I have been told my Grandmothers father changed his name from Mc or MacGavin to Gavin because it "Sounded less Scot/Irish" so he could claim to be of British decent to potentail employers...is McGavin the base for Gavin or does it go further than that? Thanks.
My mothers maiden name was Doherty, which I have been to goes back to at least the 4th cent AD to (bare with me) O'Doctherian. (I have been told that this translates to Black King or Unlucky King, because he was killed and his family was scattered.
My name is Sommers, German name, which may be an occupational name, from Summoner, one who posts official notices or calls people before the autorities...but who knows.