Page:Alexander Macbain - An Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language.djvu/479

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.
OF THE GAELIC LANGUAGE.
411

fame, praise, and berht, bright, now bright, " bright fame." Hence Robertsons ( = Clann Donnchaidh), Mac-robbie.

Roderick, Rory, G. Ruairidh, M. G. Ruaidri (1467 MS.), 0. G. Ruadri, Ir. Ruaidhri, gen. Ruadrach (Annals at 779, 814), 0. Ir. Ruadri, E. W. Rotri, Rodri ; from ruadh, red, and the root of righ, king 1 The Teutonic Roderick means " Famed- ruler" (from hrotS and rik, the same root as G. righ). The terminal -ri, -reck (old gen.) is a reduced form of righ, king (Zimmer, who, however, regards Ruadri as from N. Brorehr, but this in Galloway actually gives Rerik, M^Rerik, M l Crerik, 1490, 1579, thus disproving Zimmer's view). M'Cririck still exists.

Ross, G. Rosach, Ros ; from the County name Ross, so named from ros, promontory.

Roy, G. Ruadh, red. Hence Mac-inroy, earlier Makaneroy (1555), for M'lain Ruaidh, Red John's son.

Samuel, G. Samuel, Somhairle. The latter raally is Somerled, M. G. Somuirle (M'V.), Somairli (1467 MS.) ; from Norse Sumarli&i, which means a mariner, viking, " summer sailor," from sumar and li&i, a follower, sailor.

Shaw, G. Seaghdh, Englished as Seth; evidently formerly Si'ach or Se'ach, Schiach M'Keich, Weem in 1637 ( = Shaw M'Shaw), Jo. Scheach, Inverness in 1451, Jo. and Tho. Scheoch, king's "cursors" 1455-1462, Sythach Macmallon in Badenoch in 1224-33, Ferchar filius Seth there in 1234, M'Sithig in B. of Deer : *Sithech, M. Ir. sidhach, wolf. The female name Sitheag was common in the Highlands in the 17th century (Shiak, Shihag). The Southern Shaws — of Ayrshire and Greenock — are from De Schaw (1296), from Sc. and Eng. shaw, shaws ; the southern name influenced the northern in spelling and pronunciation. In Argyle, the Shaws are called Clann Mhic-ghile- Sheathanaich.

Simon, G. Sim. This is the Lovat personal name ; hence M'Shimidh, Simmie's son, the name by which the Lovat family is patronymically known. Hence in Eng. Sime, Mac- kimmie, M i Kim, Simpson, etc.

Somerled ; see Samuel.

Sutherland, G. Suthurlanach ; from the county name.

Taggart; see Mac-taggart.

Thomas, G. T6mas, Tamhus (M'F.), M. G. Tamas (1467 MS.). Hence Mac-tavish, M ac-combie.

Tokquil, G. Torcull (Torcall) ; from Norse Thorkell, a shorter form of Thorketill, which see under Mac-corquodale.

Whyte, G. M'lllebhain ; son of the fair gille. See Bain above.