De-Anglicisation of Names

[gilmore]

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]

Cunningham, Rasey?

[slohairt]

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]

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.

[slohairt]

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.

You may find it interesting that the MacLeods ruled the island of Raasay. Malcolm MacLeod, in particular, was an associate of Bonnie Prince Charlie, who hid for a time on Raasay after the '45.

[MacMoose]

Lumsden?

[slohairt]

Lumsden?

LUMSDEN (also Lumsdaine) Topographical from a place in Coldingham, Berwick. Uncertain etymology, possibly from a personal name. A Gaelicised spelling (for entertainment purposes only) could be Lumsdann.

[slohairt]

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.

You may find it interesting that the MacLeods ruled the island of Raasay. Malcolm MacLeod, in particular, was an associate of Bonnie Prince Charlie, who hid for a time on Raasay after the '45.

The Gaelic name of the island (and obviously the name, too) is Ratharsair (pronounced RA-HER-SER)

[berserkbishop]

Thanks for that info. I really dont know all that much about my heritage but it is cool to learn more. Any books you would reccomend for info on the MacLeod's or the Isle of Rasaay in general?

[macwilkin]

Thanks for that info. I really dont know all that much about my heritage but it is cool to learn more. Any books you would reccomend for info on the MacLeod's or the Isle of Rasaay in general?

http://www.clanmacleod.org/

http://www.clan-macleod-scotland.org.uk/

http://www.clanmacleodusa.org/

The MacLeod's are also supposed to have a clan tent at the St. Louis games, btw.

Cheers,

Todd