ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 1490 http://www.s-gabriel.org/1490 ************************************ From: "S Friedemann" 3 May 1999 Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel! You wrote to us on behalf of your husband, who is interested in a Scottish persona and would like to know whether the Irish name is appropriate. Throughout the Middle Ages, there was a great deal of diversity and change in the languages spoken in Scotland. Gaelic, the same language spoken in Ireland, was the dominant language up to the 11th century and remained in use to the end of our period. Settlers brought other languages to Scotland by the 13th century: Old English in the southeast, Old Norse in the north and western isles, and Norman French mostly in the south. In the 14th century, the languages of the Lowlands evolved into Scots, a close relative of contemporary English. Names were formed quite differently in these various languages, and some of the styles of naming changed substantially. In order to choose an authentic name, you'll need to narrow down your choice of time and place, culture and language. Various forms of were used in Scotland in both Gaelic and Scots, with the most common Gaelic form being . appears to be a specifically Irish development, and one that we have not found in Scotland. If it was used in Scotland, it would have been as an Irish import. We therefore recommend your husband not use unless he wants his persona to be an Irish immigrant to Scotland. (The slash represents an accent over the previous letter). [1,2] We hope this has been helpful, and that we can continue to assist you. Arval Benicoeur, Talan Gwynek, Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn, and Effrick neyn Kennyeoch contributed to this letter. In service, --Walraven van Nijmegen & Aryanhwy merch Catmael Academy of S. Gabriel, May 3, 1999 ------ References: [1] O/ Corra/in, Donnchadh and Fidelma Maguire, _Irish Names_ (Dublin: The Lilliput Press, 1990). s.nn. Seaan, Eoin