Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) Names
The idiom of the Scottish Highlanders was a Celtic language of their ancestors, who had settled in Ireland. For centuries English-oriented culture referred to the Scotti as "Irish" and their language derogatorily as Erse. The speakers of this still extent language name it Gàidhlic, or Scot's Gaelic, differentiating it from Irish Gaelic.
For centuries, the naming of individuals was a very informal practice. John, who might have lived in a small village or secluded glen, might only refer to himself as John. He would also identify himself by referring to his father, as John son of Gregor, or John MacGregor. If that same reference could be used by another John son of Gregor, he might add Gaelic characteristic word to describe him more specifically. He might be known as John "red haired" son of Gregor. In Gaelic this would be rendered: "Eoin roy mac Griogair."
This was the case with the famous Rob Roy, who was properly named Robert MacGregor, and later Robert Campbell (his mother's maiden name) to satisfy the authorities that he was acknowledging the law of Proscription against all MacGregors.
In order to clarify names that are referenced in the various pages of this study of Siol Alpin, here are a number of common "descriptive names" that will be encountered. Note that spellings vary widely over time, and this list is by no means comprehensive.
Descriptive Gaelic words & their characteristic indication:
roy, ruadh red hair or complexion
dhu, dubh, dow dark, black hair or eyes
oig, og young, the younger, junior
mòr, more, mhor, voir great, large, elder, senior
glas, glass grey, pale
breach, bereicht freckled
ban, bane, bayne, bain fair, blonde
geal, gheal white
ciar, chiar swarthy, dusky, tawny
beg, beck little, small, the younger
maol, moill, moyl bald, or dull
cam, cham squint-eyed, one-eyed
canmore, kenmore big-headed, great head/chief
raueach, rewych grizzled
ladosach wealthy
odhar, our sallow, dun-colored
gorme blue, blue-green
dallach glaring
Family or Clan Names:
Modern Anciently Meaning
MacNab an abba son of the abbot
MacKinnon Fhionghuin son of Fingon
MacQuarrie Guarie son of the noble one
MacAulay Amhlaidh son of Aulay
MacFie duibhsith son of dark man of peace
MacIntyre an t-saoir son of the carpenter son
MacLeod Leod son of Loyd
MacAlister Alister son of Alexander
MacDuff dubh son of the dark one
MacPherson pherson son of the parson
Campbell cam beul crooked mouth
Grant Grannd (possibly) gritty, rough, large
For centuries, the naming of individuals was a very informal practice. John, who might have lived in a small village or secluded glen, might only refer to himself as John. He would also identify himself by referring to his father, as John son of Gregor, or John MacGregor. If that same reference could be used by another John son of Gregor, he might add Gaelic characteristic word to describe him more specifically. He might be known as John "red haired" son of Gregor. In Gaelic this would be rendered: "Eoin roy mac Griogair."
This was the case with the famous Rob Roy, who was properly named Robert MacGregor, and later Robert Campbell (his mother's maiden name) to satisfy the authorities that he was acknowledging the law of Proscription against all MacGregors.
In order to clarify names that are referenced in the various pages of this study of Siol Alpin, here are a number of common "descriptive names" that will be encountered. Note that spellings vary widely over time, and this list is by no means comprehensive.
Descriptive Gaelic words & their characteristic indication:
roy, ruadh red hair or complexion
dhu, dubh, dow dark, black hair or eyes
oig, og young, the younger, junior
mòr, more, mhor, voir great, large, elder, senior
glas, glass grey, pale
breach, bereicht freckled
ban, bane, bayne, bain fair, blonde
geal, gheal white
ciar, chiar swarthy, dusky, tawny
beg, beck little, small, the younger
maol, moill, moyl bald, or dull
cam, cham squint-eyed, one-eyed
canmore, kenmore big-headed, great head/chief
raueach, rewych grizzled
ladosach wealthy
odhar, our sallow, dun-colored
gorme blue, blue-green
dallach glaring
Family or Clan Names:
Modern Anciently Meaning
MacNab an abba son of the abbot
MacKinnon Fhionghuin son of Fingon
MacQuarrie Guarie son of the noble one
MacAulay Amhlaidh son of Aulay
MacFie duibhsith son of dark man of peace
MacIntyre an t-saoir son of the carpenter son
MacLeod Leod son of Loyd
MacAlister Alister son of Alexander
MacDuff dubh son of the dark one
MacPherson pherson son of the parson
Campbell cam beul crooked mouth
Grant Grannd (possibly) gritty, rough, large
Gregor Giric Griogair watchful one
Sìol Alpin Siol of the seed, race, family
Mac An t-Saoir,
Mac An t-Saoir, Mac An t-Saoir, cent by This
Sìol Alpin Siol of the seed, race, family
Mac An t-Saoir,
Mac An t-Saoir, Mac An t-Saoir, cent by This