ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 2095 http://www.s-gabriel.org/2095 ************************************ 28 Jul 2000 Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel! You asked for our opinion of as a Gaelic name sometime between 900 and 1400 AD (where the indicates an accent on the preceding letter), which you believe to be a Gaelic form of . Here is what we found. was originally an English surname which was introduced to Ireland. It appears to have been used as a given name only in modern times.[1], [2] The similar sounding is a name from Welsh mythology, which similarly appears to have been used as a given name only in modern times. [3] The Gaelic surname gives the appearance of having been derived from a given name , but in fact it comes from the early given name . We can find no evidence that was ever used as a given name. seems to have dropped out of use quite early, but it would be a fine choice for the first part of your period. [4], [5] At some point, the two English names and came to be associated with the Irish surname . We don't know when that happened, but we believe it was also in modern times. (earlier ) was a given name that was very common in early medieval Ireland. [4] The form (before 1200 or so) or (after 1200) was used to mean 'someone descended from Lorccan.' [5] In summary, , pronounced \DAHL-lahn oo@ LORK-kahn~\, would be a fine name for a Gaelic speaking man for the first part of your period.[6] I 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 and Arval Benicoeur. For the Academy, Juliana de Luna 27 July 2000 --------------------------------------------------- References [1] Reaney, P. H., & R. M. Wilson, _A Dictionary of English Surnames_ (London: Routledge, 1991; Oxford University Press, 1995), s.n. Dillon. [2] MacLysaght, Edward, _The Surnames of Ireland_ (Dublin: Irish Academic Press Ltd., 1985, ISBN 0-7165-2366-3), s.n. Dillon. [3] Dunkling, Leslie and William Gosling, _The New American Dictionary of First Names_ (New York: Signet Books, 1983), s.nn. Dylan, Dillon. [4] Woulfe, Patrick, _Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames_ (Kansas City: Irish Genealogical Foundation), s.n. O/ Duillea/in, O/ Lorca/in [5] O/ Corra/in, Donnchadh and Fidelma Maguire, _Irish Names_ (Dublin: The Lilliput Press, 1990), s.n. Dallan, Lorccan. [6] The \@\ is a schwa, the sound of 'a' in 'sofa; the \n~\ is the sound of 'ny' in .