De-Anglicisation of Names

**Downix** · 29th November 08, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by slohairt

In Ireland, the surname Down(e)(s) can be an Anglicisation of Ó Duinn, which means 'descendant of Donn'. Donn is the Irish word for 'brown'. On rare occasions, it is an Anglicisation of Ó Dubháin, meaning 'descendant of Dubhán', a personal name meaning 'little dark one'.

cool to hear. Now to figure out of the Noah that was his father was the one that was decended from James (from Ireland) or Thomas (from England).

**Windwalker** · 30th November 08, 04:00 PM

I've looked through the thread, did not see either one, so care to have a go at Barbour (fathers) or Kirk (mothers)? Thanks!

**slohairt** · 30th November 08, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by Windwalker

I've looked through the thread, did not see either one, so care to have a go at Barbour (fathers) or Kirk (mothers)? Thanks!

BARBOUR Occupational, from Middle English barbour, meaning...barber! Of course in those days barbers did all sorts of things beside cutting hair! The spelling 'Barbour' seems to be almost exclusively Scottish.

KIRK Multiple unrelated origins. It could be a Scottish locational name, as kirk is the Scots word for 'church'. Kirk is also an Anglicisation of the Irish Ó Cuirc.

**Windwalker** · 1st December 08, 12:20 AM

Thanks for the info, just one more if you get the chance, Carson.

**FreakPower70** · 1st December 08, 01:03 AM

I will bite, my father is Owens and mothers is Nevins

**slohairt** · 2nd December 08, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by Windwalker

Thanks for the info, just one more if you get the chance, Carson.

CARSON Unknown etymological origin. 13th Century record list it as 'de Carsan', so one could presume that it is territorial. The first syllable 'car' is present in a number of place names in the Scottish Lowlands. It is usually derived from the Brythonic caer meaning 'fort'.

**slohairt** · 2nd December 08, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by FreakPower70

I will bite, my father is Owens and mothers is Nevins

OWENS Usually Welsh, from Ap Owain meaning 'son of Owain'.

NEVINS I believe this to be the same name as Nivens. These names is Anglicised from Mac Naoimhin (MAC NEEV-IN) or Mac Naomhain (MAC NAEV-IN) which mean 'son of Naomhan (little saint)'.

**Jaem** · 23rd December 08, 06:43 PM

Nice work! Perhaps you could give your opinion on the name McAbee? Would it be a variation on McPhee or something else? Thanks for all your work on this thread!