Stephen
11-Oct-07, 21:58
The Name Game – There is a great deal of information about the notion that names taken by certain families and given to certain areas hide very deep histories concerning man’s past. I’m going to give you an example. I’m going to use one of my own family names - McKay.
The surname Mackay (McKay, Mackay) is an English equivalent of the Gaelic "MacAoidh" which comes from Mac (son) and Aoidh. The genitive or origin of the proper name Aodh). Aodh was once a popular Celtic name and it is said to be a form of Aed which some scribes translated as "The fiery or impetuous one". STOP! It actually has roots in a more distant past. It is associated with the term the "Islands of the Happy", meaning Ireland and Scotland wherein the remnants of the family of "Aed" (also Ad) were to be found. In Arabic and Celtic folklore and Jewish tradition Ad (Aed) belonged to the family of Abraham and the name actually referred to one who “Kept the Fire”. Consequently the term “Kept the Fire” means someone who “Kept the Truth”. What truth we may never know. Perhaps it is about the Lost Tribes of Israel. Perhaps it is about Alba. Perhaps…
Anyway, with the passing of time, the spelling of "MacAoidh" has taken many forms including Iye, Y, Aytho, MacIye, Makky, Macky, Maky, McKye, McKeye, Mackie, Mackey, McKy, McAy, McCei, MacCay, Mackee, Makgie, Ison, Eason, Easson, and many others. The name MacIsaac is said to be a corruption of MacIye. Interestingly enough the MacKay clan were of the original Clan Morgan.
Anyone up for a whirl at the Name Game with their family name?
The surname Mackay (McKay, Mackay) is an English equivalent of the Gaelic "MacAoidh" which comes from Mac (son) and Aoidh. The genitive or origin of the proper name Aodh). Aodh was once a popular Celtic name and it is said to be a form of Aed which some scribes translated as "The fiery or impetuous one". STOP! It actually has roots in a more distant past. It is associated with the term the "Islands of the Happy", meaning Ireland and Scotland wherein the remnants of the family of "Aed" (also Ad) were to be found. In Arabic and Celtic folklore and Jewish tradition Ad (Aed) belonged to the family of Abraham and the name actually referred to one who “Kept the Fire”. Consequently the term “Kept the Fire” means someone who “Kept the Truth”. What truth we may never know. Perhaps it is about the Lost Tribes of Israel. Perhaps it is about Alba. Perhaps…
Anyway, with the passing of time, the spelling of "MacAoidh" has taken many forms including Iye, Y, Aytho, MacIye, Makky, Macky, Maky, McKye, McKeye, Mackie, Mackey, McKy, McAy, McCei, MacCay, Mackee, Makgie, Ison, Eason, Easson, and many others. The name MacIsaac is said to be a corruption of MacIye. Interestingly enough the MacKay clan were of the original Clan Morgan.
Anyone up for a whirl at the Name Game with their family name?