Academy of Saint Gabriel Report 300

Academy of Saint Gabriel Report 300

This report is available at http://www.s-gabriel.org/300

Some of the Academy's early reports contain errors that we haven't yet corrected. Please use it with caution.

Greetings,

Here's the information we found on the name "Shamus."

"'Shamus' is a modern English spelling of the Irish name 'Séamus', which is itself a borrowing of the English 'James'." (In the 13th century, "James" was pronounced with two syllables and the "J" had an "sh" or "zh" sound, as in French. Thus "Séamus" and "James" were originally two ways of expressing the same pronunciation of the same name). The name "James" was just becoming popular in the 13th century, and we're not sure that it was actually used in Ireland. However, it would definitely appropriate for a 14th-century persona. (1)

Tangwystl verch Morgant Glasvryn researched this letter.

We hope this has been helpful, and that we can continue to assist you.

In service,
Alan Fairfax
Academy of S. Gabriel

(1) O'Corrain & Maguire, "Irish Names."