Behind Surnames of Relationship: English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish examples

#surnames #familysearch #genealogysearch = Behind Surnames of Relationship: English, Scottish, Welsh & Irish examples. We explore various types of Surnames of Relationship; and the most popular surnames in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. All such names from Wilson, McKay, Jones, O’Brien and many more, including clan and servant names adopted through loyalty.
Take a journey through surnames from different countries with professional genealogist George English and visit all corners of the United Kingdom.
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[@franciscoprazzio225prazzio]

I first watched this video, When i found out i have Scottish, and Welsh ancestry, My ancestry is mostly is Irish with small amounts of English Scottish Northern Irish, and Welsh on my paternal side.

[@celticisraelite1231]

Most of my ancestors hailed from Ireland, mostly west Ireland, but 2 hailed from Scotland and England These are their sir names: OConnor/Baker/Conroy/Milton/ Marren/Hart/Campbell/Austin/ Morris/Gallagher/Feely/Kane/ Murtha/Haney/Calan/McClusky/ I dream of returning to my ancestral land some day

[@ritacummings2310]

Thanks . Research research research ! ! Interesting.

[@Jackson-if4re]

Very interesting video, my family’s surname is Cowan, my great grandfather and great grandmother both migrated from Scotland in the late 1800’s. I have found a connection with that name to clan colquhoun from the low lands of Scotland

[@georgeenglish8482]

Hello Jackson. Cowan is neither a common nor very unusual surname. Most common in the lowland and central counties such as Ayrshire. I'd be happy to research your ancestors for you if you would like. Just send brief details of what you know to me at [e-mail]; and I will have a look, for free, and get back to you with the options and costs that I recommend. George

[@wardscott2302]

Interesting.

[@angeliachick1002]

Amazing to learn my roots. Johnson and more 😁😁😁

[@geraldwilson681]

American man here with the last name of Wilson. Ancestral last names on both parent's sides are: Bennett, Nye, O'Brien, Boland.

[@user-nu6gl8io8f]

My mom an O'BRIEN, her grand mother a Mc Caffery, & Williams, my dad mom a Mc Curdy from Isle of Bute

[@user-nu6gl8io8f]

Lots of Bennett s here in the South where we live in America

[@antseanbheanbocht4993]

The Irish Mac Shane is an interesting one in Ireland. They are a family of ten sons of Shane O Neil, also known as Shane an diomas or Shane the proud, king of Ulster. . Their father was killed in 1567 and they went to war to win the title of O Neil for themselves. None gained it but some did get lands in the process. When the confiscations came in tbe 1600s some changed their name from Mac Shane = Son of John to Johnson in ghe English style to keep their lands. There are probably lots of Johnsons in Ulster who think they are of Ulster plantation stock and not realising they are actually related to one of the Greatest O Neil Cheifs.

[@Re-hz4vz]

Can you give me the British family names? ( nickname )

[@antseanbheanbocht4993]

@@Re-hz4vz These are some : Ó Bruic translated Badger, Ó Bruacháin, Banks, Ó Cadhain„Barnacle, Ó Maoilbheannachta„Blessing, Ó Marcaigh„Ryder, Ó Bradáin„Salmon and Fisher, Mac an tSaoir„Carpenter, Freeman Mac Conraoi„King, Mac Conshnámha„Forde, Mac Seáin„Johnson. Mac Gabhan, Macgowan, Smith The translated form sometimes takes an English termination, as: Ó Draighneáin translated Thornton, Ó Gaoithín, Wyndham

[@Re-hz4vz]

@@antseanbheanbocht4993 thank u very much💞+bcuz i want to know more about Uk and their families 😅❤️

[@vickiechandler3112]

I love name origins. Mine is Chandler ..obviously English and i have heard various beginnings mostly being occupational ..ship builder, town crier (variation of candelier --candle lighter , since they went around lighting the candles and making announcements - it makes sense) or woodworker (ties into the ships and making them with wood) .I guess i can pick which profession sounds the coolest.LOL My grandfather on my moms side was a Laird. and there was an offshoot of the family that where Lords ..both names make sense after watching this since his side was from Scotland. HA! maybe i have some property waiting for me somewhere...LOL Now my other half is an enigma. German last name of Warnsing. The most we have ever discovered is that the name had variations one being Wernsing where the Wern meant warrior or protecter I do know a lot of them changed from the WERN to the WARN when coming to the states.. Something about a family feud and not wanting to be associated with each other . There are large groups in the north mid west IL, MO areas that are actually related thru ancestry but have different spellings. We are guessing on the meaning of it tho from looking up a few things. and the only other thing we found is that the SING part was sort of like the son or O' mentioned in the video....like son of the warrior. Any guesses?

[@deelynn9932]

After visiting a shop here in America that said our family had a specific clan and coat of arms, we sent out our DNA, thinking we obvioulsy (?) are Royalty. Alas, even with the dropping or misspelling of names when entering America (LEGALLY), we were told that we could be Irish, Scottish, and/or English with a smidge of other countries. Uh-huh. It was in talking with much older relatives, including in-laws, that we were informed that it was not uncommon for a name, such as O'Brien, O'Glenn, etc., to have the apostrophe dropped, and the 'O' used as a middle initial, or not at all. I've met many other people throughout my lifetime that ran into the same situation, especially Italians and Polish.

[@tiffany123178]

My grandfather was Percy Townson, Great Grandfather was William Townson, can’t find much on the Townson line in Yorkshire area. William Townson married Jennie Bonwell

[@thomasgrice8864]

Your line of reason with the surname Scott is perfect 👌 But the etymology of Scotland means land of the Scotti (Irish) and the name means Irish. Enjoyed your video.

[@robinmooney575]

Vicky it also means to make candles

[@georgeharrington5250]

Hi George, thanks for the video. Anything you can tell me about Harrington?

[@georgeenglish8482]

Hello George (Good name, LOL!) Harrington is a toponymic (place) surname. There were/are villages with that name in Cumberland and Northamptonshire. George

[@mikemorgan9507]

My papaw told me we were Welch. My papaw was a coal miner. My father wasn't, older brother 4 yrs my senior made a career of it for 40 years. The last 10 yrs he was a state mine Inspector. I starte in construction, residential. Found myself in the middle of the recession and 18 percent interested .

[@mikemorgan9507]

I went to the coal mine for 15 yrs. I also continued building my business

[@mikemorgan9507]

I quit the mines. Two younger brothers miners. Traced the Morgan's back to Llellwen Ifor. From there it was Llewen Ifor, Llellwen Ifor Llellwen Ifor ap Morgan. I didn't get the ap part of it until I was listening to you. Thank You, You do an excellent job of trying to make it easy to understand. Very fine job of uncomplicating the language. My mother worked on this 10 yrs before computers came along. Another 10 yrs and died two yrs before I stumbled upon it by accident. First of our Morgan clan came to Salem and Charleston. Thanks again, I'll follow you as long as possible.

[@mikemorgan9507]

Try to keep it short, it's just that we Morgan's like to give

[@labhrais6957]

I was researching Wales and found myself here 😶 I'm not disappointed.

[@georgeenglish8482]

That's good. Thank you. George

[@shirleywaddoups1523]

My maiden name was Milling. A relative did a family tree of the Milling's and found out we had an ancestor called David Milling from Northern Ireland. Apparently born in the 1800's. I don't know anything about David Milling. My dad was born in Felling , Gateshead so I am wondering why David Milling came to England. Can you help with this please ?

[@marshaflorom8401]

Thank you my grandmother was Scottish! Marsha

[@georgeenglish8482]

If you would like us to find out more about her for you, just email brief details to me at [e-mail]. George

[@Re-hz4vz]

Can you give me British family names? ( nickname )

[@georgeenglish8482]

@@Re-hz4vz Hello You need to give more detail. George

[@franciscoprazzio225prazzio]

I have a loads of English surnames in my family tree Farnsworth Ives Martin Fitch Gibbons Hayles Marsh Marshall Axtell Rolfe Needham Samon Bolling Smith Whitgift Benger Pascoe Warby Hawkey Woodward Riding Spry Abrey Webb, and Hubbard.

[@dkdodds8837]

Legend has it ancestors was a monk carrying Saint Cuthbert coffin stole some cheese and was turned into a fox a fox in those days was called tod which morphed into Dodds

[@christopherrobinson9690]

I’m a Robinson. I’m eager to learn what’s what!

[@georgeenglish8482]

Robinson is a surname of relationship - the son of Robert of the diminutive Rob-in. George

[@annette4444]

Hello Mc Caffrey Mc Curdy OBRIEN, Williams here!

[@franciscoprazzio225prazzio]

My Irish ancestors were Crowley Carroll Carrell Costello Farrell Fitzgerald FitzSimons Kelly Killian Mahoney McCarthy O'Neill Nugent Brien Butler, and Walsh.

[@dfling88]

What about the o’Flynn

[@justeden3437]

Anyone know anything about surname Eden? My Grandpa came from Scot-Ireland and sailed to the Caribbeans

[@georgeenglish8482]

Eden is a surname of relationship, 'the son of Ede;, Edon. George

[@deborahrichards2081]

Eggleston from Scotland. Scottish -Irish my grandmother father is from . My grandmother’s husband is Ralph Peters from Wales.

[@georgeenglish8482]

Hello Deborah. Eggleston is a local place name; Peters, a surname of relationship. Not clear if you were born Deborah Eggleston in Scotland? George

[@georgeenglish8482]

Hello Deborah You can watch Research Through People's other videos 'Where does your local/place surname come from?' and 'Find out where surnames originate' to learn more about local place names, and surnames in general. George

[@deborahrichards2081]

Thank you George I appreciate your advice and replying to me.😃

[@theresawrightman3097]

My husband surname comes from Peebeeshire Scotland it is Robbins

[@mimibezuidenhoud1687]

My father Were Henry William Moore

[@owlpoodle355]

Excellent video. My ancestral surname is Pettypool. i have been told that it is a Welch surname. I have also been told that there are no Pettypools' left in England today. The last male came to Virginia as an apprentice around 1700. Many in America today are just known as Pool. Do you know of any Pettypool's in England today?

[@georgeenglish8482]

Hello. Pettypool is not a surname found in England, Wales or other parts of the UK. Which suggests it could be a corruption of another similar surname which took place, particularly in times of illiteracy, after emigration to America. George

[@arthurfyne8908]

@@georgeenglish8482 my surname is FYNE, IS THERE A CLAN CONNECTION TO SCOTTISH OR IRISH?

[@georgeenglish8482]

@@arthurfyne8908 Hello Arthur I suspect Fyne is a toponymic (place) surname after Loch Fyne in Scotland. I doubt if there is any Clan connection, George

[@loftus5073]

Hi, could you please tell me anything about my Surname, Loftus?

[@mustelidpeter]

Loftus is a large village on the Yorkshire coast and along with Lofthouse is a common Yorkshire surname.

[@user-nu6gl8io8f]

O Brien, Mc Caffery & Williams, Mc Curdy here

[@georgeenglish8482]

Hello Annette. All surnames of relationship from Ireland, except Williams from Wales. George

[@gregbox13]

Anyone know anything about the surname Box? I haven’t met or seen anybody with my last name.

[@georgeenglish8482]

Box is a toponymic (place) surname either from Box,' a parish in Wiltshire; or 'at the box,' i.e. box-tree.

[@CherokeeBird]

I traced my ancestry to Scotland. I only remember Stirling Castle. I don't remember a surname, just a title. Monzie? The only first and last name I found was Margaret Ross, and there are painting of her and her family.

[@siarlb8115]

I think the Welsh name Rhys would be a loyalty surname that mutated to Rees and Rice. I have no idea about my surname ‘Bryant’ Surnames are fascinating. What does surprise me is how many common surnames stem from Wales.. Jones, Evans, Davies , Williams etc. I would also point out that many surnames are from slave ownership.

[@georgeenglish8482]

Both Rhys and Bryant (Bryan) are surnames of relationship. In the Surnames of Relationship video, there is a Welsh Surnames slide which explains that they are based on a 10thC patronymic naming system. This means there is a higher proportion of Welsh surnames of relationship than elsewhere. George

[@thomasgrice8864]

Rys/Rhys can be from Fitz Rys (Cambro Norman in Ireland) and Ap Rhys (Wales). It become Rice/Rhys/Price/Rees etc.

[@benjaminpitre4670]

RHYS in welsh, Rees and even worse Rice are English corruptions. Briant from welsh braint (privilege). We also have this name here in Brittany (Briand, Briant, Brient)

[@siarlb8115]

@@benjaminpitre4670 haha , I will take that, you have made my day :) .. #annibyniaeth

[@siarlb8115]

@@benjaminpitre4670 further to your comment, I have been reading “A History of Wales” by John Davies. In the book he says that before the words ‘Cymru’ for the land and ‘Cymry’ for the people the words ‘Brython’ and ‘Brythoniaid’ were used. From this it seems likely that these were the words used by the people moving into what is now Brittany as the Anglo Saxons moved west on the island of Britain. Maybe I should take some time and read Breton history as well.

[@davidbagley1783]

Dad's mom was a Cunningham from Irvine Ayrshire

[@georgeenglish8482]

And Irvine was in the old District of Cunningham, so definitely a toponymic, place surname. Have you looked at our 'Discover your Ayrshire Ancestry' video and blog? Please get in touch if you would like some help researching her ancestry. George

[@nancy-katharynmcgraw2669]

Hello George. Very interesting information! Can you help with surname Doonan? Grandfather's 1st wife:Vera Doonan. She died in childbirth before 1924.. GF's 2nd wife honored him naming my father's first name as Doonan........ they lived in Southern Alabama...

[@nancy-katharynmcgraw2669]

His family name is McGraw, from 3 Scottish brothers MacCrae) that moved to Ireland (McGrath), then landed in Charleston, SC, USA in either 1850 or 1750. I was born in Charleston SC in 1951. Thanks for all help!

[@georgeenglish8482]

Hello Nancy. Doonan is an Irish (from Dúnán) toponymic/place surname - a dweller at a little hill or hill fort. George

[@georgeenglish8482]

@@nancy-katharynmcgraw2669 Vera Doonan was born in 1900 in Stonehouse, Devon in England; and married Francis McGraw in Plymouth in 1921. They emigrated to Alabama later that year, where she died in 1922. George

[@justspittingsomefacts6425]

I'm from Philippines and I don't have any scottish ancestors but when I searched where is my surname comes from (Forbes) then it shows it is originated from Scotland which is weird. Common surnames here are originated from Spain

[@georgeenglish3797]

Hello Forbes is a toponymic (place) surname from the lands of Forbes in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. What you mean is that you DON'T KNOW of any Scottish ancestors! If you'd like some help finding out, let me know. George

[@lindaphanthongphay963]

I would love to know where my surname come from its Thead

[@davidyates1860]

What about Yates I traced my family back to 1793 so far in Wales also Davies

[@georgeenglish8482]

Hello David Yates is usually a toponymic (place) surname 'at the gate'. It can also be a Surname of Relationship, taking an 's' as in Jones, Williams. It was most common in northern England. George

[@arliebattigbattig9726]

Where does Collins originate. I've always thought it was English

[@tommcconville677]

My surname is McConville, Ulster Irish Gaelic with some Scots origin as well. The name might be derived, or assume, the Norman English surname Conville. My grandmother Grace's maiden name was Johnson, and she told me the family, her father and great grandfather changed it from being Johnston originally. My grandfather Allen mother had Allen as her maiden surname. His blood relative, cousin was named Willie Toye, which I believe might have Welsh origins. My grandmother Julia's maiden name was Rassman, originally German. but the surname found in England, Scotland and Ireland also. Her mother's name Mc Keown, Irish. My Grace's husband, our grandfather name was Ernest Radlein which is German.

[@georgeenglish8482]

Hello Tom An interesting mixture! George

[@tommcconville677]

@@georgeenglish8482 Thank you sir. Perhaps we were in the service of O'Neill, the Earl of Tyrone, or King James the second.King Charles 2nd. for that matter.

[@user-nu6gl8io8f]

Last name Williams my great great grand mother

[@bevkern3858]

Moore

[@georgeenglish8482]

Hello Bev. Moore is a toponymic (place) surname from someone living 'at the moor' (or 'heath'). George

[@andiekelly3373]

My mom's paternal side has the surname Cooke. Where is that from?

[@georgeenglish8482]

Cooke is a Surname of Occupation, the 'cook'. You may know that Francis Cooke and his son John were passengers on the Mayflower in 1620. George

[@taffyducks544]

English origin name. Keep an eye out for English origin first names that act as surnames however. Like Edwards. As the Welsh adopted surnames so any Welshman at anytime who's name was Edward would become Edwards(meaning son of) the clue is the s on the end instead of the Son. Like Morris (Welsh) and Morrison (English and Scottish), or Roberts (Welsh) and Robertson.

[@sirjosefofhessen4527]

Anyone know anything further surname Knight on possible regions and meaning thereof as for bloodline

[@georgeenglish8482]

Knight is clearly a surname of Occupation. Because there were knights in many places, it is a fairly common surname, originating throughout England, Wales and many parts of Scotland. George

[@taffyducks544]

Occupation names are difficult as many arose independently from different nations.

[@sirjosefofhessen4527]

@@taffyducks544 so far all i know is that im related to both templar knights and Scottish just have not gotten the dots connected yet

[@irenejohnston6802]

Cniht. OE. Boy, male attendant, servant. Or military rank. eg. Ic, Oswold bisceop, landes sumne dael sumum Cnihte daem Osulf nama, for uncre sybbe, forbear. I bishop Oswald, have given a portion of land to a knight named Osulf, for our kinship.

[@Noah.J.W17]

Did people get told to ad another name at some point lol

[@amouraearising2148]

paternal side walton, maternal side clothier. any insights here?

[@georgeenglish8482]

Walton is a toponymic; clothier, occupational. Please contact info@researchthroughpeople if you'd like to know more.

[@amouraearising2148]

@@georgeenglish8482 thank you!

[@georgeenglish8482]

@@amouraearising2148 Are you in USA?

[@amouraearising2148]

@@georgeenglish8482 yes. i was surprised at my sister's dna results that we are nearly 100% english! our roots must be very deep there...

[@georgeenglish8482]

@@amouraearising2148 Is that your parents who married in Nevada? My ancestor Richard Warren was on the Mayflower in 1620. His descendant/my ancestor Captain Henry Delano came to England in 1785 - we've been here ever since! If you'd like some help researching your English roots, please get in touch at [e-mail].

[@kathcetiner3687]

I'm Newbiggin were is tha from

[@georgeenglish8482]

Newbiggin is a toponymic, place name from parishes near Carlisle or Newcastle. N.b. It could also be a corruption of Newbigging. George

[@tabithathibodeaux3248]

Darroch?

[@uptick888]

What about McClough is it Irish or Scottish? it is my great grandparents and they were in Romania I am thoroughly confused??? Ty♥️♥️♥️ anyone

[@starwarsfannumber]

Similar surnames: Mccullough, Clough, Mcgough, Mcgeough, Mckeough, Mccloughan, Mclouth Scottish clan

[@starwarsfannumber]

Clan MacCulloch is a Lowland Scottish clan. As it no longer has a Clan chief, Clan MacCulloch is an Armigerous clan.

[@bevkern3858]

My mom was a meadows what would that be please

[@georgeenglish8482]

Hello Bev. Meadows is a toponymic (place) surname from 'at the meadow' or 'meadows.' Her ancestors probably lived near meadows - as simple as that. So there are many unrelated people from a wide range of areas who adopted such surnames e.g. Hedges, Hill, Wood, Brooks, Styles, Bridges! George

[@DjMicr0dot]

Osborne? I'm an orphan but know this is my father's lastname. Can't find anything on it,...any idea of origin would be helpful t h x

[@georgeenglish8482]

Osborne is a Surname of Relationship, 'the son of Osbern'. George

[@DjMicr0dot]

@@georgeenglish8482 hey that helps alot thank you very much

[@georgeenglish8482]

@@DjMicr0dot Osborne was found in most parts of England, and in parts of southern Scotland and eastern Wales. George

[@hukkeri5576]

My Welsh ancestors were Winter, Chillcott,Evans and Tovin.

[@georgeenglish8482]

Hello Penny Evans is the only one of these which is obviously Welsh. George

[@hukkeri5576]

@@georgeenglish8482 They have been around in the Somerset area for the last 400 years or so. Winter seems Dutch or German and Tovin Russian. Would they have been Jews originally. Welsh men came by the thousands to India in the 1700s, as did Thomas Winter.

[@user-qk2fp8dz1e]

Last names Holton and Nichols/ Nicoll ?

[@georgeenglish8482]

Hello. Holton is a toponymic (place) surname; while Nichols is a surname of relationship. George English

[@deckspider]

Any ones about the name of kingham?

[@georgeenglish8482]

KIngham is a toponymic (place) surname from the parish of Kingham, Oxfordshire, near Chipping Norton. George

[@utoobia]

What about the surname “Welsh”? Very curious, as it is NOT considered a Welsh name. It seems from most of the reading I’ve done that it is likely a Scottish name, with English, and then Irish being next likely. Anyone know? Or is anyone able to point me in the right direction?

[@georgeenglish8482]

Hello Utoobia. Welsh is a toponymic (place) surname. People were called by what was different about them, in this case, living in a country e.g. Scotland, England different from their homeland of Wales. In the same way, my ancestors from England lived in Ireland, so were called 'English'. George English

[@utoobia]

Thank you. So someone with the surname Welsh ultimately *does* have Welsh genetics, though the name itself is likely Scottish, Irish or English. Interesting. Was there a period in British history where toponymic names were most likely to be given?

[@georgeenglish8482]

@@utoobia Hello The system of the father’s surname being passed down to the children, evolved mostly in the 12th and 13th centuries. George

[@utoobia]

@@georgeenglish8482 Thank you, sir.

[@utoobia]

@@georgeenglish8482 Again, thanks George. What about the practice of using toponymic surnames? That must’ve come to a stop, or a near-stop, at some point in the past 100-200 years in Britain, I’d expect. Do you know?

[@winifredthompson2470]

Does anyone know where my maiden name came from HENNING. I know it is not a common name, I would appreciate it if someone knew the origan of this name. Thank You. Winifred Thompson, Lisburn, Co.Antrim, Northern Ireland.

[@georgeenglish8482]

Found most commonly in Wiltshire and Hampshire in the 16th century. But there are spelling variations. George

[@winifredthompson2470]

@@georgeenglish8482 Thank you. Greetings. Winifred Thompson.

[@benjaminpitre4670]

I don't know, but Thompson is from Gaelic MacThomais (Pronounced Mahc Homish)

[@winifredthompson2470]

@@benjaminpitre4670 Thank you. I really can't find anything out about the name Henning, I was wondering if it was Jewish or something. This seems to be a very rare surname, when my mother first got the telephone in the late fifties there was only 2 other in the phone book here with the name Henning. I appreciate you for replying , also for the information that Thompson is an Irish name. A survey done about 5 years ago, in Dublin University, showed 83.2% of people in Ireland having Jewish blood. Interesting. Greetings from Winifred Thompson, Lisburn, Co.Antrim, Northern Ireland.

[@MonaLisa-lu8zi]

@@winifredthompson2470 Winifred, Have you the link to the Uni survey. I have come upon suggestions that one of the tribes of Israel made their way to Ireland.

[@josephsellarslesacelier2742]

what s" lackland name?

[@georgeenglish8482]

Lackland is a rare name. It probably was a nickname meaning 'landless'.

[@xmoomoo9158]

How about “Mitchell” I’ve heard English and Irish❤️

[@georgeenglish8482]

Mitchell is a Surname of Relationship e.g. the son of Michael. George

[@xmoomoo9158]

@@georgeenglish8482 thanks for answering … I’ve done my DNA and I have both Irish and English. Is it both?

[@beautifulcrazy]

Oh I would love to know where my surname comes from please, Somerset Lundall

[@georgeenglish8482]

Lundall is a rare surname, found most in South Africa. George

[@monza1002000]

Jones in Wales was an English name forced on the family "Ioan" Apparently the Ioan family caused a lot of trouble to the English invaders. Once the English gained control they banned a lot of Welsh family names, replacing them with acceptable English versions

[@anthonyfowler8634]

With the numerous names that are ancestral, Adams thought to be Irish is most likely Welsh. Noyes thought to be French is also Welsh. WE live and learn❤

[@georgeenglish8482]

Adams is a surname of relationship, most commonly found in England. Noyes is rare, with no known Welsh origin. George

[@rogerdavies8586]

I don't think the Welsh surnames are plurals are they? The 's' ending is possessive eg Williams is William's son but it is only one son! Marianne

[@siarlb8115]

That would only work in English.

[@jeuandavidjones]

I have NEVER heard this 'plural' explanation. Welsh patronymic traditions survived a long time in both the native form: ap, ab, (ferch) and in 'translation'. Fixed surnames replaced the patronymic system gradually and patchilly. Evidence of the patronymic system existed in my family at the turn of the 18th -19th century; siblings ending up with 2 different fixed surnames because they moved east into more anglicised parts where most were registered. Welsh names were heavily anglicised in official documents like the parish registers, the 's' being a contraction of 'son' or representing the possessive 's'. In some homes however, they retained the native versions of these names, the anglicised versions of course surviving in the official records.

[@userosara]

My girlfriend's last name (surname) is Johns... so she has a so called surname of relationship? My last name is Deegan, which is Irish and used to be O'Deegan and means "black haired man"... is this a surname of relationship or a nickname surname? Thank you for your video!!

[@georgeenglish8482]

Yes, Johns is relationship, most common in Wales and south west England. Yours, from Gaelic Ó Duibhginn - O = grandson; black head is a nickname. George

[@userosara]

@@georgeenglish8482 Hi, thank you so much for responding and I'd also like you to know I very much enjoy your channel and content!! One more question: so is my name a surname of relationship, namely, a relationship (grandson) to someone by that nickname (Duibhginn)? Or does the relationship have to be more recent or the namesake ancestor have to be more identifiable in order to be a surname of relationship? P.S. I'm an American, please be patient with me!! Hahahahahahahaha S. Deegan

[@userosara]

Oh and one other tiny thing: do you know from whence Johns actually originates? Is it a product of Wales or a product of England? In all of my research for my girlfriend's family tree, I have not been able to discern where it was first and then where it went immediately after!

[@georgeenglish8482]

@@userosara Most likely from Wales, who tended to use the possessive Johns as opposed to adding -son, i.e. Johnson, as was more common in England. You're talking about what happened many centuries ago, so the odds are not good of finding out! George

[@georgeenglish8482]

@@userosara The relationship applied many centuries ago when the surname was first adopted. George

[@joycebaron672]

My maiden name was Evans from my fathers side my mum was Trenchard , no idea where that originates from . But im proudly English .

[@georgeenglish8482]

Hello Joyce. Evans is a surname of relationship and the 4th most common in Wales. Trenchard is a 'nickname' from the French 'trenchant', probably given to a skilled swordsman, and not common. George

[@joycebaron672]

@@georgeenglish8482 I refuse to accept I have any French in me , lol

[@georgeenglish8482]

Hello Joyce A lot of Brits do, after William the Conqueror came across with a whole bunch of them in 1066! LOL George

[@joycebaron672]

@@georgeenglish8482 doesn't stop me from denying it ,

[@stephanieflynn8943]

I am a Flynn. Very Irish.

[@georgeenglish8482]

Certainly is. Bright red! George

[@benjaminpitre4670]

O Flainn, grand son of Flann. Ni (grand daughter of) is the feminine for O (grand son of). So your surname should be written Ni Flainn

[@shaktipriestess2553]

Sinclair / Douglas / Hume/Blackadder/Sterling. Those are ancestors of mine🩸

[@robindore9582]

What about the last name Jordan

[@ResearchThroughPeople]

Hello Robin Jordan is a Surname of Relationship 'the son of Jordan'. It was found in many parts of England. George.

[@kristibillings1949]

Would you say the name Mcglothlin is Irish or Scottish?

[@georgeenglish8482]

The surname Mcglothlin is virtually unheard of except in USA. It is most likely to be a corruption or misspelling of another similar name such as McLoughlin. George

[@kristibillings1949]

@@georgeenglish8482 Thank you so much for your reply

[@kristibillings1949]

May I ask one more? Would you know the origin of the name Capps?

[@diarmuidbuckley6638]

McLaughlin is Maclochlann= mac (son) of the land of lochs = i.e Viking. A place called Loughlinstown exist on the East coast if Ireland relates to this.

[@kristibillings1949]

@@diarmuidbuckley6638 Thank you

[@youthsportsfilms6252]

How about Simpson?

[@georgeenglish8482]

The 'son;' is the clue that it's a surname of relationship; the 'son' of Simon,' from the nickname. Sim, whence Simpson. Intrusive 'p', as in Thomson or Thompson. George

[@youthsportsfilms6252]

@@georgeenglish8482 thank you for your response. 😊

[@azariahisrael5632]

Scottish name...Probably of Norman Origin. Simpson is the largest Sept of Clan Fraser.

[@mustelidpeter]

Simpson is a very common name in Yorkshire especially the Nidderdale area. One Simpson family moved from Clint in Nidderdale to Edinburgh and many Scots Simpsons are believed to be descended from them.

[@icgang]

Mccoy

[@odiseaanderson217]

What about barron

[@georgeenglish3797]

Barron is a version of an official title. or nickname, 'a baron,' or someone who put on the airs of a baron. George

[@cathythompson4965]

Why would Thompson be derived from McTavish?

[@georgeenglish8482]

Hello Cathy. Very unlikely. You would need to explain why you say that. George English

[@cathythompson4965]

@@georgeenglish8482 Wikipedia says it's the English translation of McTavish.

[@cathythompson4965]

I didn't understand how that happened

[@georgeenglish8482]

@@cathythompson4965Hello Cathy. Not derived from but similar. 'Mac' is the Scottish, Gaelic form of 'son'. McTavish is a form of MacThamhais, 'son of Tammas, ' which is the Lowland Scots form of Thomas. George

[@cathythompson4965]

@@georgeenglish8482 well that explains it then thank you.

[@simonspibey]

Jones & Williams were names in England before Wales, so you can't call them Welsh.

[@georgeenglish8482]

Hello Simon A key question in genealogy (and elsewhere!) is 'What is your evidence for that?' George

[@simonspibey]

@@georgeenglish8482 I read it somewhere, I’ll try and find where. Like your video suggests Welsh people didn’t have modern surnames till the 16th century so were given English surnames.

[@georgeenglish8482]

@@simonspibey The difference in Wales was that they took the plural e.g. Williams rather than Williamson; and the Welsh 'ap' for son. There was a higher proportion of Surnames of Relationship in wales than in other countries. George

[@simonspibey]

@@georgeenglish8482 Yes, My point is that names like Jones are not fundamentally and existed in England before Welsh people used them.

[@georgeenglish8482]

@@simonspibey As I said, you need to produce sound evidence for that. George

[@stephanielee1261]

I'm a Wilson. 🙃

[@iamstable4591]

My last name is Essex I hoped to find it here

[@georgeenglish8482]

Essex is a toponymic (place name) after the county of Essex. You can learn more from our 'Find out where surnames originate' and 'Where does your local/place surname come from?' videos. George

[@mldowjr08]

Dow!!!!! The Book of Dow!!!!

[@janicenash8382]

The names AYCOCK and NASH , HANEY and HARRINGTON

[@georgeenglish8482]

Hello Janice NASH, HANEY and HARRINGTON are all Toponymics (Place names), as probably is AYCOCK. George

[@carriesmith438]

Mccaffrey

[@georgeenglish8482]

McCaffrey is a Surname of Relationship, from the Irish MacCafraidh for MacGafraidh, 'son of Godfrey.'

[@franciscoprazzio225prazzio]

My Scottish ancestors were Wallace Somerville Cunningham Davidson Stewart Menteith Drummond Caldwell Hamilton Buchan Guthrie Anderson Williamson Wilson Crawford Henderson Graham Leslie Mccutcheon Jaffery Buchan McConnell Douglass Ferguson, and Kirk one of my ancestors was a Johnston changed to the name Johnstone, But that was not the real surname the real surname was Buchan.

[@georgeenglish8482]

You've got some of the more common Scottish surnames, and some more unusual ones. Happy to research these further for you if you would like,. George

[@franciscoprazzio225prazzio]

@@georgeenglish8482 I'm currently researching the Davidson side, and I couldn't find a single Davidson born in Scotland, They will born in America They were Scottish Americans no records of anyone born in Scotland exist.

[@franciscoprazzio225prazzio]

@@georgeenglish8482 Ok please research the surnames I mentioned

[@snafusnafu7409]

Queen?

[@georgeenglish8482]

Queen was probably a nickname, like King. It could also be a variant of a similar name like Quinn. George

[@snafusnafu7409]

@@georgeenglish8482 not nick name real surname

[@georgeenglish8482]

@@snafusnafu7409 That means that it was originally a nickname, then adopted as a surname. George

[@snafusnafu7409]

@@georgeenglish8482 how old ?

[@georgeenglish8482]

@@snafusnafu7409 Most surnames were adopted in the 11-13th centuries. You can learn more about Unearthing Surnames that were Nicknames by watching our video at kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWGYeIJ9qNx1iKc. George

[@hayleyboast1877]

How about Boast? It is British.

[@georgeenglish8482]

Hello Hayley. You're lucky, Boast is a rare surname which often makes it easier to trace back in time. It is most likely to be a corruption of a toponymic (place) surname such as Bowhurst. George

[@teslaandhumanity7383]

George we all know where your surname come from …. Cool surname English. Mine is Fornear .

[@georgeenglish8482]

From Ireland, Fornear is rare - from north east England, and possibly France before that. George.

[@juditrotter5176]

When I was pregnant with our second child we decided that if we had a boy we would name him Colby. I had no idea where my husband got that name. When that son was about 25 we spent three weeks traveling about Great Britain. We were so surprised to see all of the places named Colby when we got to WALES. I recalled my Grandmother saying “Don’t put on airs, we are just Welsh miners.Her maiden name was Roberts.

[@taffyducks544]

Welsh genealogy is misleading because any Welshman can have an English name but have no english ancestry. As they adopted the surname system. Hence an Edwards (Son of Edward) in Wales could be 100% Welsh. The clue is the S on the end of names. Whereas English, Scots and Irish tend to have Son on the end.

[@georgeenglish8482]

If you watch the video, you'll see the differences in the 4 countries. George

[@taffyducks544]

@@georgeenglish8482 I've watched and my point still stands, does it not? Wales adopted English surname system. Hence Welsh people having English surnames that came about independently of English relations with the Welsh. However their is no way the English could have A Welsh surname without relations as the adoptive behaviour went one way

[@georgeenglish8482]

@@taffyducks544 No, the adoption of surnames was not like that. In Wales, it was based on a 10thC Welsh patronymic naming system where the child took the father’s name. The law said that a person’s genealogical history should be known e.g. Evan ap Owen ap Jones. George

[@Richard-od3gc]

@@17tgr47 true Jones Davies as well

[@Delgen1951]

i am a Putnam, what can you say?

[@georgeenglish8482]

Putnam is a local, place name. Places in Hertfordshire or Surrey. George

[@annecohen8927]

Son of Jack. Jackson......

[@georgeenglish8482]

Yes, Jackson is one of many such surnames of relationship. George

[@justbr34th12]

My Last Name Is Betts What Can You Say

[@georgeenglish8482]

Betts is a surname of relationship, 'the son of Bete or Bet'. See the 14th century poem Piers Plowman for Bette and Betoun. George

[@sharontaylor4148]

Paternal grandmother; Buttress. Presumed English. Occupational nickname? Paternal grandfather; Grimes. Presumed Irish. Hhmmm...?

[@thomasgrice8864]

Grimes can be from Grehan etc.

[@sharontaylor4148]

@@thomasgrice8864 oh thank you, hadn't heard that

[@patrickwannafightaboutit6338]

Amazing how there are so many England based england people with Irish names and Scottish names that think they're welcome to cross that line.....we all know what happens.... don't play with matches

[@greybone777]

How about the two gay scottsmen. Gerald Fitzpatrick, and Patrick Fitzgerald 😮

[@joannnorman7531]

I AM A NORMAN WHATS MINE

[@azariahisrael5632]

Normandy....North Man...Place Norman Viking Name.

[@izzy9132]

My Paternal Irish family name MacFionnbhair was totally eliminated by the British and bastardized into a few different names but when I wonder? Was that before or when King James 1 stole all our birthright farm lands in 1608, made all my ancestors peasants and gave everything to 5 British and Scottish families? My genuinely Irish family chose NOT to teach or recall any of the genocide and forced removal of my earlier family migration as did the rest who came to Boston Ma USA n the early 20th century so I take grievous issue with you mentioning our waring clansmen as though that was the norm. Had it been the norm you can be sure we American Irish would have funded Sein Fain so well that the history of Northern Ireland may have turned out differently. But as it turns out Northern Ireland is now a tremendous drain on the UK economy and to that I say, "Ha, Ha." P. S. I have loved visiting the England and it's great people since 1970.

[@benjaminpitre4670]

There was fighting amongst the clans in Eire (Ireland) and Alba (Scotland), but they were small skirmishes, not at all ethnic cleansing and extermination like the English did in Eire & the Gaidhealtachd (Scottish Highland) !!

[@mustelidpeter]

@@benjaminpitre4670 I think you may find that the lowland Scots were also involved, but it is so much easier to blame the Englsh.

[@apkn1955]

I have heard that my name Preston came from, someone who lives in a town with a priest. Priest town.

[@georgeenglish8482]

Hello Al. Preston is a toponymic (place) surname from a place called Preston of which there were many. Yes, Preston means 'priest town'. George