De-Anglicisation of Names

[Erikm]

Thanks again slohairt

[Derek Conley]

DEREK There is no Irish (or Scottish or Manx) version of Derek. There is a similar sounding name Darach, which is derived from dara, meaning 'oak-like' referring either to the strength of the oak tree or its Druidic spiritual qualities.

GAIGE Not sure. Likely the same name as Gage, which I believe is of Norman origin.

KAVANAUGH This is an Anglicisation of Ó Caomhánaigh (pronounced O CAVE-AUN-EE), meaning 'descendant of Caomhánach'. Caomhánach (pronounced CAVE-AUN-AKH) means 'gentle person' or 'gentle-like'.

CONLEY Some claim this to be an Anglicisation of Ó Conghaile (pronounced O CON-ILL-EE; usually Anglicised as Connolly), but I think it is more likely to be from Ó Conlaoith (pronounced O CON-LEE) meaning 'descendant of Cú Laoth. Cú Laoth (pronounced COO LAY) is a personal name meaning 'warrior-hound'.

Excellent! Thanks so much.

As for "Derek", I know it's derived from the Germanic name "Theodoric", which translates to "ruler of the people". Fun stuff.

[herrjohn]

This is a great thread, just read through all 45 pages and found nothing related to names in my family.

I've always been told the whole line descended from the british isles but never heard any specifics.

Meek, Orr, Gray, Beachum are what I come from.

Thanks,
John

[slohairt]

This is a great thread, just read through all 45 pages and found nothing related to names in my family.

I've always been told the whole line descended from the british isles but never heard any specifics.

Meek, Orr, Gray, Beachum are what I come from.

Thanks,
John

MEEK Likely an Anglo-Saxon descriptive name, meaning what it implies.
ORR This name appears to be quite prevalent in Scotland and the North of England. It can be from two different origins: 1) from Scottish Gaelic odhar meaning 'dun' or 'drab' or 2) Old Norse personal name Orre meaning 'blackcock'.
GRAY Probably another Anglic descriptive name.
BEACHUM Not sure about this one. Possibly Anglo-Saxon topographical or a corrupted form of Anglo-Norman Beauchamp.

[gilmore]

BEACHUM[/B] Not sure about this one. Possibly Anglo-Saxon topographical or a corrupted form of Anglo-Norman Beauchamp.

Yes, that's it, the latter.

[BroosterB1]

Ok, great stuff. What about Byers? Closet I've gotten is Birse. Just for fun lets go for Bruce Richard as well. FYI Birse or Byers is a Sept of Lindsay.

[Ivy]

Great stuff. My Scottish ancestry comes from my Mom's side, Ralston. My last name, Ivy, is the one that gets conflicting origins though...

[gilmore]

Great stuff. My Scottish ancestry comes from my Mom's side, Ralston. My last name, Ivy, is the one that gets conflicting origins though...

Surname profiler http://www.nationaltrustnames.org.uk/default.aspx shows it mostly in a small area in the north of England around Harrowgate and north of Liverpool, and in Cornwall.

[Downix]

Surname profiler http://www.nationaltrustnames.org.uk/default.aspx shows it mostly in a small area in the north of England around Harrowgate and north of Liverpool, and in Cornwall.

I just used that for my own... holy smokes, all through Wales and the Hebrides.

[jrmiller]

What fun! I have "Roberts" and "Miller" on my father's side. I am told Roberts is Scottish, but dunno think so. There is a Roberts tartan, but it is Welsh.