ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 1937 http://www.s-gabriel.org/1937 ************************************ From: "Braddon Giles" 7 Feb 2000 Greetings from the Academy of St. Gabriel! You wrote to us concerning the surname or , hoping that it would be historically accurate for the Lowlands of Scotland in the late 1500's. Previously you received our report number 1804, where we suggested that the given name would be ideal for your requirements [1]. The surname is found as far back as 1272 as , from Aberdeenshire. We have found these forms of in the 16th century: 1589, 1505, 1537 [2], and 1550 [3]. You should note that the pronunciation of at this time is with two syllables - \FOR-b@ss\, where the \@\ represents a schwa, the first vowel sound in \about\. In summary, the first name with any of the documented spellings of would be an excellent choice for your time and place. For example , , or . We hope this letter has been useful. Please write to 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 Aryanhwy merch Catmael, Maridonna Benvenuti, Arval d'Espas Nord, Adelaide de Beaumont, Margaret Makafee and Effrick neyn Kenyeoch vc Ralte. For the Academy, Giles Leabrook. 07 / Feb / 2000 ________________________________________ Bibliography. [1] Academy of Saint Gabriel report 1804. http://www.panix.com/~gabriel/public-bin/showfinal.cgi?1804 [2] Black, George F., _The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning and History_, (New York: The New York Public Library, 1986); s.n. Forbes. [3] Bardsley, Charles, _A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames_ (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1980); s.n. Forbes.