More Genealogy

[arrogcow]

nice site, although now I am thoroughly confused. Previous research, as well as most tartan-finder sites associate Thompson with the McTavish clan. This site shows it as a part of the MacThomas clan, meaning I have the wrong tartan.

Anyone have any ideas which is more apt to be correct?

I wouldn't trust this site as far as I could throw it. It is one of the many scam sites that sell made up stuff to unsuspecting amature genealogists.

For instance on the site, I can buy a scroll that states my name comes from Normandy. Farther down the page, I can buy another scroll that states my name is from Devonshire. Another site says my name is from Cornwal.

This site states that my coat of arms is a blue background there is a gold hand with a silver wing holding a silver sword. Others have given me three black wreaths on a blue and white background. And for the record I know families don't have coats of arms only individuals do - something this site should know.

Finally they state that my name has no tartan associated with it, but the Scottish Tartan Authority clearly states that I am "entitled" to the Aberdeen district tartan (I've found this in books as well). Granted I think someone at the STA probably just randonly assigns a tartan to any surname not previously recorded when someone asks, but this web site did not even bother to check with the largest tartan recorder in the world.

Adam

[macwilkin]

I wouldn't trust this site as far as I could throw it. It is one of the many scam sites that sell made up stuff to unsuspecting amature genealogists.

For instance on the site, I can buy a scroll that states my name comes from Normandy. Farther down the page, I can buy another scroll that states my name is from Devonshire. Another site says my name is from Cornwal.

This site states that my coat of arms is a blue background there is a gold hand with a silver wing holding a silver sword. Others have given me three black wreaths on a blue and white background. And for the record I know families don't have coats of arms only individuals do - something this site should know.

I'm ashamed to say that I didn't look at the web site before, Adam, but thank you for bringing this to light -- this is a bucket-shop, and you are 100% correct, there is no such thing as a family crest -- arms belong to individuals, not the surname (at least in British & Irish heraldry). Stay far, far away from places like this. They may be "honest businessmen", but they are selling misinformation and generalisation to unsuspecting individuals with good intention. I dealt with this on an almost daily basis as a genealogy librarian.

Finally they state that my name has no tartan associated with it, but the Scottish Tartan Authority clearly states that I am "entitled" to the Aberdeen district tartan (I've found this in books as well). Granted I think someone at the STA probably just randonly assigns a tartan to any surname not previously recorded when someone asks, but this web site did not even bother to check with the largest tartan recorder in the world.
Adam

More likely, Adam, there are a number of people in Aberdeenshire with your surname -- that doesn't mean that there might be others with that surname in other parts of Scotland, but a large concentration may have or still reside there. For instance, there are Williamsons all over Scotland, but my branch come from Fife.

Regards,

Todd

[Livingston]

arms belong to individuals, not the surname (at least in British & Irish heraldry).

AND Scottish heraldry. The Lord Lyon is the person that grants coats of arms to individuals.

[highlander_Daz]

This website is a comple dead loss, type in the name "taylor" (a distant great cousins name) an it come up with the following

"The taylor family name originated in Kent , located in Scotland "

I think youll find Kent is actually in the south of England !
credibility hits the floor!

[caig]

I, too, am convinced that this site is not reputable. I searched my family name (Caig) and came up with some very basic information ( but true). However, I was offered a "family" Coat of Arms which was depicted. In Scotland there is no such thing as a family Coat of Arms, as arms are assigned to a single person.

Dont touch this site !

[Eujeankilt]

This website is a comple dead loss

To take anything on the internet as the whole gospel truth is very dangerous, but plugging in some ancestral names here led me to investigate further at other sites. When I found this site, I was looking for some way to identify the possible origins of ancestral names. This site got me started. Free advice (from any site) is worth what you pay for it.

As it turns out, my Great-Great-Great Grandmother had an Irish surname (Means) who's ancestors may have come from Scotland. One other site showed a concentration of Means' in Perthshire.

I wouldn't recommend this site a the be all and end all for genealogical research, but any information is helpful. As always, YMMV....

Dale

[mudd]

To take anything on the internet as the whole gospel truth is very dangerous, but plugging in some ancestral names here led me to investigate further at other sites. When I found this site, I was looking for some way to identify the possible origins of ancestral names. This site got me started. Free advice (from any site) is worth what you pay for it.

Aye, that's my take too. But I like any source that tells me I'm more celtic than I thought I was. True or not. :rolleyes:

[Cawdorian]

Take a look at www.electricscotland.com, go the Family Tree page, there are some good articles and great reading on this site.

There is a book by Dr. Thomas Cairney, it is an Ethnology (spelling) that deals with the Origin of the Scottish and Irish Clans and deals in great depth with the origin of surnames and relationships of the Scottish and Irish families.

It's a very good little book, you can find the text of it on the Electric Scotland website.