De-Anglicisation of Names

[Downix]

Usually the English topographical element Down is derived from the Celtic Dun meaning 'hill fort'.

Which begs the question, where do those Downes from Ireland, Wales and Scotland come from?

But was not aware of Dun being a hill fort, I shall take note of that. Still, to figure out which Noah Downs was the father to my g-g-g-grandfather Thomas.

[slohairt]

Which begs the question, where do those Downes from Ireland, Wales and Scotland come from?

But was not aware of Dun being a hill fort, I shall take note of that. Still, to figure out which Noah Downs was the father to my g-g-g-grandfather Thomas.

In Ireland, the surname Down(e)(s) can be an Anglicisation of Ó Duinn, which means 'descendant of Donn'. Donn is the Irish word for 'brown'. On rare occasions, it is an Anglicisation of Ó Dubháin, meaning 'descendant of Dubhán', a personal name meaning 'little dark one'.

[Downix]

In Ireland, the surname Down(e)(s) can be an Anglicisation of Ó Duinn, which means 'descendant of Donn'. Donn is the Irish word for 'brown'. On rare occasions, it is an Anglicisation of Ó Dubháin, meaning 'descendant of Dubhán', a personal name meaning 'little dark one'.

cool to hear. Now to figure out of the Noah that was his father was the one that was decended from James (from Ireland) or Thomas (from England).

[Windwalker]

I've looked through the thread, did not see either one, so care to have a go at Barbour (fathers) or Kirk (mothers)? Thanks!

[slohairt]

I've looked through the thread, did not see either one, so care to have a go at Barbour (fathers) or Kirk (mothers)? Thanks!

BARBOUR Occupational, from Middle English barbour, meaning...barber! Of course in those days barbers did all sorts of things beside cutting hair! The spelling 'Barbour' seems to be almost exclusively Scottish.

KIRK Multiple unrelated origins. It could be a Scottish locational name, as kirk is the Scots word for 'church'. Kirk is also an Anglicisation of the Irish Ó Cuirc.

[Windwalker]

Thanks for the info, just one more if you get the chance, Carson.

[slohairt]

Thanks for the info, just one more if you get the chance, Carson.

CARSON Unknown etymological origin. 13th Century record list it as 'de Carsan', so one could presume that it is territorial. The first syllable 'car' is present in a number of place names in the Scottish Lowlands. It is usually derived from the Brythonic caer meaning 'fort'.

[Jaem]

Nice work! Perhaps you could give your opinion on the name McAbee? Would it be a variation on McPhee or something else? Thanks for all your work on this thread!

[ANGELMAN]

How about O'Keefe and Welch?

[slohairt]

How about O'Keefe and Welch?

O'KEEFE This is Anglicised from Ó Caoimh (pronounced O KEEV). It means 'descendant of Caomh', a personal name meaning 'gentle'.

WELCH Just what it implies: 'Welch' or 'Welsh'. However, most modern bearers of this name (along with Walsh, Walshe etc.) are usually Irish. When the Anglo-Normans invaded Ireland they came via Wales and brought many Welsh retainers with them. The native Irish referred to these people as Breathnach. This surname was later Anglicised as Brannagh, and translated as Welch/Welsh/Walsh/Walshe.