Origins of Appalachian and Southern Surnames, 45

[@janabarnes1791]

Kudos on your pronunciation and comments about Appalachia!

[@BarryVann]

Thanks, Jana!

[@patriciaeasterday2125]

Thank you, Sir!

[@BarryVann]

You are welcome!

[@williampounds9180]

My people fought in the Battle of Hastings, 1066. Came from Normandy to England and became Lords. Then went to Ireland and Australia and then came to America.

[@BarryVann]

Thanks for sharing, William! Barry

[@ste2442]

There is a nice quaint village in Lancashire England called Wrea Green. Love these uploads , from Liverpool England .

[@BarryVann]

Thanks, STE! It's good to hear from you! Barry

[@ste2442]

@@BarryVann aways watch your stuff mate , keep up the good work 🇬🇧🤝🇺🇸

[@DD-wx3ho]

I found different spellings in my newly discovered family name: Yeargan, Yeargin, Yeargen, and Yeargain…not to mention, they re-use all their first names in their family: Andrew, Benjamin, Samuel, John, William, etc WHEW! So hard to keep track when brothers name their kids after their other brothers! Maybe you can comment on this situation, Barry! ( BTW, my husband’s family from Poland does the same thing, so I thank God my relatives names are in ENGLISH and not these that are even harder to follow: Boleslaw, Andrzej, Wawrzynca, Czeslaw, and all their kids are named after their brothers, as well! Double YIKES! )

[@BarryVann]

Families in Appalachia like to recycle first and middle names. Sometimes a woman's surname will be given to her son as a given name. My third great grandfather was married to a Dickson, so they named their oldest son, Dickson Vann.

[@DD-wx3ho]

@@BarryVann Yes, I see this in all cultures now and all over this world, this 'recycling'...is there a word for this concept? If not, sounds like a great paper with a new word and your name all over it, Barry! So dang hard to keep all the generations with all the same names divided amoung all the sons, and cousins and gosh knows who else! When you have 4 Samuel Yeargans in 20 years in 4 families and maybe 3 Andrew Yeargans in 10 years, it really so sooooo much!

[@dmitrigheorgheni]

MY family called them the 'Appalaychun' mountains in the abstract - but not one of 'em ever said they lived in 'Appalachia' OR 'Appalaychuh'. They said they lived 'up in the hills' or 'down in the holler'. And none of them would have been rude enough to correct someone else's pronunciation.

[@BarryVann]

Dmitri, I think you are right about the normal everyday lexicon. I was raised by grandparents who had little education. They only used Appalachia when they were talking about a larger region. I heard Blue Ridge a lot more than Appalachian or Smokey Mountains.

[@luannnelson2825]

It’s closed at the moment for renovation, but if you are tracking down your Wray surname, I’d highly recommend a trip to the NuWray Inn in Burnsville, NC. (Original builder was named Rush Wray.) Burnsville is a very quaint town (with more restaurants than you’d expect) named for naval hero Otway Burns and built on land donated by Yellow Jacket Bailey, who is buried at Riverside Cemetery in Asheville, along with a whole bunch of Rays, Penlands, Seviers, and just about any other name you could think of with Appalachian connections.

[@BarryVann]

Thanks, Luann! That's some great information, and it's well stated.

[@jby6277]

Excellent as always. Thank you so much for your efforts. You look like you are feeling better. I trust you health issues are being sorted out. 🙏

[@BarryVann]

J By, thanks for noting my health. It's kind of you to write a supportive message. I appreciate that very much. I am scheduled to have a hip replacement on October 13th. I look forward to walking without pain. Kind regards, Barry

[@jby6277]

@@BarryVann You are very welcome. The individuals I know who have had hip replacement have all said the pain after surgery & doing physical therapy was less than the pain before the surgery. I pray results will be the same or better. Thank you again, Jeanette

[@cmgs1970]

Thank you for another informative video. Pace and Capps are 2 of my grandparents names. Btw I appreciate how you pronounce Appalachian. My son graduated from the university of that name😊

[@BarryVann]

You are so welcome! Barry

[@mossmiller5501]

I’m going to venture to guess they were natives of Henderson County, NC? Have Pace in my family tree and I know of quite a few Capps who were neighbors of theirs.

[@cmgs1970]

@@mossmiller5501 yes! We may be related!

[@mossmiller5501]

@@cmgs1970 I have no doubt we are! I’m related to just about all the early families of Henderson County by way of my paternal Grandmother. Cox, Hefner, Patterson, Hamilton, Osteen, Fortune, Allison, Jones, Pace, Staton, Gilbert, Hill, Merrill, McCrary, Orr, Laughter, Sentell are all in the family tree on that side.

[@cmgs1970]

@@mossmiller5501 sounds like mine. Pace, Capps, Jones, Justus, Staton, Anders, Corn, Bishop, Morris. I was born in Hendersonville. I think I was related to everyone at our church

[@RosatheSilvermuse]

Totally enjoyed this video.

[@BarryVann]

Glad you enjoyed it, Rose! Barry

[@glennanderson3725]

I have another question. Did the people of Ireland and Scotland practice patrimony naming? If so, when did it stop? My Nordic ancestors practiced it up to the 1880s. My Scot-Irish family, Patterson, is hard to trace in NI. There isn't much of a record. I wonder if the name is the son of a Patrick around the 1700's. Y-DNA lines up with a Scotish Clan. Make sense and matches with historic migrations. By the way, the family's hammer mill is still in existence and is part of the Royal Trust.

[@baronvann1314]

Yes. They practiced patriarchal naming. Mac means the son of and O means the grandson. Patterson is generally Scottish. It means the son of Peter or Patrick. I don't recall.

[@lawrencecoffeyjr1300]

I love this study...May God bless...

[@BarryVann]

Thanks, Lawrence! Barry

[@gracie4duke]

Another very interesting episode! I enjoy these so much. Thank you!

[@BarryVann]

Thanks, Gracie! I hope you are well this week! Barry

[@pdrake2572]

In our area of Southern WV we have the Sirname..Casteel.. Is this a version of Castle? Once again, thanks for the work that you do..Paul

[@BarryVann]

Hi Paul, it looks like someone let phonics work for them. Castille is pronounced the same way. It is Spanish for of Castle, though.

[@katrinacasteel3060]

Our surname is Casteel and we are in Eastern Tennessee.

[@chriseggleston7573]

Curious about Trotter, McThompson, Heifner (various spellings),, Kennedy in Appalachia, Kello, as I have several relatives in Appalachia. I, have a Kennedy ancestor who married a McKinney!

[@BarryVann]

Thanks for watching and for writing, Chris. There are quite a few names on the list before any of your names. Kennedy, McKinney and Trotter will come up first. Barry

[@davido6170]

Thanks for covering Mixon! A few generations lived in the Okefenokee Swamp

[@BarryVann]

You are welcome, David. I hope I was close to pronouncing your name correctly. Barry

[@davido6170]

@@BarryVann you nailed it.

[@elainebrown874]

Thank you for sharing all of this. Your KZbin channel just came up on my iPad. Maybe one day, unless you have already done it, you might could look up the last name Eldridge. That was my maiden name . Thank you a lot. 🇺🇸

[@BarryVann]

Elaine, I just happened to see your comment. Eldridge is covered here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGjWn4OBpaZgjac

[@elainebrown874]

@@BarryVann thank you so very much. 🤩

[@BarryVann]

@@elainebrown874 My pleasure!

[@pjb2773]

Something I've always noticed is that while we Yankees used the long A in Appalachia, the people who live there use the short a. I would assume the locals would know how to pronounce their own part of the country.

[@BarryVann]

I think it's just a regional distinction. I would never tell someone that they are wrong in how they pronounce it. Sound is another way of saying accent. In Mississippi, people called my daughter Sarah (Say ruh) with a long a. It's just a regional thing.

[@pjb2773]

You're probably right but my husband pronounced Appalachia with the short a also and he was a first generation American who grew up in Brooklyn and had a PhD in anthropology from Columbia. He said that's how the professors pronounced it. Makes you wonder how the Native Americans pronounced it.

[@baronvann1314]

@@pjb2773 If you find out, please let me know. Barry

[@hoosierlady3085]

I have some Miller's from Aubermoham, County Donegal, Ireland. To me Miller doesn't sound Irish. So could they have been English transplants??

[@BarryVann]

Hi Hoosier Lady! Miller could be English, Irish, Scottish, or Welsh. Just about every village had someone who worked as a miller, so it's an occupational name. In Germany, it is spelled Muller. Check out Episode 18. I covered Miller in it. Regards, Barry

[@michaelj3533]

I know it's been 2 months from this airing. But my wife and I are curious if you could show us the surname "Hills" and "Storey". If you have done an episode with those names, could you point us in the right direction? Thank you so much, we just found you and are trying to get through as many as we can. Love your content it's all very interesting.

[@lindadrake8372]

Thank you for covering Ray it was interesting as I had requested it. I would also like to request meaning and origin of name Schee. This was on my maternal grandmother.---I have heard that it is either German, Scottish or Dutch ---but supposedly my family came from Scotland but German people say it is of German origin

[@BarryVann]

Linda, I'll be honest with you. I have never seen this name in print or spoken, but I will give it a look.

[@brentsmart7624]

Love the info and history. On your channel have you ever covered the Smart surname? If not, could you include it in the future?

[@BarryVann]

Hi Brent, Smart is already on the list to cover. There are quite a few in front of it though. Barry

[@rjhyden]

Have you happened to have covered the Hyden name. My ancestors migrated to Texas from Lee County, Va in the 1840s. Hyden , Kentucky is not far away from there. If you have, I`m sorry for missing it.

[@BarryVann]

Howdy! Live 20 miles from Lee County, Virginia and have been in and through Hyden, Kentucky at least 50 times. Hyden is on the list to cover.

[@rjhyden]

@@BarryVann That is great news, I know we are all made from many names, but the one we carry has special meaning. Great channel !

[@rjhyden]

@@BarryVann My son moved to Knoxville last year and he met his wife, who hails from Jamestown, Tennessee in Korea of all places. I was there recently and traveled to the Cumberland Gap, near where my Grandfathers lived.

[@davidmidkiff2909]

Hi Barry, Here in Wythe and Bland Counties Virginia the local spelling is Cassell.

[@BarryVann]

Thanks, David! Barry

[@suewarner1781]

Thank you!

[@BarryVann]

You're welcome!

[@RawH2o]

Our father's blessings to you Berry

[@BarryVann]

Thanks, Raw H3 02, I appreciate you. May the Lord bless and keep you! Barry

[@artistinmotioncreations3887]

Nice! My 3xs great grandmother was a Grimm

[@BarryVann]

That's awesome! Barry

[@SherryHill-k5y]

My cousin's last name is Grimm!

[@michaelbarnett2527]

My dad from SW Virginia would always say it “ AppalATcha…

[@BarryVann]

SW Virginia was a migration artery for folks headed into the interior. Coal mining also attracted non-locals. That makes it a bit different from the rest of southern Appalachia. I live only 20 miles from Lee County, Virginia. I had a book signing once in Big Stone Gap, and I was going over words that are used among old timers like yunz and fix-in to, but the attendees acted like they had never heard those words.

[@2anthro]

@@BarryVann @ fix-in to I used fix-in to until I was in my 40s when I told a French colleague that I was fixin to send him a document per email. The old ways die hard!

[@steveblack5066]

I wonder if George Fraser Black is waiting for you to cover the name Black. 🤣I know from my paper trail and DNA that my Black family is from Scotland via Northern Ireland. Maybe I don't need the info, but someone might. Keep up the good work.

[@BarryVann]

I bet GF Black would be happy to know that someone figured out the linguistic meanings of the color and related words that are his nominal kin, which is now traceable to all of the English speaking countries on the planet. I'm curious about how you determined that your last name goes to Scotland via DNA? The only way for sure that I know is to have Y Chromosome matches in the country. Autosomal DNA is a different story, but that test is unable to narrow the connection down to one line. We have 64 4xgreat grandparents (around 1740-1790). I'm 59% Scottish, but my last name is not Scottish; however, my Y Haplogroup, which should follow the surname through the generations, has a high likelihood of being Scottish.

[@steveblack5066]

@@BarryVann By an Ancestry DNA (not a Y test) I am showing 40% Scottish. The paper trial for my Black surname goes thru Antrim, Northern Ireland to Glasgow . I'll do a Y test sometime...after all, my Loggins family traces thru Northern Ireland and then Scotland. Both Father and Mother's sides are littered with Scots.

[@baronvann1314]

@@steveblack5066 Forty percent is quite a bit!

[@steveblack5066]

@@baronvann1314 But I am still wondering about the 9% Danish/Norwegian....being so tall, blond and blue-eyed! Not on all counts! 🤣

[@baronvann1314]

@@steveblack5066 There are some darker Scandinavians for sure. If you are wondering about how you have some Danish genes, that easy. The Angles, Jutes, and Vikings are the same genetically.

[@cottonlb]

Could you clarify the meaning of Beasley ? Did it come from bees ? Thanks Barry, I like your channel. You found a way to to listen to a bunch of names over and over again interesting. That’s not easy, it takes a talent. 🧡🙂

[@BarryVann]

Yes I did, I just forgot to mention it. My bad! It could be a place name (of Beasley): Beag's lea; a holder of a ring or bracelet, or the bees' lea. Lea meant meadow. Thanks for the kind words! Barry

[@Khatoon170]

How are you doing dr Barry ihope you don’t consider me as talkative because I inserted long comments . Reading and writing both are great ways to improve our English language as none native speakers. As always iam gathering main information about topics you mentioned briefly here it’s surnames originated to categorize people based on their occupations, places of origin , clan alliance, patronage , paternity, adaptations, even physical traits ( like red hair). Medieval England, surnames became more common after Norman conquest in 1066 . The majority of surnames are inherited from male ancestors surnames. Surnames formed from ancestor professions are also widespread with smith being most prevalent in United Kingdom.

[@BarryVann]

Khatoon, I am honored that you are posting comments. Your writing is definitely getting better. Keep up the work!

[@mkshffr4936]

Does the Surname Shaffer have any connection to Appalachia?

[@BarryVann]

You bet it does. I have know a few from my hometown of Oliver Springs and Clinton, Tennessee.

[@artistinmotioncreations3887]

Yes. My relatives are shaffers. West Virginia appalachia

[@mkshffr4936]

@@BarryVann Would love to see it covered in your series. My lineage hails from Western PA.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

Whoever wanted you to start pronouncing appalachia WRONG had to be a yankee infiltrator. That burns me up and I said so when I started watching you if you remember. And I know a fine preacher and his wife named Beasley that live in Maryville. Have a fine week and watch out for the 'leaf watchers' as the old logger/sawyer said. BLESSINGS!

[@BarryVann]

Howdy Lewie! Thanks for having my back on this one! It;s good to hear from you. I hope you have a great week up yonder. Barry

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@BarryVann I've got you surrounded on this one, Buddy! Got a big bear running off with trash and maybe he's taking it out on the goffer course. A good week'll be had by all! GBWYall!

[@jasonjopling6647]

My surname is Joplin, so little info we have found. Mostly in North England. We don’t exactly know where we are from.

[@BarryVann]

Jason, according to Henry Harrison in Surnames of the United Kingdom, Joplin and Jopling come from the French Jobelin = job.

[@fredcarter6996]

I look forward to your posts. I'm about 95% English/Scottish/Irish/Welsh with a smattering of Dane according to DNA testing I've had done.

[@BarryVann]

Fred, that's seems to be a fairly common combination that I have been privileged to read.

[@mrkitcatt2119]

Best thing to do is a ydna test

[@Khatoon170]

Last and most important part of my research oldest names in England, Germany , and other similar countries from times of middle age, such as Beckett ( old English) means “ stream “. Carey ( Celtic) means “ near castle “ . Adalbert ( German ) means “ noble “ .cosimo( Greek ) means “ beauty “ . Hilith ( British) “ battle “. Persnelle ( French ) “ rock “. Royal medieval surnames such as Edward ( English) “ wealth protector “. Elizabeth ( Hebrew) “ my god is abundant “. Henry ( English) “ home ruler “ . Macbeth ( Scottish) “ son of life “ . Matilda ( English) “ strong battle “ . Medieval surnames inspired by brave heart such as Wallace ( Scottish) . Medieval surnames inspired by game throne such as stark ( Middle English) means “ unylieding” . Medieval surnames inspired by region such as Tudor ( Welsh) “ king of people “. Medieval surnames inspired by Monty python and holy grail as Maynard ( old English) “ strength “. Bors ( German) . Medieval surnames inspired by Black Death ulric ( English) “ wolf ruler “ . Medieval surnames inspired by Merlin as Arthur ( Gaelic) “ bearer of stone “.leon ( Greek) “ lion “. Medieval first names as surnames as ada ( German ) “ Nobel” . Richard ( German) “ brave leader. Medieval words that work as surnames sir marrow - it’s way to say good day . Ihope you like my research stay safe blessed good luck to you your family friends.

[@larryreese6146]

Beasley, Bee's ley, Bee's field?

[@BarryVann]

Hi Larry, yes. I guess I never got around to telling the meaning. Oops! Barry

[@larryreese6146]

@@BarryVann I was just guessing Barry. How's it going?

[@baronvann1314]

@@larryreese6146 You are sharp as a tack, Larry!

[@laurabrooks7655]

I was raised in Michigan, and they taught us "Ap-a-lay-sha" in school. My dad's from eastern Kentucky, but I never heard anyone say the word there, though I have been told since then that the Appalachian people pronounce it "Ap-a-latch-a."

[@BarryVann]

Laura, I think you are spot on with Appalachia. Most people in southern Appalachia think much more locally than they do the region. I have most often heard names like the Nantahala Mountains, the Blue Ridge, Windrock, etc. However, they say it just like the Appalachian State University.

[@marshaverduzco2859]

I have been looking for your email to get your name thing. No particular order. McGuffin, Rains, Treat/Trott, Melton.

[@BarryVann]

[e-mail]

[@marshaverduzco2859]

@@BarryVann list of names already done. Also best wishes for the success of your surgery.

[@baronvann1314]

@@marshaverduzco2859 thanks, Marsha!

[@jomock8906]

What about the name Cornette?

[@BarryVann]

Hi JO, take a look at Episode 4. It's dated December 2021. Kind regards! Barry

[@nuttybar9]

Have you found anything on the name "Justus",Yet.

[@BarryVann]

Everything on my end says that it's an Anglo-French-Latin name for one who gives or receives justice. It arrived in the Isles with the Norman conquerors. It looks like someone on this side of the Atlantic used phonics and spelled it with jus instead of an jis.

[@nuttybar9]

@@BarryVann Thanks!

[@edwardgraham2566]

Two new names: DEMAH and GOVER

[@BarryVann]

Edward, I have added them to the list of names to cover. Thanks for watching and for writing. Barry Vann

[@christolbert4628]

Good bye 👋

[@BarryVann]

Hi Chris, where are you going?