Namesakes

[BoldHighlander]

Well said sir!

Hey, good topic. I myself have an English name - Lethbridge, but I have more Scottish ancestry than anything else! My mother's tree is almost completely Scot, and my father's has a share as well.

It does occasionally vex me when someone says 'Oh, you're Scottish?' (meaning family-wise) and I reply 'Yes, but stuck with an English name' - because I always get 'that' look.

I try not to let it bother me though - both my parents are pipers, I grew up sporting a kilt and marching with a pipe band. I learned side snare and am learning the pipes. I have a very basic grasp of Gaelic (and getting better all the time), practice Scottish swordsmanship and enjoy the foods (and drinks!) of my ancestral homeland. Am I Scottish? Maybe I wasn't born there, and maybe I try too hard at times, but yes, I like to think I am.

So anyone who wants to deny me because of a name isn't worth my time, nor should they be worth yours. You are who you are.

[Kilted Sapper]

Thanks to everyones input but can anyone tell me the way to say your lineage? Jock Scot, can u help me out on this? I just dont want to be that one athlete with a dutch name competing in the games and everyone snicker when they announce my surname for Clan Ross?

[Jock Scot]

Thanks to everyones input but can anyone tell me the way to say your lineage? Jock Scot, can u help me out on this? I just dont want to be that one athlete with a dutch name competing in the games and everyone snicker when they announce my surname for Clan Ross?

Well alright let's get real! You have the name you have got(sorry I can't recall it) and it is a Dutch sounding one. This happens with all sorts of non Scottish names all over the world,even in Scotland, when people are competing in Highland games events. Nothing unusual there. OK, you want to represent Clan Ross ,it could be any clan, but Clan Ross is yours, so it would be perfectly proper to be announced as Mr Dutchman of Clan Ross.The "of" allows a great deal of leeway! You don't need to bring along your pedigree, you know!

The ignorant may well snicker, those that know a bit would go "oh right there must be a connection somewhere" those that know more than a bit would go "oh I expect his mother was a Ross", in all honesty I doubt that any one will take any notice. Does it really matter? Probably to you at the moment, yes! In fact, just get on and enjoy yourself and while you are doing it just take note of the many non Scots names that are tossing the caber, or whatever! I guarantee, you will not be alone! Have fun!

[macwilkin]

Thanks to everyones input but can anyone tell me the way to say your lineage? Jock Scot, can u help me out on this? I just dont want to be that one athlete with a dutch name competing in the games and everyone snicker when they announce my surname for Clan Ross?

The Netherlands & Scotland have some long-standing connections. Besides the aforememtioned Dutch friendship tartan, the Clan Mackay has some very strong ties to the Netherlands, which first began during the Thirty Years War when the MacKays provided mercenaries for the Protestants in the Low Countries. Later, Baron Aeneas Mackay was the prime minister of the Netherlands during the 19th century.

Regards,

Todd

[BoldHighlander]

The Netherlands & Scotland have some long-standing connections. Besides the aforememtioned Dutch friendship tartan, the Clan Mackay has some very strong ties to the Netherlands, which first began during the Thirty Years War when the MacKays provided mercenaries for the Protestants in the Low Countries. Later, Baron Aeneas Mackay was the prime minister of the Netherlands during the 19th century.

Regards,

Todd

And lets not forget that after the 9th Lord Reay, 23rd Chief of Mackay died without issue, the title passed to Baron Aeneas Mackay, whom became the 10th Lord Reay, 24th Chief of Mackay in 1875. The full title of the present Chief of Mackay is the Right Honorable Sir Hugh William Mackay, 14th Lord Reay, Baronet of Nova Scotia, Baron Mackay of Ophermert, Holland.

Kilted Sapper: don't get too stressed about the name thing. I'm a Holmes & as far as I know they were English. Do I wish I had a Scottish or Irish surname at times? Sure, but I can trace my ancestry to various Highland Scots & Irish families, and I carry their blood, heritage/legacy, & (in some cases) wear their tartan with pride & honor, and NO man can take that from me!
Wear it well my friend & don't give a hang what others may (or more likely) maynot think

[macwilkin]

And lets not forget that after the 9th Lord Reay, 23rd Chief of Mackay died without issue, the title passed to Baron Aeneas Mackay, whom became the 10th Lord Reay, 24th Chief of Mackay in 1875. The full title of the present Chief of Mackay is the Right Honorable Sir Hugh William Mackay, 14th Lord Reay, Baronet of Nova Scotia, Baron Mackay of Ophermert, Holland.

Kilted Sapper: don't get too stressed about the name thing. I'm a Holmes & as far as I know they were English. Do I wish I had a Scottish or Irish surname at times? Sure, but I can trace my ancestry to various Highland Scots & Irish families, and I carry their blood, heritage/legacy, & (in some cases) wear their tartan with pride & honor, and NO man can take that from me!
Wear it well my friend & don't give a hang what others may (or more likely) maynot think

And another Dutch Mackay, Hugo Mackay, served as a captain of a submarine in the Royal Netherlands Navy in the Second World War.

T.

[Kilted Sapper]

Gilmore in your ramblings you sound as an intelligent gent but to disgrace a Clan idealogy is absurd! Everything is built on a Clan system, being a 23 yr veteran and a 2 time combat vet, everything revolves around clans. Be them Scottish or the Marines, Army or whomever and I take traditions very serious, I don't wear my combat medals because they are pretty colors. I wear them because I have earned them and fought with my clansmen to get them. I am not doing this to be able to pat myself on the back but to carry on a name that I believe is my past. By the way the comment "the past is the past" irks me because there are a lot of traditions brought forth from the military that holds just as much water today as it did back then.

SORRY, off my soap opera now!

[Kilted Sapper]

Thanks Jock and to you also Chas, I am enlightened and now I just need to work on that damn caber....12 oclock, 12 oclock, 12 oclock or something to that nature, Thanks again!

[dfmacliam]

Names are not always telling of ones Heritage..my grandfather was a Farmer.. not a real Irish sounding name... but he was Irish, as well as all of those before him... as stated by others.. people moved around... and alot of cross culture exchanges have happened.. I would say... be who you are... wear your tartan... and if someone asks about it... its your mothers family... no big deal... no need to make more out of it, than whats really there.. people do not challenge your right to wear any kilt... and if your tossing a caber... they will be less likely to challenge you... LOL

[long_hand]

I know what you mean. My surname is Rowland which is an English name derived from Normans but coming from Ayrshire...what?! ;-)