De-Anglicisation of Names

[Mr. MacDougall]

What would the Gaelic version of "Fletcher" be? For that matter, my given name is Regan, which I'm told is Irish Gaelic for "King"... yes? No?

Thanks for doing this thread, by the bye... it is fascinating.

[slohairt]

What would the Gaelic version of "Fletcher" be? For that matter, my given name is Regan, which I'm told is Irish Gaelic for "King"... yes? No?

Thanks for doing this thread, by the bye... it is fascinating.

An tUasal Mac Dubhghaill,

FLETCHER Fleisdear (SCOTTISH GAELIC) pronounced FLESH-TER; Fleastar (IRISH) pronounced FLESS-TER. There is a Scottish surname based on this name: Mac an Fhleisdeir, meaning son of the fletcher, anglicised as (M(a)c)Lester and Fletcher (obviously).

REGAN The Modern Irish form is Riagán (pronounced REE-UG-AUN) and means little king. The Irish surname Regan (also Reagan, etc.) is based on this name. Ó Riagáin (Modern Irish).

P.S. The older Irish form (meaning pre-1940s!) of this name was Ríoghán (pronounced REE-AUN or REEG-AUN depending on region/dialect). The corresponding surname therefore was Ó Ríogháin.

[Big Homestead]

Wow, amazing thread! We all owe you a pint.

How about the names MacHuish (Norman Welsh/Scot?) Schmidt (which is germanic for Smith), and Hauck(swiss or german).

Blessings to you and yours!!!

[slohairt]

Wow, amazing thread! We all owe you a pint.

How about the names MacHuish (Norman Welsh/Scot?) Schmidt (which is germanic for Smith), and Hauck(swiss or german).

Blessings to you and yours!!!

MACHUISH I did some searching on this one, and found nothing at all. Based on sound approximation, it could be Anglicised from many possibilities: Mac Cuis, Mac Ois?

Frankly this method fails more often than not. The Gaelic languages are vastly different than English, and have many silent letters and letter combinations that weren't represented when these names were Anglicised. Gaelic also has many sounds which simply don't exist in English. Furthermore, while some people say that pronunciation was preserved through Anglicisation, this is patently untrue. Most Anglicisations of Gaelic names were done by Anglophone scribes who had little knowledge (or regard) for Gaelic. Most of the versions we now know bear minimal resemblance in sound to the original.

Here's an example. The Irish surname Mulryan (pronounced today as MULL-RYE-AN) was originally Ó Maoilriain (pronounced O MEEL-REE-UN)

SCHMIDT The Gaelic for smith is Gobhann (SCOTTISH GAELIC) and Gabhann (IRISH). Both are pronounced as GOW-AN or GOE-AN, depending on dialect. There is a surname already based on this name: Mac a' Gobhainn (SCOTTISH GAELIC) and Mac Gabhann (IRISH). Both mean son of the smith. We recognise it today Anglicised as MacGowan.

HAUCK ? German names are obviously a little out of my area of expertise. A Gaelicised spelling (for amusement sake) could be Hác.

[Fox]

A fun thread. Patronymic is Albert via French Canadian father. Matronymic is Johnston and given name is Todd. Thanks

[slohairt]

A fun thread. Patronymic is Albert via French Canadian father. Matronymic is Johnston and given name is Todd. Thanks

ALBERT The Gaelic version (whther Irish or Scottish) is Ailbeart. Pronounced AL-I-ByART. A patronymic based on this would be Mac Ailbeirt.

JOHNSTON A Gaelic translation of this name could be Baile Sheáin (IRISH - pronounced BAL-A HyAUN), Baile Eoin (IRISH - pronounced BAL-A YOE-IN), Baile Iain (SCOTTISH GAELIC - pronounced BAL-A EE-UN), or Baile Eòin (SCOTTISH GAELIC - pronounced BAL-A YOE-IN).

TODD Tod(d) is th Lowland Scots word for fox. The Gaelic for fox is Sionnach, pronounced SHIN-AKH.

[slohairt]

Dia Dhuit, mo charai!

It occurred to me that we have been dealing mainly with the de-anglicisation of personal and surnames. Here are some de-anglicised Irish placenames. The Irish forms are, of course, official. The Irish government is slowly planning to do away with the English/anglicised forms. For instance, postmarks are only in Irish.

Ireland Éire

The four provinces:
Leinster Laighean
Ulster Uladh
Munster Mumhan
Connacht Connachta

The 32 counties:
Antrim Aontroim
Armagh Ard Macha
Carlow Ceatharlach
Cavan An Cabhán
Clare An Clár
Cork Corcaigh
Derry Doire
Donegal Dún na nGall
Down An Dún
Dublin Áth Cliath
Fermanagh Fear Manach
Galway Gaillimh
Kerry Ciarraí
Kildare Cill Dara
Kilkenny Cill Chainnigh
Laois Laois
Leitrim Liatroim
Limerick Luimneach
Longford An Longfort
Louth Lú
Mayo Maigh Eo
Meath An Mhí
Monaghan Muineachán
Offaly Uíbh Fhailí
Sligo Sligeach
Roscommon Ros Comáin
Tipperary Tiobraid Árann
Tyrone Tír Eoghain
Waterford Port Láirge
Westmeath An Iarmhí
Wexford Loch Garman
Wicklow Cill Mhantáin

Cities:
Athlone Baile Átha Luain
Belfast Béal Feirste
Clonmel Cluain Meala
Drogheda Droichead Átha
Dublin Baile Átha Cliath
Killarney Cill Airne
Newry An tIúr
Portstewart Port Stíobhaird

[Big Homestead]

Hey, how about the name Plestead.

Thanks again so much. You Rock!

[Retro Red]

Wow, this is a GREAT thread, slohairt!!! How did I miss this?

I'd sure appreciate a wave of your linguistic wand over these names -

My maternal family name: Reed

Paternal: Saylors (I think this is some kind of Anglecized German name)

First Name: Craig

Thanks for sharing this talent of yours!
.

[slohairt]

Wow, this is a GREAT thread, slohairt!!! How did I miss this?

I'd sure appreciate a wave of your linguistic wand over these names -

My maternal family name: Reed

Paternal: Saylors (I think this is some kind of Anglecized German name)

First Name: Craig

Thanks for sharing this talent of yours!
.

REED From the Anglo-Saxon read meaning red. This would of course be in reference to red hair. In Scotland it is usually rendered Reid. Some Reids are of Highland origin, their names having been originally Mac Gille Ruadh (pronounced MAC GILL-A ROO-A) or Mac an Ruadh (pronounced MAC AN ROO-A). These names mean son of the red-haired youth and son of the red respectively.

SAYLORS Could be German. There is a German name Sailer. There exists the possibility that it is simply from Sailor, the occupation. An Irish translation would be Mac an Mairnéalaigh (pronounced MAC AN MARN-AILEE) meaning son of the sailor.

CRAIG This name is from the Gaelic creag meaning rock or cliff.