Namesakes

[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

[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

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

...If Clan Ross accept you as a member then that is between you and them; it is no one else's business...more importantly 'No One Cares'...None of their business...If you are happy to be in Clan Ross, that is your lineage and association. Clan is another word for family...
Chas

Right on!

[ziggy]

This clearly can get very complicated....

[Stratherrick]

If you want to check out the distribution of surnames, here's a good site:

http://www.nationaltrustnames.org.uk/Surnames.aspx

Sure enough, Andrews is as English as they come!

Slainte

Bruce

[Am Bàrd]

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.

[long_hand]

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

[sanddog28]

ith:

[sanddog28]

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

*** on the confusion, to look at just my grandparents it appears the family is English and Danish but one more generation from there and each of my great grandmothers are Scottish... The new world was like a blender of families and heritage, so if your confident of your research and your family wear your kilt with all the pride it deserves...

[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