De-Anglicisation of Names

**Hamner** · 25th September 07, 09:01 AM

I am told by my father that Hamner is a Welsh name. (Of course, it's entirely possible he's wrong on this - I'm not entirely sure what his source is.) I don't know if it's be de-angilicized (is that the right word?), but in my searches around the internet I've never been able to find reference to an origin of the name. My elder relatives on my father's side haven't been able to shed any light on it either.

Could I beg a source from one of you all? What are some good internet resources from which I might continue my search for the origin of my surname? Or perhaps the name Hamner made the trip from Wales intact? I would be infinitely grateful for any tips.

Thanks!
SH

**slohairt** · 25th September 07, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by Oatmeal Savage

Could you help me with Grant? It is French/Norman?

Thanks
Kevin

Dia Dhuit, A Chaoimhín,

GRANT Grant is of Norman-French origin, from the word grand. The Grants in Scotland quickly immersed themselves into Highland culture. It's Gaelicised form is Grannd (SCOTTISH) or Grannt (IRISH).

**slohairt** · 25th September 07, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by Coinneach

I have a name hovering many years back in my ancestry: Glaspell. I think it might be Welsh and that a branch of the family became Glaspey.

My apologies if this doesn't fit into this thread at all.

Dia Dhuit, A Choinnich,

GLASPELL Could be Welsh. There is a place in Wales called Glaspwll. Glaspey may be a variant of Gillespie (original Gaelic: Mac Gille Easpaig), in which case it would be unrelated.

A Gaelicised spelling would be Gleaspaeil.

**slohairt** · 25th September 07, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by Hamner

I am told by my father that Hamner is a Welsh name. (Of course, it's entirely possible he's wrong on this - I'm not entirely sure what his source is.) I don't know if it's be de-angilicized (is that the right word?), but in my searches around the internet I've never been able to find reference to an origin of the name. My elder relatives on my father's side haven't been able to shed any light on it either.

Could I beg a source from one of you all? What are some good internet resources from which I might continue my search for the origin of my surname? Or perhaps the name Hamner made the trip from Wales intact? I would be infinitely grateful for any tips.

Thanks!
SH

Dia Dhuit,

De-Anglicisation refers to the process of taking a name (Gaelic origins, in the case of this thread) and reverting them to their original forms, if possible.

e.g. McDonald (Anglicised form) = Mac Domhnuill (original form)

As for the name Hamner, the last component "ner" makes me think of German origins. However, there is a place in Wales called Hanmer.

**gilmore** · 25th September 07, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by Hamner

I am told by my father that Hamner is a Welsh name. (Of course, it's entirely possible he's wrong on this - I'm not entirely sure what his source is.) I don't know if it's be de-angilicized (is that the right word?), but in my searches around the internet I've never been able to find reference to an origin of the name. My elder relatives on my father's side haven't been able to shed any light on it either.

Could I beg a source from one of you all? What are some good internet resources from which I might continue my search for the origin of my surname? Or perhaps the name Hamner made the trip from Wales intact? I would be infinitely grateful for any tips.

Thanks!
SH

Surname profiler http://www.nationaltrustnames.org.uk/Surnames.aspx shows Hamner in 1881 in northern Wales and adjacent areas of England

**berserkbishop** · 28th September 07, 11:28 AM

Cunningham, Rasey?

**slohairt** · 28th September 07, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by berserkbishop

Cunningham, Rasey?

A Berserkbishop,

CUNNINGHAM

1) Most of the time, this is a Scottish surname of topographical origin from the district of Cunninghame (official Scottish Gaelic name: Coineagan). The exact eytmology is confusing: one camp claims it to be Anglo-Saxon from Cumming (?) + hamm (river bend), while others say the Gaelic is original, and may have something to do with rabbits. Considering the location of Cunninghame, and that Galwegian Gaelic was spoken there until the 17th Century, the latter seems more likely.

2) In Ireland, Cunningham is an Anglicisation of the patronymics, Ó Cuinneacháin and Mac Cuinneacháin. (Pronounced O KWIN-yEKH-AUN and MAC KWIN-yEKH-AUN respectively.) The first means descendant of Cuinneachán, the latter means son of Cuinneachán. Cuinneachán is a personal name meaning little one of reason.

RASEY Unknown. Possibly English topographical origin? Possibly Scottish from the Isle of Raasay? Sorry.

**berserkbishop** · 30th September 07, 10:38 PM

Rasey, I believe is a variation of Rasaay that was adopted by my ancestor Malcom MacLeod's son, Malcom MacLeod Rasey when he came to the States. I dont know the motivation for the name change though.

**Arizona Scot** · 1st October 07, 04:31 PM

This is a very interesting thread I would love to see what you do with, Dorward fathers side and Goforth mothers side, thanks.

**slohairt** · 1st October 07, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by Arizona Scot

This is a very interesting thread I would love to see what you do with, Dorward fathers side and Goforth mothers side, thanks.

A Arizona Scot,

DORWARD Also Durward. Occupational name derived from door ward. In mediaeval Scotland, this was both an honourable and hereditary position. A Gaelicised spelling (for amusement sake) would be Dorbhard.

GOFORTH Explaining the etymology of this name as "Go Forth!" is tempting, but probably not accurate. I would guess it to be of Anglo-Saxon topographical origin. Gaelicised spelling (for amusement sake) Gofort (The "th" sound doesn't exist in Gaelic.)