ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 3309 http://www.s-gabriel.org/3309 ************************************ 14 Apr 2007 From: Aryanhwy merch Catmael Greetings from the Academy of S. Gabriel! You wanted to know if the masculine name was adopted into Scottish Gaelic any time in the 12th to 14th centuries. If it was, you said you wanted to use it in a patronymic byname with the given name . (Here we're using the / to represent an acute accent over the previous letter.) You said you'd found both and as possible Gaelic forms. Here is what we have found. As we've noted before, the feminine name can be found in 12th-century Scottish Gaelic records, so it's a fine choice for your given name. [1] The Gaelic form of is . first came into use in English in the thirteenth century, though it wasn't common until later, and we have not found any evidence that the name was adopted by the Scottish or Irish Gaels before modern times. [2,3,4] Both and appear to be modern adaptations of ; we haven't found any examples of either form in pre-1600 records. Based on this, we therefore have to recommend that you pick a different name for your father. We hope that this letter has been useful to you and that you won't hesitate to write us again if any part was unclear or if you have further questions. Research and commentary on this letter was provided by Mari neyn Brian, Eleyne de Comnocke, and Talan Gwynek. For the Academy, -Aryanhwy merch Catmael, 14 April 2007 -- References: [1] Academy of S. Gabriel Report #2702 http://www.s-gabriel.org/2702 [2] O/ Corra/in, Donnchadh and Fidelma Maguire, _Irish Names_ (Dublin: The Lilliput Press, 1990), s.n. Proinnsias. [3] Black, George F., _The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning and History_, (New York: The New York Public Library, 1986), s.n. Francis. [4] Reaney, P. H., & R. M. Wilson, _A Dictionary of English Surnames_ (London: Routledge, 1991; Oxford University Press, 1995), s.n. Frances.