De-Anglicisation of Names

[slohairt]

I've looked through most of the thread...have you done Adams?

ADAMS This is one of those names that could be derived from a variety of origins:

1) If Anglic in origin (the most likely; this would cover both England and Lowland Scotland) it means son of Adam.

2) If Irish or Scottish Gaelic, it is Anglicised from Mac Adhaimh (usually pronounced MAC AY-IV). The modern Gaelic forms are Mac Ádaim (IRISH) and Mac Àdaim (SCOTTISH GAELIC), both pronounced MAC AWD-IM and both meaning son of Adam.

3) If Welsh, it is Anglicised from Ap Addam (pronounced AP ATH-AM - I think). Like the other examples, it also means son of Adam. The usual Anglicised form found in Wales, however, is Addams. (As in Gomez and Fester.)

[Ancienne Alliance]

Just discovered this Thread. Very interesting.

[slohairt]

Rankin, if you can.

RANKIN If of Anglo-Saxon etymology, it is a from Rand (a Germanic personal name meaning shield) + the diminutive suffix, kin.

If of Gaelic etymology (be it Irish or Scottish), it is from Mac Fhraincín (IRISH - pronounced MAC RAN-IK-EEN) or Mac Fhraingin (SCOTTISH GAELIC - pronounced MAC RAN-IK-IN) meaning son of the little Frenchman

[slohairt]

I have been told my Grandmothers father changed his name from Mc or MacGavin to Gavin because it "Sounded less Scot/Irish" so he could claim to be of British decent to potentail employers...is McGavin the base for Gavin or does it go further than that? Thanks.
My mothers maiden name was Doherty, which I have been to goes back to at least the 4th cent AD to (bare with me) O'Doctherian. (I have been told that this translates to Black King or Unlucky King, because he was killed and his family was scattered.
My name is Sommers, German name, which may be an occupational name, from Summoner, one who posts official notices or calls people before the autorities...but who knows.

Sorry I missed this one!

GAVIN

I'll assume that you mean English descent when you refer to British descent, as the Scots are (and the Irish were at that time) considered British. This is ironic, considering none of the accepted etymologies for the name are English!

1) If it is of Brythonic etymology (i.e. Welsh, Cornish, Strathclyde Britons, etc.), it is derived from the personal name, Gawain (of Arthurian fame), and would have no connection to M(a)cGavin.

2) If of Gaelic origin, it can be Anglicised from these possibilities:

Mac Gabhann (IRISH; older form Mac an Gobhainn) pronounced MAC GOW-AN or MAC GAV-AN. This is a patronymic meaning son of the smith.

Mac a' Gobhainn (SCOTTISH GAELIC) As the Irish example above.

Ó Gábháin (IRISH - pronounced O GAUV-AUN or O GOW-AUN) meaning descended from Gábhán, a personal name meaning little needy one.

DOHERTY This is actually Anglicised from the Irish, Ó Dochartaigh (pronounced O DOKH-ERT-EE) meaning descended from Dochartach. This personal name means unfortunate one. It has nothing to do with black or dark, though I supposed some may confuse the first syllable with dorcha, which DOES mean dark.

Here's some information on Clann Uí Dhochartaigh: They were originally a branch of the Cinéal Conaill, and were chiefs of Cinéal Éanna and Aodha Miodhair. By the end of the 14th Century, they were in control of Inis Eoghain (Inishowen Peninsula). Like most Irish clans, they lands and power was shattered in the 17th Century. The name is still very common in County Donegal and other parts of Ulster.

[sharpdressedscot]

RANKIN If of Anglo-Saxon etymology, it is a from Rand (a Germanic personal name meaning shield) + the diminutive suffix, kin.

If of Gaelic etymology (be it Irish or Scottish), it is from Mac Fhraincín (IRISH - pronounced MAC RAN-IK-EEN) or Mac Fhraingin (SCOTTISH GAELIC - pronounced MAC RAN-IK-IN) meaning son of the little Frenchman

Cool, thanks!

BTW, do happen to know if it's a sept of any clan?

[JerseyLawyer]

Cool, thanks!

BTW, do happen to know if it's a sept of any clan?

According to the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, it may be a Maclean name.

http://www.clanchiefs.org/clanfinder.html and try the "wide search".

[sharpdressedscot]

I haven't seen it in here, have you done Scott??

[bjproc]

do you have anything for Proctor, i'm sure it's an anglicised form from the french of le Proketour

[elrond]

Even If I'm Italian this si a really interesting thread! well done!

[Pancho]

Have you done Blair? Thank you.