Fraternal and Benevolent Societies in Ontario
Society Abbreviations
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These societies loved abbreviations, acronyms, and exotic titles. Following is a list of abbreviations for
the name of the society or a significant component within the society, intended to help you in reading general material such as a city
directory. It does not include abbreviations for the various positions within a society since those would make the list impossibly long
and not contribute much to your assistance.
A&ASR – Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (see Freemasons)
AAONMS – Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (see Freemasons)
AboD – Apprentice Boys of Derry (see Orange Order)
AF&AM – Ancient Free and Accepted Masons (see Freemasons)
AMOS – Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans (see Oddfellows)
AOF – Ancient Order of Foresters
AOH – Ancient Order of Hibernians
AOS – Ancient Order of Shepherds
AOUW – Ancient Order of United Workmen
BPOE – Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
BU – Bolton Unity, Oddfellows
CF – Chosen Friends
CFA – Canadian Fraternal Association
CHC – Canadian Order of Home Circles
COF – Canadian Order of Foresters
COCF – Canadian Order of Chosen Friends
COHC – Canadian Order of Home Circles
COOF – Canadian Order of Odd Fellows
CMBA – Catholic Mutual Benefit Association
D of R – Rebeccas (Odd Fellows)
EBA – Emerald Beneficial Association
GFS – Girls Friendly Society
IOF – Independent Order of Foresters
IOG – Independent Order of Good Templars
IOGT – Independent Order of Good Templars
IOOF – Independent Order of Oddfellows
IOR – Independent Order of Rechabites
K of H – Knights of Honor
KOP – Knights of Pythias
KOTM – Knights of the Maccabees
KSF - Knights of Sherwood Forest (see Foresters)
LOBA – Ladies Orange Benevolent Association
LOL – Loyal Orange Lodge
LOTM – Ladies of the Maccabees
MU – Manchester Unity, Oddfellows
OBT – Order of British Templars
OCHC – Canadian Order of Home Circles
OYB – Orange Young Britons (see Orange Order)
PAPB – Protective Order of Prentice Boys (see Orange Order)
RAM –Royal Arch Masons (see Freemasons)
RAOB – Royal Antidiluvian Order of Buffaloes
RTofT - Royal Templars of Temperance
SK – Select Knights (see AOUW)
WOW – Woodmen of the World
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