De-Anglicisation of Names

**slohairt** · 23rd August 07, 09:52 PM

MONOGUE: I would guess this is anglicised from the Irish name Ó Muineog, "descended from the little monk." Pronounced O MwIN-OAK. While it may seem odd to be descended from a monk, it must be remembered that the Celtic Church didn't require celibacy. (Or so it is said.) Variants: Minnock, Minogue, O'Minogue.

**Mr. Kilt** · 23rd August 07, 09:56 PM

Very interesting thread! I still have a number of pages to get through, but your work on the names is amazing!

A tough one for you...
I've always been told that my surname, Gingles, is Irish. My dad's family can be traced back to the 1850's in Co. Antrim, but I'm at a loss as to the origin of the name. I've been told a number of possibiliteis, but I don't know who to believe. Any thoughts?

**slohairt** · 23rd August 07, 09:58 PM

RAYBURN: Also RAEBURN. Territorial, from Lowland Scots. Rae Burn in Eskdale. It means "Roe Deer Stream." A Gaelic Transliteration could be Raoburn. (Pronounced the same.) I had a Scottish teacher in high school with this last name, he wasn't very good!

**Clockwork John** · 23rd August 07, 10:05 PM

I've got a real tough one for you: Sean Campbell

Just kidding!

**slohairt** · 23rd August 07, 10:07 PM

COOK: Also Cooke. Obvious meaning. In Arran, Cook is often an anglicisation of Mac Cùga (pronounced MAC COOG-A).

An Irish translation could be Mac an Cócaire (MAC AN COKE-ER-EE) meaning "son of the cook." Scottish Gaelic would be Mac a' Còcaire.

**slohairt** · 23rd August 07, 10:10 PM

MACKELVAIN: Likely anglicised from Mac Giolla Bháin (IRISH) or Mac Gille Bhàin (SCOTTISH). Both are pronounced MAC GILL-A VAUN or MAC GILL-A WAUN and mean the same thing: "son of the white-haired youth" or "son of the white servant."

**slohairt** · 23rd August 07, 10:13 PM

Seán Caimbéal (IRISH)
Seathan Caimbeul (SCOTTISH GAELIC)

= John Crooked-Mouth!

**slohairt** · 23rd August 07, 10:26 PM

GINGLES: Yargh! That is a tricky one. Especially if it comes from Antrim, as that was prime turf for the Plantation. In which case it could be almost anything. If you're looking for a Gaelic origin possibility, it could be from Mac an Ghoill "son of the foreigner." Just an idea.

**slohairt** · 23rd August 07, 10:28 PM

ASBJORN: I'm going to assume this is OSBO(U)RN(E). A Gaelic transliteration would be Oisbiorna (pronounced AWSH-BERN-A. The Norse name Bjorn was often rendered "Biorna" is Gaelic.

**Mr. Kilt** · 24th August 07, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by slohairt

GINGLES: Yargh! That is a tricky one. Especially if it comes from Antrim, as that was prime turf for the Plantation. In which case it could be almost anything. If you're looking for a Gaelic origin possibility, it could be from Mac an Ghoill "son of the foreigner." Just an idea.

Thank you, Slohairt! That may be one more piece to the large puzzle of my name.