ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 1792 http://www.s-gabriel.org/1792 ************************************ 7 Oct 1999 From: (Josh Mittleman) Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel! You asked whether is an appropriate name for a late 16th century Irishman. You also asked what means. Here is what we have found. is the correct late-period spelling of a Gaelic name that was relatively uncommon in early medieval Ireland. We're not certain it was used as late as the 16th century. If it were, it would have been pronounced \KAH-ch@r\. \ch\ here represents the soft German sound in , very similar to the initial \hy\ sound in . \@\ represents a schwa, the sound of the in . You might be interested in a similar name that was definitely used in your period: , pronounced \KAH-heer\ [1]. The slash in this name represents an accent on the . is an excellent choice for a man's name in your period. In your name, the patronymic should be , pronounced \mahk GILL-@ WHIRR-@\ [2]. (In a woman's name, it would take an extra -- , pronounced \IN-yen YILL-@ WHIRR-@\ -- but not in a man's name.) The etymologies of both and are uncertain [1]. We hope this letter has been useful. Please write us again if any part of it has been unclear or if you have other questions. I was assisted in researching and writing this letter by Talan Gwynek. For the Academy, Arval Benicoeur 7 Oct 1999 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - References [1] O/ Corra/in, Donnchadh and Fidelma Maguire, _Irish Names_ (Dublin: The Lilliput Press, 1990), s.nn. Caicher, Cathai/r. [2] Woulfe, Patrick, _Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames_ (Kansas City: Irish Genealogical Foundation), s.n. mac Giolla Mhuire.