De-Anglicisation of Names

[slohairt]

Hello Slohairt!

Great thread you have here! I was wondering if you could help me out? I always assumed that my mother's surname, Potts, was English. My uncle recently told me it was of Gealic origin. Could Potts be an anglicized version of MacFilib? Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Slainte!
David

A Dhaibhidh,

POTTS This name is of English etymological origin, derived from Philpott, a pet form (probably Norman) of Phillip. Of course, this could mean it is found in the Lowlands of Scotland as well as in England. However, etymologically speaking, it is not of Gaelic origin. Occasionally, Potts can also be an occupational name, much like Potter.

Mac Fhilib, means son of Phillip, and is usually Anglicised as MacKillop. I am often leery of sept lists which place names together of differing locale and linguistic origin. Just because they have a similar root (albeit from two different languages) does not mean they are connected.

[Daibhidh O'Baoighill]

A Dhaibhidh,

POTTS This name is of English etymological origin, derived from Philpott, a pet form (probably Norman) of Phillip. Of course, this could mean it is found in the Lowlands of Scotland as well as in England. However, etymologically speaking, it is not of Gaelic origin. Occasionally, Potts can also be an occupational name, much like Potter.

Mac Fhilib, means son of Phillip, and is usually Anglicised as MacKillop. I am often leery of sept lists which place names together of differing locale and linguistic origin. Just because they have a similar root (albeit from two different languages) does not mean they are connected.

Thanks Sohairt!