Celtic Onomastics
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Celtic Onomastics
Onomastics is an important source of information on the early Celts, as Greco-Roman historiography recorded Celtic names before substantial written information becomes available in any Celtic language. Like Germanic names, early Celtic names are often dithematic. Suffixes *suffix ''-rix'' "ruler" **Ambiorix **Boiorix ** Cingetorix **Dumnorix **Orgetorix **Vercingetorix *suffix ''-maris'' / ''-marus'' "great" **Britomaris **Indutiomarus **Viridomarus Celtic polytheism Some information on prehistoric Celtic polytheism can be drawn from names in Irish and Welsh mythology, which often continue older theonyms: *Gwenhwyfar, from *''Uindā Seibrā'' "White Phantom" *Brigid, from ''* Brigantia'' "the High one" *Lugh and Lleu, cognate with Gaulish Lugus Surnames Many surnames of Gaelic origin in Ireland and the other Celtic nations derive from ancestors' names, nicknames, or descriptive names. In the first group can be placed surnames such as MacMurrough and MacCarthy, derived from pa ...
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Onomastics
Onomastics (or, in older texts, onomatology) is the study of the etymology, history, and use of proper names. An ''orthonym'' is the proper name of the object in question, the object of onomastic study. Onomastics can be helpful in data mining, with applications such as named-entity recognition, or recognition of the origin of names. It is a popular approach in historical research, where it can be used to identify ethnic minorities within wider populations and for the purpose of prosopography. Etymology ''Onomastics'' originates from the Greek ''onomastikós'' ( grc, ὀνομαστικός, , of or belonging to naming, label=none), itself derived from ''ónoma'' ( grc, ὄνομα, , name, label=none). Branches * Toponymy (or toponomastics), one of the principal branches of onomastics, is the study of place names. * Anthroponomastics is the study of personal names. * Literary onomastics is the branch that researches the names in works of literature and other fiction. * Soc ...
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Gwenhwyfar
Guinevere ( ; cy, Gwenhwyfar ; br, Gwenivar, kw, Gwynnever), also often written in Modern English as Guenevere or Guenever, was, according to Arthurian legend, an early-medieval queen of Great Britain and the wife of King Arthur. First mentioned in popular literature in the early 12th century, nearly 700 years after the purported times of Arthur, Guinevere has since been portrayed as everything from a villainous and opportunistic traitor to a fatally flawed but noble and virtuous lady. Many records of the legend also feature the variably recounted story of her abduction and rescue as a major part of the tale. The earliest datable appearance of Guinevere is in Geoffrey of Monmouth's pseudo-historical British chronicle ''Historia Regum Britanniae'', in which she is seduced by Mordred during his ill-fated rebellion against Arthur. In a later medieval Arthurian romance tradition from France, a prominent story arc is the queen's tragic love affair with her husband's chief knigh ...
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Holly
''Ilex'' (), or holly, is a genus of over 570 species of flowering plants in the family Aquifoliaceae, and the only living genus in that family. ''Ilex'' has the most species of any woody dioecious angiosperm genus. The species are evergreen or deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers from tropics to temperate zones worldwide. The type species is '' Ilex aquifolium'', the common European holly used in Christmas decorations and cards. Description The genus ''Ilex'' is divided into three subgenera: *''Ilex'' subg. ''Byronia'', with the type species ''Ilex polypyrena'' *''Ilex'' subg. ''Prinos'', with 12 species *''Ilex'' subg. ''Ilex'', with the rest of the species The genus is widespread throughout the temperate and subtropical regions of the world. It includes species of trees, shrubs, and climbers, with evergreen or deciduous foliage and inconspicuous flowers. Its range was more extended in the Tertiary period and many species are adapted to laurel forest habitats. It occurs ...
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O'Collins
O'Collins is a common anglicized surname of two ancient families of Irish origin: O'Cuilleain and O'Coilean. Origin of O'Cuilleain O'Cuilleain or Cuilliaéan is an extremely ancient Irish name from Gaelic ''cuileann'' and primitive Gaelic '' cuilieann '' meaning Holly. In pre-Christian Celtic culture and history, the Holly Tree was regarded as sacred on account of its alleged mystic and herbal properties. As testimony to the ancient age of this family, the origin of the word holly comes from the 11th Century Old High German '' hulis'' and Old English '' holegn'' both meaning Holly. The word ''hulis'' originates from an even older pre-Christian proto-Germanic word '' khuli'' a shortened derivation of the ancient Gaelic ''cuilieann'' both meaning holly. The English word “holly” itself pre-dates the word ''holy'' which appeared around the 13th Century with the Old English word ''hālig'' derived from ''hāl'' meaning ''health, happiness and wholeness.'' It is possible ...
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O'Doherty
O'Doherty is a surname, part of the O'Doherty family. Notable persons with that surname include: *Brian O'Doherty (born 1928), Irish art critic, writer, artist, and academic *Sir Cahir O'Doherty (1587–1608), last Gaelic Lord of Inishowen in Ireland * Chris O'Doherty (born 1951), known as Reg , New Zealand-born artist and musician *Claudia O'Doherty (born 1983), Australian actress and comedian *David O'Doherty (born 1975), Irish stand-up comedian * Éamonn O'Doherty (republican) (1939–1999), Irish republican and author * Éamonn O'Doherty (sculptor) (1939–2011), Irish sculptor and painter *Ellen O'Doherty (religious) (1894-1983), Australian superior general of Sisters of Charity *Gemma O'Doherty, Irish investigative journalist *Hugh O'Doherty (died 1924), Irish nationalist politician * Ian O'Doherty, Irish columnist *James Edward O'Doherty (1848–1932), Irish lawyer and politician *Jarrod O'Doherty, rugby league footballer *Jim O'Doherty, American television producer, writer a ...
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Dowd
Dowd is a derivation of an ancient surname once common in Ireland but now not readily found. The name Dowd is an Anglicisation of the original Ó Dubhda (pronounced ), through its more common form O'Dowd. The Uí Dubhda are one of the Clann Uí Fiachrach, one of the major families of Irish clans. The Uí Fiachrach – early origins There are many people of Irish descent who can justly claim an ancestry as ancient and royal as that of any of the famous European dynasties. Among them are the Ó Dubhda family, including the O'Dowda, O'Dowd and other variant spellings, who are descended (with many other families) from a people in the West of Ireland once known as the Uí Fiachrach (). This name derived from a 5th Century pagan king of Connacht called Fiachra (). His grandson Dáithí () also became king and was killed by lightning about A.D. 445. His grandson Aillil () succeeded as King of Connacht and later King of Tara until A.D. 482. The Ó Dubhda surname The Uí Fiachrach provide ...
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Patronymics
A patronymic, or patronym, is a component of a personal name based on the given name of one's father, grandfather (avonymic), or an earlier male ancestor. Patronymics are still in use, including mandatory use, in many countries worldwide, although their use has largely been replaced by or transformed into patronymic surnames. Examples of such transformations include common English surnames such as Johnson (son of John). Origins of terms The usual noun and adjective in English is ''patronymic'', but as a noun this exists in free variation alongside ''patronym''. The first part of the word ''patronym'' comes from Greek πατήρ ''patēr'' "father" (GEN πατρός ''patros'' whence the combining form πατρο- ''patro''-); the second part comes from Greek ὄνυμα ''onyma'', a variant form of ὄνομα ''onoma'' "name". In the form ''patronymic'', this stands with the addition of the suffix -ικός (''-ikos''), which was originally used to form adjectives with th ...
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Nicknames
A nickname is a substitute for the proper name of a familiar person, place or thing. Commonly used to express affection, a form of endearment, and sometimes amusement, it can also be used to express defamation of character. As a concept, it is distinct from both pseudonym and stage name, and also from a title (for example, City of Fountains), although there may be overlap in these concepts. Etymology The compound word ''ekename'', literally meaning "additional name", was attested as early as 1303. This word was derived from the Old English phrase ''eac'' "also", related to ''eacian'' "to increase". By the 15th century, the misdivision of the syllables of the phrase "an ekename" led to its rephrasing as "a nekename". Though the spelling has changed, the pronunciation and meaning of the word have remained relatively stable ever since. Conventions in various languages English nicknames are generally represented in quotes between the bearer's first and last names (e.g., '' D ...
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Celtic Nations
The Celtic nations are a cultural area and collection of geographical regions in Northwestern Europe where the Celtic languages and cultural traits have survived. The term ''nation'' is used in its original sense to mean a people who share a common identity and culture and are identified with a traditional territory. The six regions widely considered Celtic nations are Brittany (''Breizh''), Cornwall (''Kernow''), Ireland (''Éire''), the Isle of Man (''Mannin'', or ''Ellan Vannin''), Scotland (''Alba''), and Wales (''Cymru''). In each of the six nations a Celtic language is spoken to some extent: Brittonic languages, Brittonic or Brythonic languages are spoken in Brittany (Breton language, Breton), Cornwall (Cornish language, Cornish) and Wales (Welsh language, Welsh), whilst Goidelic languages, Goidelic or Gaelic languages are spoken in Scotland (Scottish Gaelic), Ireland (Irish language, Irish), and the Isle of Man (Manx language, Manx). Before the expansions of Ancien ...
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Goidelic Languages
The Goidelic or Gaelic languages ( ga, teangacha Gaelacha; gd, cànanan Goidhealach; gv, çhengaghyn Gaelgagh) form one of the two groups of Insular Celtic languages, the other being the Brittonic languages. Goidelic languages historically formed a dialect continuum stretching from Ireland through the Isle of Man to Scotland. There are three modern Goidelic languages: Irish ('), Scottish Gaelic ('), and Manx ('). Manx died out as a first language in the 20th century but has since been revived to some degree. Nomenclature ''Gaelic'', by itself, is sometimes used to refer to Scottish Gaelic, especially in Scotland, and so it is ambiguous. Irish and Manx are sometimes referred to as Irish Gaelic and Manx Gaelic (as they are Goidelic or Gaelic languages), but the use of the word "Gaelic" is unnecessary because the terms Irish and Manx, when used to denote languages, always refer to those languages. This is in contrast to Scottish Gaelic, for which "Gaelic" distinguishes the l ...
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Lugus
Lugus was a deity of the Celtic pantheon. His name is rarely directly attested in inscriptions, but his importance can be inferred from place names and ethnonyms, and his nature and attributes are deduced from the distinctive iconography of Gallo-Roman inscriptions to Mercury, who is widely believed to have been identified with Lugus, and from the quasi-mythological narratives involving his later cognates, Welsh Lleu Llaw Gyffes (Lleu of the Skillful Hand) and Irish Lugh Lámhfhada (Lugh of the Long Arm). Etymology The etymology of the name is debated. Besides the Gaulish ''Lugos'' (plural ''Lugoues'', ''Lugouibus''), the deity is attested in Old Irish ''Lug'' ( Ogham: ''Lugu''-), Middle Welsh ''Llew'', and Celtiberian ''Luguei'', which may point to a Common Celtic origin of the cult.' The Proto-Celtic compound ''*Lugu-deks'' ('serving the god Lug') can also be reconstructed from Gaulish ''Lugudeca'' and Old Irish ''Lugaid''.' The theonym can also be found in the place names ...
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Lleu Llaw Gyffes
Lleu Llaw Gyffes (, sometimes spelled Llew Llaw Gyffes) is a hero of Welsh mythology. He appears most prominently in the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi, the tale of Math fab Mathonwy, which tells the tale of his birth, his marriage, his death, his resurrection and his accession to the throne of Gwynedd. He is a warrior and magician, invariably associated with his uncle Gwydion. He is widely understood to be the Welsh equivalent of the Irish Lugh and the Gaulish Lugus. It has been suggested that Lleu, like Pryderi, is related to the divine son figure of Mabon ap Modron. Name The name ''Lleu'' is derived from Proto-Celtic *''Lugus'', the exact meaning (and etymology) of which is still a matter of scholarly debate. Several writers and historians thought that the name ''Lugus'' is derived from the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root *''leuk-'', 'light', and thus he was considered a sun god. This etymology has been dismissed because PIE *''k'' did not under any known circumstances become ...
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