De-Anglicisation of Names

[Cyndi]

I'm sure they are. I think my Grandad told me that their name was Sinclair a long, long time ago.

[Cyndi]

Thank you! Do you know what kind of name Black is? That was my dad's name before he was adopted as a baby. I wonder about my roots there.

[slohairt]

Thank you! Do you know what kind of name Black is? That was my dad's name before he was adopted as a baby. I wonder about my roots there.

You're welcome, Cyndi!

BLACK Obviously, this is one of those surnames that could be of any origin. However, if we decide (arbitrarily) to narrow it down to the U.K. and Ireland, the following would be some possibilities:

1) Anglo-Saxon; from blaec, meaning...black!

2) Norse; from bleikr, meaning pale. (Quite the opposite!) I think this also the etymology of the word bleach and bleak, incidentally.

3) Gaelic; There are many Gaelic surnames, both Irish and Scottish, which contain the element dubh, or black. Here are some good examples:

Mac Gille Duibh (SCOTTISH GAELIC)
Mac Giolla Duibh (IRISH)

Both of these names mean son of the servant of the dark (coloured) one, or son of the dark youth, depending on one's interpretation. The are both pronounced MAC GILL-A DOO or MAC GILL-A DUV.

Mac Duibh (SCOTTISH GAELIC or IRISH) Son of the dark one. Usually Anglicised as M(a)cDuff or Duff. Pronounced MAC DOO or MAC DUV)

Sláinte!

[dowofbuchanan]

hello again thanks for the information and entertainment ... quick one for you ive got a name that research shows is mainly english but sometimes irish ... my stepsisters surname is shirley ... her dad is a short freckled flame head that burns looking at a lightbulb so when he claims to be irish i believe him ...

[slohairt]

hello again thanks for the information and entertainment ... quick one for you ive got a name that research shows is mainly english but sometimes irish ... my stepsisters surname is shirley ... her dad is a short freckled flame head that burns looking at a lightbulb so when he claims to be irish i believe him ...

As far as I can tell, the surname is of Anglo-Saxon etymology. The ley suffix is almost always a dead giveaway. According to most sources it is derived from scir meaning bright and leah meaning clear. That does not suggest they aren't Irish, of course. There are hundreds of Irish surnames that are not Irish in origin.

[Fougasse]

Thanks for the entertainment, I've just spent a very pleasant hour or so reading through all of this post. While the origin of most of my family names is relatively easy to track down I've always struggled with my own name, McCorriston.

[slohairt]

Thanks for the entertainment, I've just spent a very pleasant hour or so reading through all of this post. While the origin of most of my family names is relatively easy to track down I've always struggled with my own name, McCorriston.

I agree, it is a difficult name. The best I could find (so far), were vague topographical references suggesting it was a name meaning McCorrie's Town. I think that rather unlikely, though. It's probable that it just a really bad Anglicisation that will take some time sorting out. I'll keep looking.

[MacHummel]

Hey Slohairt
I'm looking for the spelling of the words Hope and Faith can you help

[slohairt]

Hey Slohairt
I'm looking for the spelling of the words Hope and Faith can you help

Hey, MacHummel!

If you're looking for the Irish words, here they be:

Hope = Dóchas (pronounced DOAK-AS)
Faith = Creideamh (pronounced CRED-EV or CRED-OW) or Muinín (MwIN-EEN)

The Scottish Gaelic is almost the same:

Hope = Dòchas
Faith = Creideamh or Muinighin

So, Hope and Faith would be Dóchas agus Creideamh or Dòchas agus Creideamh.

[TatterDel]

Hey, MacHummel!

The Scottish Gaelic is almost the same:

Hope = Dòchas
Faith = Creideamh or Muinighin

So, Hope and Faith would be Dóchas agus Creideamh or Dòchas agus Creideamh.

I guess the translator I used was wrong: Scottish
Aidmheil, Mòralach, Misneach

Faith, Honour, Courage

If you could assist me I'll change my signature.
Is there a Scottish Gaelic word for Chivalry?
as in "Chivalry above all" like a motto.