first to be abbreviated. In rare cases, the last name is also abbreviated.

Rules for abbreviations were more or less created to fit the situation. One first name could be abbreviated several ways, depending on the space available. For example, Edward is abbreviated as: Edw. Ed'wd. E'ward. John is always abbreviated as Jno.

[Octavius]

I should add, that as well as the printing, in signing legal documents as well the limited space led to people shortening their first names on such documents. John & Edward were very common names and so easily distinguished even when shortened. Also Wm. for William.

[Narolines]

I've always thought of Jno as an abbreviation for Jonathan, not John; that's how I've always seen it used. I suppose it's arguable that John is itself an abbreviation of Jonathan, but I'm not about to get into those murky waters!

[Grunty]

Many thanks both. It has always puzzled me because of the position of the o. I am not sure about John/Jonathan. In Hebrew, John means 'God is merciful'. Jonathan is 'God gives' and Nathaniel is 'Gift of God' which implies more of a connection between the last two.

[jno]

goodness, that could almost be me. Here is an explanation.

[Grunty]

Thanks jno. Now I understand, I think.

[jno]

hey, I never said it was a clear explanation

[ncdave4life]

The link posted by Jno is kaput, but there's a copy of that page here:
http://web.archive.org/web/20040901000000*/http://www.serv.net/~camel/wodehouse/jno.html