Page:Alexander Macbain - An Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language.djvu/470

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402
ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY

ecclesiastical name from the third century onward (cf. Gr. yprjyoptu), be watchful, Eng. care). Hence M'Griogair, Mac- gregor, Gregory.

Gunn, G. Guinne, Gunnach, early documents Gun (1601), Clan- gwn (1525), in Kildonan of Sutherland, originally from Caithness ; from the Norse Gunni (twelfth century), the name then of a son of Olaf, a Caithness chief (Ork. Saga). This Gunni is a short or "pet" form of some longer name of two stems, with gunn-r, war, as the first and chief one (cf. Gann-arr, which is an old Orkney name, Gunn-bjorn, Gunn- laugr, Gunn-dljr, war-wolf, Gunn-stein, Gunn-valdr).

Harold, G. Harailt, M. Ir. Aralt, from Norse Haraldr (same in roots and origin as Eng. herald). Hence Mac-raild.

Hector, G. Eachunn (Dial. Eachainn), M. G. Eachuinn, g. (M'V.), Eachdhuin, g. (M'V.), Eachdhonn, g. Eachduinn (1467 MS.), Ir. Eachdonn (year 1042): * Eqo-donno-s, "horse lord," like Each-lhighearna of Mac-echern. Of course " Brown-horse " is possible ; cf. Gr. Havdnnros. The phonetics are against *Each-duine, "horse-man," as an explanation.

Henry, G. Eanruig; from 0. Eng. Henric, now Henry, from Germanic Heim-rik, " home-ruler " (Eng. home and ric in bishop-ric, rich). Hence Mackendrick, Henderson.

Hugh, G. 'Uisdean (Huisdean), in Argyle Eoghan, M. G. Huisduinn, which comes from Norse Eysteinn, "J0y(1)-stone." The Dictionaries also give the G. Aodh (see Mackay) as equivalent to Hugh, which is itself from Germanic sources, Teutonic root hug, thought.

James, G. Seumas, M. G. Semus (M'V.) ; from the Eng. James, a modification of Hebrew Jacob.

John, G. Iain, older Eoin, in compounds Seathain, as Mac-Gille- Sheathainn, now M'llleathainn.

Kathel, G. Cathal, M. G. Cathal (M'V.), Ir. Cathal (common from seventh century onwards), 0. W. Catgual : *Katu-valo-s ; see cath, war, and val under Donald. Hence APAll, Mackail.

Kennedy, G. Ceanaideach, Ceanadaidh, Kennedy {Kenedy, John M'Kennedy, fourteenth century) is the family name of the old Earls of Carrick, now represented by the Marquis of Ailsa ; it is a famous Irish name borne by the father of Brian Boru in the tenth century — Ir. Ceinneidigh, E. Ir. Cennetich, gen. ; from ceann, head, and eitigh, ugly : "ugly head." Called also M'Ualraig from Walrick Kennedy (sixteenth century), who first settled in Lochaber : Walrick may be G. Ualgharg confused with Teutonic Vlrick, older Uodalrich, " rich patrimonially."