A Major Life event!
If you have searched for 'Celtic baby names' then "Congratulations" must be in order. Whether you are the mother or father of a new baby, a member of the family or a close friend you are sharing in a major life event and taking a serious interest in choosing a special babyname from one of the
many Celtic babynames that are available.
This page is crammed with information
about the Celtic genre. the origins of Celtic baby names,
first name and surnames.
We
have provided a selection of over 1,000
Celtic Baby name's to choose from! Still
unsure? Then check out over 50,000
others available via the
Index. Click the following links to access:
Celtic Baby Names
- Info requested by our visitors
In their search for this particular Celtic
category people become interested in researching their own surname or
family and First Name. We have therefore included this
information to meet the requests of our visitors.
Celtic Surnames
Celtic
Surnames
Celtic is
the language of the Celts. The remains of the old Celtic language are found in the
Scottish (also referred to as Gaelic), Irish (also known a the Erse), the Manx, Cornish
and the Welsh dialects. A name sometimes given to that dialect of the
Celtic which is spoken in the Highlands of
Scotland is called, by the Highlanders, Gaelic. Celtic surnames and
their derivatives are detailed under the following sections
about Scottish
surnames, Welsh surnames and Irish surnames.
Celtic
Surnames - Scottish
Scottish
surnames divide into two categories. Scottish surnames from the
highlands and Scottish surnames from the lowlands of Scotland.
The Scottish Gaelic surnames from the highlands were heavily
influenced by the Clans. Highlanders gave their allegiance to
Clans and adopted the surname used by that clan. These surnames
included names like Mackintosh, Macgregor, Maclachlan, Macdonnell, Macdonald, Macduff,
Buchanan, Drummond, Munro, Campbell, Stewart, Cameron and Ross. Scottish
surnames from the lowlands of Scotland tended to be influenced
by English surnames. Many Scottish surnames such as Stewart,
Cameron and Ross
are now commonly used as a First or middle name.
Celtic
Surnames - Welsh
Welsh Surnames -It has been estimated that about nine-tenths of the Welsh population answer to a total of just one hundred
surnames.
Examples of Welsh surnames are Bennett, Beynon, Davis, Ellis, Evans,
Griffiths, Jones, Lewis, Llewelyn, Lloyd, Owen, Pritchard, Pugh,
Powell, Price, Meredith, Thomas, Trewent, Yorath and Williams.
Welsh surnames make use of patronymics as opposed to fixed surnames.
Patronymics are of , relating to, or derived from the name of one's father or a paternal ancestor.
The Welsh patronymics surnames system used the prefixes ab or ap (meaning son of)
such as ap Rhys (for son of Rhys) or ab Owen (for son of Owen).
This lead to many Welsh surnames beginning with the letters B
and P. The letter A was dropped from ap and ab. The name ap
Howell was thus shortened to Phowell and gradually this then
lead to the surname Powell.
Bowen
from 'ab Owen' son of Owen
Price
from 'ap Rhys' for son of Rhys
Pritchard from
'ap Richard' son of Richard
Celtic
Surnames - Irish
Surnames
The oldest surname recorded anywhere in
Europe can be found in Irish historical records dating back to
the year 916. According to Friar Woulfe, an authority on Irish surnames, the first recorded fixed surname is O'Clery (Ó
Cleirigh) detailing the death of Tigherneach Ua Cleirigh, lord of Aidhne in
County Galway.
Patronymics are of , relating to, or derived from the name of one's father or a paternal
ancestor and this system of naming people played a part in the
meanings and origins of Irish surnames. The term 'Ua', as in the
above Irish surname Tigherneach Ua Cleirigh, was an early form
of "O" meaning grandson (Tigherneach was therefore the
grandson of Cleirigh). The prefix "Mac", meaning son of, was
also used in Irish surnames, although this name was not
always hereditary and could change according to a given name.
Fitz was also a similar prefix used (also
meaning son of).
Ancient
Irish Celtic Surnames
The oldest Irish surnames were taken from occupations, tribal
customs and traditions and from pre-Christian Gods. Unlike English surnames, very
few Irish surnames were derived from locations. Irish surnames
tended to reflect ancestors or important historical
figures.
The
Church & Irish Celtic Surnames
The influence of the Christian church from the 10th century then
played a role in the origins and meanings of Irish surnames and
these have survived the test of time. Irish surnames beginning
with 'Kil' or 'Gil' derive from the Irish word 'Giolla', meaning
follower or devotee. Irish surnames beginning with 'Mul' derive
from the Irish word Maol meaning bald (this referred to the
tonsure of monks)
Celtic
First Names
The
Importance of a Celtic First Name! We respond to our
names throughout our lives. People associate
us with our first name, it forms part of our identity. They help to distinguish us from one to another. Other
people gain immediate and sometimes totally subconscious views
of people, just from hearing a name they can
therefore give us a distinct advantage in life, or conversely, a
disadvantage! The choice of an Celtic Baby name is, therefore, incredibly important.
And those of us who choose a baby's name are taking on
a responsible task!
The
Origins of Celtic baby names The origins of Celtic baby names include
those related to places, mythology and history, origins
are sometimes derived from colours, plants and
other types of nature, fictional origins, historical origins, characteristic
and religious origins. We then move on to the specific Celtic
category which can be classed as Clan names, Descriptive, Place, Speciality and finally unique (or created
names).
Questions
about Celtic baby names!
At one time or
another most of us have posed some the following questions about
our own names...
What
does my name mean?
Why did my
parents choose the name?
Are there
any strong family connections to my name?
Where did
my name originate?
Why was I
given such a popular name?
Why was I
given such an unusual name?
What Celtic
baby name shall I give to my baby?
Will the traditional Celtic baby
name suit my
baby? Will it be appropriate throughout a full life cycle starting with baby - toddler - school child - teenager - young adults - parents - middle age - retirement and
ending with old age. Will it suit a pensioner as well as a baby? Will the schoolchild be teased
mercilessly about a name? What will your baby think of your choice?
Help
is at hand when making a choice from Celtic baby names! The various sections included in www. babynames.
org. uk accessed
via the Site Map will provide answers
to all of your questions regarding the choice of a first name.
And our exclusive Name Evaluator
will help you avoid any of the many pitfalls!
Want
to know more?
Further
information about surnames and Genealogy can be found by
clicking the following links:
