De-Anglicisation of Names

[CactusJack]

I have really enjoyed reading these post, I was wondering if you could tell me about my Great Great Grandfather's name which was Guilkey??

[slohairt]

just a quick post to say how much I've enjoyed reading this thread....again! Thanks, Slohairt.

Bryan...Williams and Rose and Douillet and Atwood...

Dia Dhuit, Flyv65,

BRYAN: Ultimately of Gaelic origin; Brian (properly pronounced BREE-UN, not BRY-UN), this name can be from any Celtic or even Anglo-Saxon/Norman source. Hard to say, without knowing more. Ó Briain (IRISH), Mac Briain (IRISH & SCOTTISH GAELIC)

WILLIAMS: Ah, this is my wife's maiden name. Welsh, of course! From "Ap Gwilym" meaning "son of William."

ROSE: If this is the Scottish surname, it would be Ròsach (pronounced ROSE-AKH).

DOUILLET: French, meaning "snug" if I remember from school correctly? A Gaelic transliteration would be Duadh (pronounced DOO-AY).

ATWOOD: Anglo-Saxon, meaning one who lived at the woods. "Ag an Choille" would be a rough Gaelic translation. Not very pretty looking! Sorry!

[slohairt]

I have really enjoyed reading these post, I was wondering if you could tell me about my Great Great Grandfather's name which was Guilkey??

GUILKEY: Possibly English, cognitive with Wilky, a diminutive of William? William in French, of course, is Guillaume, and I suspect the Norman version was similar. That could explain the initial "G." A Gaelic translation/transliteration I guess could be Guilcidh (GWILL-KEE), or Mac Guilcidhe, if you prefer a patronymic.

[ccga3359]

Since this thread is back on track perhaps you'll indulge me Slohairt. My last name is Harmsworth. Can you get any more English?

[Big Paul]

How about Murray?

[wsk]

This is a brilliant thread! Careful or we'll grind you down. But, hoping that I get in before that happens, my mother's maiden name is Scotten. Rumor has it that her father's family came from the North of England and that the name Scotten means "of the Scots." Can you confirm or deny?

[slohairt]

Since this thread is back on track perhaps you'll indulge me Slohairt. My last name is Harmsworth. Can you get any more English?

Dia Dhuit, ccga3359

Sure, I'll indulge you, though there isn't much I can do with such a Sasanach name like that!

However, I did amuse myself by translating your signature:

Grannt
An Taoiseach
Clann Mhic Bhaencéir

P.S. I noticed in a different post a little while ago that you referred to the great Irish kilt inventor Tomás Mac Ráilin. Top drawer, old boy!
:

[slohairt]

How about Murray?

Dia Dhuit, A Phóil Móir

MURRAY: You're joking, right? I think I covered this one awhile ago. Anyway, here's a refresher:

Murray can be an anglicised form from a variety of names: Mòireibh (pronounced MORE-AY, meaning ?); Mòireach/Mac Mòirich (pronounced MOR-yAKH/MAC MORE-EE) meaning "son of the great one" or Mac Murchaidh (pronounced MAC MURKH-EE), meaning "son of the sea warrior."

[slohairt]

This is a brilliant thread! Careful or we'll grind you down. But, hoping that I get in before that happens, my mother's maiden name is Scotten. Rumor has it that her father's family came from the North of England and that the name Scotten means "of the Scots." Can you confirm or deny?

Dia Dhuit, wsk,

SCOTTEN: Sounds probable, if the "en" corresponds to the more modern English "an" denoting a nationality (i.e. Mexican). A Gaelic translation would be Mac an Albanaich (pronounced MAC AN AL-u-BAN-EE) meaning "son of the Scot."

[MacSimoin]

Seán,

It's refreshing to read an interesting and informative topic such as this. I don't suppose you could allow me a confirmation (or correction) on the following?

Sara Róisín Fitzsimmons = Saráid Róisín Mhac Síomóin

This is the name of my 6-week old daughter and also the reason why I haven't been around.

Sláinte.