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The Daltaí Boards » Archive: 2005- » 2008 (November-December) » Archive through December 30, 2008 » Clarification of surname « Previous Next »

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Mac_fear
Member
Username: Mac_fear

Post Number: 4
Registered: 12-2008
Posted on Sunday, December 28, 2008 - 04:01 pm:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Hi

My surname is Mac Fhearghail, but recently been doing a bit of family tree, and I have been told that maybe my surname should be spelt Mac Fheargail - my great grandfather was born McArgyle but he changed his name to Mac Fhearghail believing that was the gaelic version, but - and im not preteneding to know anymore cos im only going on internet research - but is that version correct? I have also seen many variations such as Ó Feargail & Mac Fhearghaill... so could someone please give me an answer :S I guess it would take an expert.

Im happy with my name but im worried that because the gh is aspirated it's linked more to the O'Carrol's rather than the McArgyle's (maybe they come from the same sept anyway) - so I guess if anyone could give the phonetic's of the various spellings - Mac Fhearghail, Mac Fheargail, Mac Fheargaill & Ó Feargail - i'd be able to gauge it a little - im almost certain it cant be Ó Feargail cos i gather thats linked more with the Farrell's...

Im a Monaghan man if that helps anyone trying to figure the spelling.

Thanks

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Smac_muirí
Member
Username: Smac_muirí

Post Number: 213
Registered: 06-2008
Posted on Sunday, December 28, 2008 - 06:58 pm:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

To satisfy one's own mind, it is best to check on your people's form of surname in the Tithe Applotment (late 1820s) as the older forms still predominate. By the the time of Griffith (Valuation, late 1850s) the modern corrupt form is the form generally seen.

Ní mór is fiú a lán a scríobhadh ar an tsloinnteoireacht in Éirinn - a lot of what you see in print, well, you see in print.

The name you most likely are referring to is seen in three original forms, not neccessarily from the same progenitor. The corrupt forms I put next to them for you to judge. Expect to meet more than one or two forms when researching your own family. It's still normal to hear more than one form in speech, and even in writing, among families of some few various surnames today.

1. Mag Fheargail > Mc Garrigle

2. Mag Fhearghail > Mc Garrell

3. Mag Fhirghil > Mc Girl


Dreamanna eile atá bunaithe ar an ainm Fear+gal, ach nach dócha aon bhaint a bheith acu le sloinne do shinseanathar: Ó Fearghail > O Farrell, Ó Freaghail > Frahill, Ó Frighil > O Friel.

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Mac_fear
Member
Username: Mac_fear

Post Number: 5
Registered: 12-2008
Posted on Monday, December 29, 2008 - 02:15 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Thanks, i'll check the tithe applotment out. Simply by saying the above it seems Mag Fheargail is closer than Mag Fhearghail, phonetically at least. From what my granddad said it was an educated assumption on the spelling, but it doesnt sound right, it doesnt help that my great granddad and granddad didnt have Irish i.e. maybe they wouldnt have had the best grasp on the pronunciation - which is strange considering his ultra nationalist stance on taking back "what the brits took from us".

Thanks for your help

(Message edited by Mac_Fear on December 29, 2008)

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Taig (Unregistered Guest)
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Posted on Monday, December 29, 2008 - 05:49 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

From what I know about the names discussed above I believe that the gh is pronounced g in Ulster resulting in Feargas, Aongas, Feargal, etc.



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