General names have meanings, including Mary and Jack. For specific meanings, you can check the English name dictionary online.
Basically no one uses a random combination of letters as a name. Even if they do, they must follow the rules of pronunciation, otherwise no one will be able to pronounce it and the original purpose of the name will be lost.
The issue of boys inheriting their father’s names… depends on each family. Basically it will be like this, son mike calls dad mike dad, dad calls son mike or little mike, or boy, etc. There are many ways of addressing people in foreign families.
If a British name is common enough, everyone will definitely spell it. If it's something rare, he will tell people how to spell it after finishing it, because he also knows that not everyone can spell it~
How do you know the year of an unfamiliar name... Personally, I suggest you look it up in a dictionary. Don't make subjective guesses. After all, it's a name. If you pronounce it wrong, others will think you don't respect them.
Thank you.