De-Anglicisation of Names

[ANGELMAN]

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.

Thanks for the info.

[slohairt]

How 'bout Catanach (ok scottish), Hood (my mother's madien name), Metcalf (my wife's madien name), Nichols (my wife's father's mother's madien name)

CATANACH You probably already know this, but it means 'of Clann Catan', which was the loose confederation of the clans MacIntosh (Mac an Toisich), MacPherson (Mac a' Phearsain), MacGillivray (Mac Gille Bhràith) and Farquharson (Mac Fearchair). The name is based upon the old Celtic tradition of naming tribes for animals, in this the cat. Coincidentally, the word catanach also means 'rough' or 'shaggy'!

HOOD Usually Anglo-Saxon, from Huda (hood). This could place it anywhere in the island of Great Britain. Irish Hoods are usually derived from Ó hUid, Mac Uid or may be translations of Irish names that refer to head wear of some kind.

METCALF North of England name. Not sure of the etymology.

NICHOLS Usually Anglicised from Mac Neacail, meaning 'son of Neacal', a Gaelic form of Nicholas.

[slohairt]

My mum gets pissy when I tell her that I can't find any Scots background for her mum's maiden name Laird. Care too enlighten me? ps her maiden name is O'Brien

LAIRD From the Scots word laird, cognate with the English word 'lord'.

O'BRIEN This is Anglicised from Ó Briain (pronounced O BREE-UN), meaning 'descendant of Brian.' You may have noticed that Brian is actually pronounced BREE-UN, not BRY-AN. The vowel combination "ia" is always pronounced as "ee-uh" not "eye-uh".

[slohairt]

Um, Laird is scottish:
http://www.surnamedb.com/surname.aspx?name=Laird
No de-anglicisation needed, it's already in pure Gaelic.

Yes, it is Scottish. However, Scottish does not always mean Scottish Gaelic. Laird is a Scots word, cognate with the English word lord. The Scottish Gaelic word for lord is Tighearn.

[slohairt]

Let's see, Chisholm is Siosal is there any correlation between the lowland place name and the highland gaelic name.

CHISHOLM From Chisholme near Hawick? Yes, I believe the Scottish Gaelic Siosal or Siosalach (pronounced SHIS-AL and SHIS-AL-AKH) are actually 'Gaelicisations' of Chisholm. Many Lowland names/families that migrated into the Highlands became fairly integrated into Gaelic culture, much like the Normans in Ireland. Compare Gordon (Gordanach), Graham (Greumach), Fraser (Frisealach), and Grant (Grannd).

[xena]

MONOGUE: I would guess this is anglicised from the Irish name Ó Muineog, "descended from the little monk." Pronounced O MwIN-OAK. While it may seem odd to be descended from a monk, it must be remembered that the Celtic Church didn't require celibacy. (Or so it is said.) Variants: Minnock, Minogue, O'Minogue.

Also, please consider that it's possible to be descendant from a father who became a monk later in life. As a monk, I can assure you, none of us were born monks.

FWIW, non-celibate monks are just pious lay people. Celibacy was ALWAYS, at least theoretically, required of monks, but not of clergy. Universal celibacy of the clergy is something that is of (relatively) late origin and unique to the Latin Church.

Sorry for the highjack. Further discussions probably should go to PM's. Back to your regularly scheduled postings...

How about "Humphrey" as a last name. Apparently of Norman/Welsh origin, emigrated to Canada from Co. Limerick.

Thanks.

[slohairt]

Also, please consider that it's possible to be descendant from a father who became a monk later in life. As a monk, I can assure you, none of us were born monks.

FWIW, non-celibate monks are just pious lay people. Celibacy was ALWAYS, at least theoretically, required of monks, but not of clergy. Universal celibacy of the clergy is something that is of (relatively) late origin and unique to the Latin Church.

Sorry for the highjack. Further discussions probably should go to PM's. Back to your regularly scheduled postings...

How about "Humphrey" as a last name. Apparently of Norman/Welsh origin, emigrated to Canada from Co. Limerick.

Thanks.

Indeed! Although I don't think I recall suggesting that someone had been born a monk, rather that the progenitor (real or imagined) of their surname was. It could also have been a nickname as well.

HUMPHREY (Also Humphries and Boumphries) This is usually Anglicised (technically translated) from the Welsh Ap Wmffre or Ab Wmffre, meaning 'son of Humphrey'.

[xena]

Indeed, but there is a common assumption that one has to have never been married in order to become a monk, or priest. Such is not the case.

Thanks for the info about the name.

[gilmore]

...
FWIW, non-celibate monks are just pious lay people. ...

Non-celibate clergy (or those whose vows do not necessarily preclude marriage) are not monks, and are usually termed "priests" in most religious traditions. "Monk" comes from the Greek, "monos," meaning "alone," "one," "singular" but particularly indicating the unmarried state, in a religious context.

[xena]

Gilmore,

PM inbound. We shouldn't hijack the thread.