De-Anglicisation of Names

[Daibhidh O'Baoighill]

Hello Slohairt!

Great thread you have here! I was wondering if you could help me out? I always assumed that my mother's surname, Potts, was English. My uncle recently told me it was of Gealic origin. Could Potts be an anglicized version of MacFilib? Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Slainte!
David

[slohairt]

Hello Slohairt!

Great thread you have here! I was wondering if you could help me out? I always assumed that my mother's surname, Potts, was English. My uncle recently told me it was of Gealic origin. Could Potts be an anglicized version of MacFilib? Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Slainte!
David

A Dhaibhidh,

POTTS This name is of English etymological origin, derived from Philpott, a pet form (probably Norman) of Phillip. Of course, this could mean it is found in the Lowlands of Scotland as well as in England. However, etymologically speaking, it is not of Gaelic origin. Occasionally, Potts can also be an occupational name, much like Potter.

Mac Fhilib, means son of Phillip, and is usually Anglicised as MacKillop. I am often leery of sept lists which place names together of differing locale and linguistic origin. Just because they have a similar root (albeit from two different languages) does not mean they are connected.

[Rogerson785]

OK, how about Rogerson, AKA the son of Rogers.

[Daibhidh O'Baoighill]

A Dhaibhidh,

POTTS This name is of English etymological origin, derived from Philpott, a pet form (probably Norman) of Phillip. Of course, this could mean it is found in the Lowlands of Scotland as well as in England. However, etymologically speaking, it is not of Gaelic origin. Occasionally, Potts can also be an occupational name, much like Potter.

Mac Fhilib, means son of Phillip, and is usually Anglicised as MacKillop. I am often leery of sept lists which place names together of differing locale and linguistic origin. Just because they have a similar root (albeit from two different languages) does not mean they are connected.

Thanks Sohairt!

[slohairt]

OK, how about Rogerson, AKA the son of Rogers.

ROGERSON Though the Gaelic form of 'Roger' is Roistir (pronounced ROSH-CHER), I have never heard of a patronymic based upon it, be it Irish or Scottish. Rather, I think this might be a 'translated' name. I use this term loosely because for centuries, English names were often substituted for Gaelic names that had no connection whatsoever, barring a vague phonetic similarity. I think this may be a version of the Scottish Gaelic surname Mac Ruairidh (pronounced MAC ROO-AR-EE), usually Anglicised as MacCrory or MacRory.

Then again, if of Lowland origin, it could simply mean Roger's son.

[smaughazard]

Dia Dhuit, A Smaughazard!

KINCAID This was a bit trickier than I thought it would be, but here it goes. The name is topographical in origin and very old. It was originally Pen Coed which is Brythonic Celtic (i.e. similar to Welsh) and meant head of the woods. Later, when Gaelic overtook that language of the Strathcylde Britons the name became half-translated into Gaelic as Ceann Caith (pronounced KyAN KAY). Later, of course, this was anglicised into Kincaid.

You were kind enough to provide this information for me.

I am happy to announce that the Clan Kincaid website is finally up and running at http://www.clan-kincaid.org, and that you are credited at the top of the History page. Thanks again!

Bill Kincaid
Webmaster-Clan Kincaid

[slohairt]

Wow, thank you for the recognition! Both unexpected and much appreciated!

[Draelore]

This one should be easy: Campbell.

What is the Gaelic rendering of Andrew?

[Ealisaid]

If you are still looking here now and again, how about Ashmead?

[slohairt]

This one should be easy: Campbell.

What is the Gaelic rendering of Andrew?

CAMPBELL see Post #17

ANDREW
Aindréas or Aindriú (IRISH) pronounced AN-DRAY-US and AN-DROO
Aindrea or Anndras (SCOTTISH GAELIC) pronounced AN-DRA and AN-DRAS
Andra (MANX) pronounced AN-DRA