De-Anglicisation of Names

[JButch]

Yes this thread and the surnames of Scotland have had me reading/searching tons of stuff. My last name is Butcher which we always figured from UK welsh/english and my mother's side are MacPhee.

I am getting married at the end of the month in full highland dress with MacPhee kilt (everything has arrived and do have a piper now too ). I was wondering if I should have had a different kilt choice but only district tartan's come up under the butch name( I still will probably get a angus or aberdeen tartan kilt one day.)

Thank you to all for the wealth of knowledge available on this board.

[slohairt]

Just don't call me "Ozzy".

You mean Oisidh!

[slohairt]

Yes this thread and the surnames of Scotland have had me reading/searching tons of stuff. My last name is Butcher which we always figured from UK welsh/english and my mother's side are MacPhee.

I am getting married at the end of the month in full highland dress with MacPhee kilt (everything has arrived and do have a piper now too ). I was wondering if I should have had a different kilt choice but only district tartan's come up under the butch name( I still will probably get a angus or aberdeen tartan kilt one day.)

Thank you to all for the wealth of knowledge available on this board.

Dia Dhuit, JButch,

BUTCHER: A fairly common occupational surname in the English-speaking world. It is typically found in Scotland as Butchart. Usually it's meaning is obvious, though occasionally it can be from the French (via Norman) Bouchard, a corker. A Gaelic translation would be Feoladair (pronounced (FOAL-A-DER), or Mac an Feoladair (pronounced MAC AN FOAL-AD-DER) meaning son of the butcher if you like patronymics.

MACPHEE: This can be an Anglicisation from two completely separate and unrelated names: 1) Mac Dhuibhshith (pronounced MAC GUV-HEE) meaning son of the dark faerie or 2) Mac a' Phì (pronounced MAC A FEE) meaning son of the (?).

[kevinkinney]

Thank you for the info.

Theres a slight correction,

A review of our family chart shows the first recorded instance of "Kinney" as "Henry Kinne", with no prefix. This was while our ancestor was still in England.

Cheers,

Kevin.

[Gaisgeil]

How about Boyd?
It's Buidhe, correct? I think it means fair haired or in reference to the island of Bute. Any further insight?

[slohairt]

Thank you for the info.

Theres a slight correction,

A review of our family chart shows the first recorded instance of "Kinney" as "Henry Kinne", with no prefix. This was while our ancestor was still in England.

Cheers,

Kevin.

Dia Dhuit, A Chaoimhín,

Spelt "Kinne" you say? And in England? That changes things considerably! The name could then be of Anglo-Saxon, Norman, or possibly some other etymological origin, and in no way related to the (M(a)c)Kinney/Mackenzie name.

[slohairt]

How about Boyd?
It's Buidhe, correct? I think it means fair haired or in reference to the island of Bute. Any further insight?

Dia Dhuit, A Ghaisgeil,

Buidhe (pronounced BWEE) is the Gaelic word for yellow, so in that context, I suppose it could mean fair-haired. However, it is almost always Anglicised as Bowie. Boyd comes from Bòid (pronounced BOE-ID) and is topographical in origin, referring to the Isle of Bute.

[MacHenderson]

On the first page, Bradley asked about the name Henderson, or MacEunrig. Me and my dad have been arguing for a long time how its pronounced though. I think its pronouced like the alternative, MacKendrick. He thinks its pronounced Mac-YOOn-rig. Which is correct? Both? or neither?

Also, can you de-anglicise first names? I'm pretty sure my name, Woodrow, is an Anglo name. But that'd be cool if it could be de-anglicised.

[slohairt]

On the first page, Bradley asked about the name Henderson, or MacEunrig. Me and my dad have been arguing for a long time how its pronounced though. I think its pronouced like the alternative, MacKendrick. He thinks its pronounced Mac-YOOn-rig. Which is correct? Both? or neither?

Also, can you de-anglicise first names? I'm pretty sure my name, Woodrow, is an Anglo name. But that'd be cool if it could be de-anglicised.

Mac Eanruig meaning son of Henry, is pronounced MAC EN-RICK. The "d" in the Anglicisation of MacKendrick is just a phonetic aid. (i.e. Rodgers, Thompson, etc.)

As for first names, I think what you're asking for are Gaelic versions of other names. De-anglicisation of a first name would only apply to names like Shaun, which is an Anglicisation of Seán, or Donald, which is an Anglicisation of Domhnall.

Woodrow is Anglo-Saxon and originates from Woodruff, the plant. The Gaelic name for the plant is Lus a' Caitheamh (LUS A KA-yEV).

[slohairt]

MacHenderson has brought up an interesting related topic: Gaelic personal names.

Here is a sample list for your enjoyment.

Aindréas (m.) (IRISH) "Andrew"
Bhàltair (m.) (SCOTTISH) "Walter"
Catreeney (f.) (MANX) "Catherine"
Dainéal (m.) (IRISH) "Daniel"
Eumann (m.) (SCOTTISH) "Edmond"
Fynngal (m.) (MANX) "fair foreigner" (i.e. a Norwegian)
Gráinne (f.) (IRISH) "beloved(?)"
Ìosag (m.) (SCOTTISH) "Isaac"
Jamys (m.) (MANX) "James"
Lorcán (m.) (IRISH) "little fierce one"
Màiri (f.) (SCOTTISH) "Mary"
Niglas (m.) (MANX) "Nicholas"
Oisín (m.) (IRISH) "little deer"
Pàdair (m.) (SCOTTISH) "Peter"
Reerey (m.) (MANX) "possession holder(?)"
Séarlas (m.) (IRISH) "Charles"
Tòireusa (f.) (SCOTTISH) "Theresa"
Uaggin (m.) (MANX) "little horseman(?)"