De-Anglicisation of Names

[slohairt]

Hey, how about the name Plestead.

Thanks again so much. You Rock!

Go raibh maith agat! (thank you!)

PLESTEAD I would guess this to be of English origin. As to its etymology, I couldn't tell you. A Gaelicised spelling (for amusement sake) could be de Pleistéid.

[Ozman1944]

This is such an interesting thread. My maternal great grandfather was a Stewart (not likely decended from the famous ones, but was curious?)

[slohairt]

This is such an interesting thread. My maternal great grandfather was a Stewart (not likely decended from the famous ones, but was curious?)

STEWART There was a saying from James V, "Aw Stewarts are nae sib tae the king." All Stewarts are not related to the King. There is also the expression used by the Gaels to refer to the House of Stewart, "Cinne nan righ's nan ceard." The race of kings and tinkers. The "official" Gaelic forms of Stewart are Stiùbhart (SCOTTISH GAELIC - pronounced STEW-ART) and Stíobhard (IRISH - pronounced STEE-WARD).

[Mael Coluim]

Slohairt, I would appreciate to read your findings on my surname Malcolm. Thank you!

[slohairt]

Slohairt, I would appreciate to read your findings on my surname Malcolm. Thank you!

MALCOLM From Maol Chaluim (SCOTTISH GAELIC); Maol Coluim (IRISH). The name means follower of St. Columba. Maol literally means bald, and in this sense implies tonsured. A MacCallum (original Gaelic Mac Chaluim) chief anglicised his name to Malcolm and there has been confusion between the two names ever since. Though they are etymologically similar, they are unrelated.

[Ozman1944]

Ah yes, "Tinkers" sounds more like MY family than Kings,
I guess I have to cancel the gilt coach and matching throne....

[sarge]

My last name is CULLUM and my mother was CATES. The Cullum's came to the USA from Ireland, yet the spelling Cullum in Ireland is practically non existant, so I imagine it got twisted a bit when entering the USA.

Any thoughts?

[slohairt]

My last name is CULLUM and my mother was CATES. The Cullum's came to the USA from Ireland, yet the spelling Cullum in Ireland is practically non existant, so I imagine it got twisted a bit when entering the USA.

Any thoughts?

CULLUM There are two possibilities: English (the most likely), similar to names like Culham or Cullam. A Gaelicised spelling would be the same, Cullum. The other possibility is that it is Anglicised from MacCallum. MacCallum IS found in Ireland, and the bearers are usually descendants of Scottish Gallowglass. Like most names of Scottish Gaelic origin, when transplanted to Ireland the spelling was altered to conform to the rules of the Irish (Gaelic) language. Thus, Mac Chaluim (original Scottish Gaelic) became Mac Choluim, translated as son of Colm, a personal name meaning dove.
CATES As in Phoebe Cates? My guess would be English and that it is the same name as Keats, derived from the Anglo-Saxon cyta meaning herdsman. A Gaelicised spelling would be Céatas.

[sarge]

Thanbk you very much

[SergeantFirstClass]

Ok, correct me if I'm wrong. Mine is Connell, Scottish, not Irish from Kilmarnock. It would have come from MacDhomhnuill as the "D" whould be changed due to the vocative form, right. Thereby MacConnell pronunciation.