Celtic Male Names of Scotland
Abhainn - "river." Aibne.
Acair variant of the
word meaning "anchor". Acaiseid.
Achaius "friend of horses".
Adair (Gael) place name meaning "from the oak tree ford" or "oak
tree settlement". From a surname, maybe derived from an early Scottish
pronunciation of English Edgar. Adaire, Athdar, Edgar.
Adhamh
Scots-Gaelic spelling of Adam, "of the earth".
Adie
Scottish pet form of Adam, and less commonly Aidan. Adaidh is the
Gaelic spelling of Adie, hence surname MacAdaidh, Anglicized
McCadie..
Aedan (Scot) a King of Scots in 560. see
Aidan.
Aeneas rare name; was quite common in Scotland as
anglicized form of Aonghas; and in Ireland as anglicized form of
Ιigneachαn, a personal name from ιigneach "violent fate or death".
Ahearn "lord of the horses". Aherin, Hearn.
Aidan
Fr. Old Irish aed "fire" + dim. -an. Very old Scottish name.
King Aidan mac Gabran, ruled Argyll in the 6th C., first Christian Monarch in
the British Isles outside Ireland. 7th C. St. Aidan established the celebrated
monastery of Lindisfarne. Aedan.
Ailbeart "noble";
Scots-Gaelic form of Albert. Ailbert.
Ailean (AY-luhn)
"handsome"; also from Old Irish ail "noble" + dim. -an. Anglicized
as Alan, related from the Breton language.
Ailein from a
Gaelic word for "from the green meadow".
Aillig "from the stony
place". Ail.
Aindrea Scots-Gaelic form of Andrew,
"strong"; also Anndra.
Ainsley (Gael) "my very own meadow or
lee".
Alasdair (ALL-us-tir) "defender of mankind"; Gaelic evolution
of Greek name Alexander. Scottish royal name in 12th C. when Alexander I took
the throne. MacAlisters claim descent from Alasdair Mor (d. 1299), son of Donald
of Islay, Lord of the Isles. Alister, Alistair, Alastair, Alaisdair,
Alisdair, Alastair, Allaster, Alaster, Alasdair (AHL-uhs-duhr),
Alexander; pet form Aly; feminine form Alastrina.
Alec (Gr) "defender of mankind"; short form of Alexander,
now less popular then Alex, possibly because of the term "smart alec". Ailig,
Alick.
Alick Scottish variant of Alec, which has gained
popularity on it own. The form Ellic is in use in the Highlands. Gaelic
form is Ailig.
Alpin Prob. derived from Latin albinus
"white, fair". Borne by at least two Pictish kings, source of surname MacAlpin.
Scottish anglicized form of Gaelic Ailpein, a name widely given in the
Highlands from the time of earliest historical records. There is no obvious
Gaelic etymology, and is often taken to be of Pictish origin. Alpine.
Aluinn (AH-loo-in) "handsome" or "cheerful"; Scottish of Celtic
origin, possibly a dim. of a word meaning "rock". Ailean, Alan, Allan,
Allen (generally only found as a surname in Britain, but equally common as a
given name in the USA).
Amhlaidh Scottish Gaelic form of Olaf, an
Old Norse name introduced to Ireland by Viking settlers. Aulay.
Amhuinn "from the alder tree river".
Angus "unique
choice, chosen one, unique strength", from Old Irish Oengus: oen
"one" + gus "vigor". Scottish and Irish; anglicized form of Gaelic
Aonghus/Aonghas (EUN-eu-uss), composed of Celtic elements meaning "one"
and "choice". Name of an old Celtic god, and is first recorded as a personal
name in Adomnan's "Life of St. Columba," where it occurs in the form
Oinogus(s)ius as the name of a man for whom the saint prophesied a long
life and a peaceful death. Almost certainly the name of an 8th C. Pictish king
variously recorded as Omnust and Hungus. traditional first name in
Scotland, and of the men of clan Donald, whose ancestors include Angus Og of
Islay. Short form Gus; pet form Angie; feminine form
Angusina.
Anndra (AH-oon-drah) Scots-Gaelic form of
Andrew, "manly". St. Andrew the Apostle is the patron saint of Scotland.
Aindrea. Andra (Lowland form). Pet forms: Andy, Drew.
Aodh (OOH) Fr. Old Irish aed "fire". Frequent name in early
Scotland; surname Mackay is based on it. Aoidh, Hugh.
Arailt
Scots-Gaelic form of Harold.
Archibald Scottish of Norman
French origin. Composed of elements ercan "genuine" + bald "bold,
brave". Equivalent of Scottish Gaelic Gilleasbaig. Pet forms: Archie,
Archy (Gaelic Eair(r)dsidh), Baldie.
Argyle taken
from the old placename Arregaithel, "from the land of the Gauls".
Armstrong Scottish, transferred use of the surname, probably as a
nickname for a man with strong arms.
Art Irish and Scottish, now as
an informal shortening of Arthur.
Artair (AHR-shtuhr)
"eagle-like" or "high, noble"; Gaelic form of Arthur, fr. Celtic
artos "bear", or poss. borrowed from Latin Artorius; and the surname
MacArtair is derived, and anglicized as McArthur and
Carter. Arth, Artus.
Arthur
of Celtic origin. King Arthur, British king of 5th C. or 6th C. The name was
first found in the Latinized form Artorius and its derivation is obscure.
Athol transferred use of the name of a Perthshire district, seat of
the dukes of Atholl. The placename is thought to derive from the Gaelic ath
Fodla "new Ireland". Atholl, Athole.
Aulay from Norse
Olaf. Source of surname (and first name) MacAulay; Scottish anglicized form of
Amhla(i)dh. See Amhlaoibh.
Baird from a clan name, derived fr. Old Irish bard "a bard,
poet". Bard.
Baldie Scottish pet from of Archibald.
Balfour "pasture land".
Balloch from a word meaning
"from the pasture".
Balmoral taken from the placename, "from the
majestic village".
Banner "flag bearer".
Barclay
Scottish, Irish; transferred use of the Scottish surname, which was taken to
Scotland in the 12th C. by Walter de Berchelai, who became a chamberlain of
Scotland in 1165. Probably derived from Berkeley in Gloucestershire, which is
from OE beorc "birch tree" + leah "wood or clearing"; "birch tree
meadow". In Ireland, its been anglicized in the form of Parthalαn.
Berkeley.
Bean from a Celtic word for "spirit" or "fairy",
and means "one who is white-skinned"; Scottish anglicized form of Gaelic name
Beathan.
Bearnard Irish, Scots-Gaelic form of
Bernard; from the Old German words Beirn-hard "brave as a bear".
Bhatar (VAH-tuhr) Fr. Germanic wald "rule" + harja
"folk". Usually associated with Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832).
Moderately popular as a first name in Scotland. Walter.
Birk
"birch tree".
Blackburn "black brook".
Blair from a
surname; from Gaelic blar "plain, field, battlefield"; or "child of the
fields". Blaire, Blayre.
Blane from Gaelic bla
"yellow". Name of an important Scottish saint who was Bishop of Kingarth in late
6th C.; several Scottish churches are named Kilblane in his honor. Blain,
Blaine, Blayne.
Bothan from a Gaelic word for "from the stone
house".
Boyd from Gaelic buidhe "yellow-haired".
Braden modern spelling of Bhradain, "salmon".
Braigh
from the Gaelic word for "from the upper part".
Breac from the
Celtic word for "speckled". Bryce, Brice.
Bret "from
Britain". Brit.
Brian (ONorse) "strong" or "virtuous";
brought from Ireland, King Brian Boru. Briant, Brion, Bryan, Bryant.
Broc from an Old English word for "badger".
Brodie
from the Irish Gaelic word for "from the ditch".
Bruce (Fr)
"woods"; derived fr. a surname based on the place name, Braose (now
Brieuse) in Normandy, and brought to Scotland by the Normans; most famous Bruce
was Robert Bruce, King of Scots from 1306-29, who liberated Scotland fr. English
rule at the Battle of Bannockburn.
Busby "village on woodlands" or
"village in the thicket".
Bryce "quick-moving". From name of 4th C.
St. Bricius of Tours, France, name is Celtic origin. Bricius' cult was brought
to Scotland by the Normans. Brice.
Bryson from a surname
meaning "son of Bryce".
Buchanan from a surname derived from a
place name in Stirlingshire. Source is prob. Gaelic bocan "a young male
deer".
Cailean (KAH-luhn) from Old Irish cuilen "pup, cub, kitten"
or "child". Favorite of Campbells and MacKenzies; 1st Campbell chief of Lochawe,
Cailean Mor, was killed in a battle with the MacDougals in 1294, since then the
chief of the clan has been MacCailein Mor "Son of Big Cailean". Cael, Caelin,
Callean, Colin, Cailean (CAL-lan).
Cairns Gaelic place word
that became a surname and first name. Traditionally, a cairn is a heap of stones
placed on top of a grave.
Calum (KA-luhm) from Latin columba
"dove". 6th C. Irish missionary St. Columba (Colm Cille in Irish) founded a
monastery on the island of Iona which became a great center of learning. Also
used as a nickname for Malcolm. Callum.
Camden "from the
winding or crooked valley". Camdin, Camdan.
Cameron (Celt)
from cam + shron "nose", or brun "hill". An important clan
name, place name in the old kingdom of Fife. Camar, Camshron, Camero,
Camey.
Campbell (KAM-bel) from cam "crooked" +
beul "mouth". A clan name that is also used a first name. Cambeul,
Cam, Camp.
Carey (Welsh) "stoney, rock island".
Carlton from the Old English words Carla-tun "farmers'
settlement".
Carmichael "follower of Michael".
Carney
"fighter".
Carr "from the marsh"; derived from the Norse word for
"marsh". Cathair, Cary.
Cathal Fr. Old Irish cath
"battle". Ancient first name is source of the surname Macall.
Cawley
from the Gaelic word for "relic". Camhlaidh, Cauley.
Ceard
from the Gaelic word for "smith". Ceardach.
Chalmers "son of
the lord". Clamer, Chalmer.
Charles (OFr) "full-grown,
manly". Teΰrlach.
Chattan from the Gaelic word for "cat";
clan name that is used as a first name also. Chait.
Cinead
Prob. Pictish in origin; in 843, King Cinead Mac Ailpin united Gaels and Picts
in one kingdom, Scotia. Ceanag (KEN-uhk); anglecized as Kenneth;
feminine form is Kenna.
Clach from the Gaelic word for
"stone".
Cleit from the Gaelic word for "rocky promontory".
Clennan from a Celtic word for "servant of Finnian".
Clyde (Scottish) name of the famous Scottish river.
Coinneach (KON-yokh or KUH-nyuhx) Fr. Old Irish Cainnech, derived
fr. cain "good, beautiful"; "handsome face or head". St. Cainnech founded
monasteries in Ireland and Scotland in the 6th C.; city of Kilkenny (Cell
Coinneach) in Ireland takes its name from him. Identical to Irish name
Cainnech; anglicized as Kenneth.
Colin
(KAW-lin)(Gael) "child"; "victory of the people"; or "young cub". Cailean,
Colan, Collin, Coll.
Conan "wise"; Scottish form of the Irish
name. Connor, Conon.
Connell (Celt) "high and mighty".
Conran St. Conran, 7th C. bishop and apostle to Orkney Islands.
Corey (kohr-ee) "ravine"; sometimes translated as "seething pool".
Cori, Cory.
Craig from Gaelic place word creag "crag,
cliff" or "steep rock"; "crag dweller" or "from near the crag". Also used as a
surname. Craigen, Kraig, Craggie.
Crannog "lake dweller".
Criostal (KREE-uh-stuhl) Gaelic form of Christopher.
Produced Scottish surnames, Chrystal, Cristal, and MacCristal.
Crμsdean "Christ-bearer". Gaelic form of Christopher.
Cullen "young animal, handsome".
Culloden personal
name from the placename of Culloden, meaning "from the nook of the marsh".
Dabhaidh (DA-ee-vee or DAEE-vee) "beloved"; Gaelic form of
David. St. David, son of King Malcolm III and Queen Margaret, was King of
Scots from 1124-53. Daibhidh.
Dallas Scots-Gaelic for "from
the waterfall"; name of a town in Scotland and used as a personal name.
Dallieass, Dallis, Dalys.
Dalziel "small field". Daziel,
Dalyell.
Damh "ox". Daimh.
Dΰnaidh
Danny.
Darach from the Gaelic word for "oak".
Davis "David's son". Dave, Davidson, MacDaibhidh.
Deargh from a Gaelic word for "red".
Denholm place
name; prob. Denholm, Scotland, otherwise unknown.
Derek (OGer)
"people's ruler". Dirk, Derrick.
Diarmad (DYEER-muht) from
Old Irish Diarmait, "sorrow". Early Irish literature, Scottish and Irish ballads
and folktales, Diarmaid was a member of the warrior band of Finn mac Cumaill.
Diarmaid had a love spot on his face that made women fall instantly in love with
him. Clan Campbell traces its ancestry to one Diarmid O'Duibne. Dermot.
Doire "from the grove". Dhoire.
Donald from
Gaelic Domhnall (DAW-nuhl) derived fr. Old Irish domnan "world" +
gal "valor"; "brown or dark"; or "proud ruler". Donald was an early
Scottish royal name; Clan Donald, most powerful Highland clan, took the name
from a 15th C. Donald, grandson of Somerled, Lord of the Isles. Don, Donn,
Donall, Donalt, Donaugh, Donel, Donell, Dςmhnull, Dςmhnall, Dςmhnal
(DAW-ull), Donaidh (Donnie).
Donnan Fr. Old Irish
donn meaning "brown" or "chief" + dim. -an. Name of 7th C. abbot
of Iona who founded many churches in Scotland.
Donnchadh
(DON-ah-choo) old Gaelic spelling of Duncan, meaning "dark-skinned
stranger" or "dark-skinned warrior".
Dorrell "king's doorkeeper".
Dougal Gaelic Dubhghlas (DOO-luhs) Fr. Old Irish dubh
"dark" + glas "green or blue". Common Celtic river name surviving as the
rivers Douglas in Ireland and Scotland, Dulas in Wales, and Dawlish, Dowles and
Divelish in England. Douglas, Dugall, Doughald, Dougald (DOO-gald),
Dωghall (DOO-ull), Dωghlas (DOOG-lass).
Douglas "from
the dark water"; "dark river or stream" or "dark blue-green". Scotland, Ireland,
and Wales all have a river of this name. Dubhghlas (DOOG-lass). *see
Dougal.
Drummond "druid's mountain"; "at the ridge"; or from a
surname based on a clan name that is derived from the name of the village of
Drymen in Sterlingshire; used as a name in Scotland since the 13th C.
Duer "heroic".
Duff "dark". Dubh.
Duncan Gaelic Donnchadh (DOO-nuh-xuh) from Old Irish
donn "brown" or "chief" + cath "warrior" = "dark-skinned warrior".
Fr. a surname based on a clan name. Duncan was the name of two early Kings of
the Scots: Duncan I in the 11th C. was immortalized by Shakespeare's MacBeth;
Clan Donnchadh (the Robertsons) claims Donnchadh Reamhar (Duncan the Stout) as
its name ancestor. Donnchadh, Donnachadh, Dunn, Dune.
Dunham
from the Gaelic word for "brown".
Dunlop "muddy hill".
Dunmore "fortress on the hill".
Durell "king's
doorkeeper". Dorrell, Durial, Durrell.
Eachann (EU-chun) "steadfast". Scottish form of Hector.
Eanruig "rules the home". Scottish form of Henry. Eanraig.
Ear derived from the Gaelic meaning "from the east".
Edan "fire".
Eideard (AE-jard) "wealthy guardian";
Gaelic form of Edward.
Eilig from a word meaning "from the
deer pass".
Ennis an alternate form of Angus.
Eςghann (YOE-wun) "youth". Gaelic spelling of Ewan.
Eonan (YOE-wun or YOH-nuhn) "youth"; from Old Irish name Adamnan,
"little Adam". St. Adamnan (d. 704) was abbot of a monastery of Iona in
Scotland; his writings contain the first mention of the Loch Ness Monster.
Eςsaph Scottish form of Joseph.
Erskine "from
the height of the cliff" or "dweller of the top of the cliff"; from a clan name
based on the name of a place on the banks of the Clyde, near Glasgow. Derivation
is uncertain. Kinny, Kin.
Ervin (Gael) "beautiful".
Evan either "young warrior" or "right-handed".
Ewan
Gaelic Eoghann (YOH-uhn) Fr. Old Irish name Eogan "born of the yew tree":
eo "yew" + gein "birth" = "born of the yew tree". Traditional clan
name, including Clan Campbell and Clan Chattan. Ewen of Locheil, chief of Clan
Cameron, was a celebrated opponent of Oliver Cromwell. Ewen, Euen, Euan,
Ewhen, Owen, anglicized as Hugh.
Faing "from the sheep pen". Fang.
Farquhar
Gaelic Fearchar (FER-uh-xuhr or FER-a-char) Fr. Old Irish
fer "man" + cara "friendly"; "friendly man"; "one especially
dear"; "strong man". King Ferchar the Long, of Lorne (d. 697), was ancestor of
the Chattan and Farquarson clans. Faarquar, Farquharson, Ferchar.
Feandan "from the narrow glen".
Fearghas
(FER-uh-guhsh) "of manly strength" or "dear one"; fr. Old Irish fer "man"
+ gus "strength, vigor"; or "first choice". Fergus mac Eirc is considered
the ancestor of the Gaels. Fergus.
Fergusson "son of
Fergus". Ferguson.
Fife from a surname der. from the name of
ancient kingdom in eastern Scotland. Some claim the name is from Fib, the name
of one of the seven sons of Cruithne, the legendary ancestor of the Pictish
race. Fyfe, Fibh.
Fingal from Old Irish finn "bright,
fair" + gall "stranger". J. Macpherson transformed the Irish and Scottish
folk hero Finn mac Cumaill into a Scottish king named Fingal in his Ossianic
poems.
Fionnlagh (FYOOHN-ee-loo or FYON-lax) fr. Old Irish
finn "bright, fair" + laoch "warrior"; "fair hero". Finlay,
Finley, Findlay.
Firth from the placename, meanings "arm of the
sea".
Forbeis (FOR-bish) "headstrong". Clan name fr. the Gaelic
place word forba "field" + suffix of location -ais. Forbes.
Fordyce from a surname based on a place in Banffshire.
Frang (FRANG-g) form of the Teutonic name Frank, meaning
"free".
Fraser "strawberry fields"; from French surname de
Frisselle, brought to Scotland by Normans in 13th C. The French word for
strawberries is "fraise", and there are strawberry plants are on the Fraser coat
of arms.
Gabhran (GAHV-ruhn) Gaelic for "little goat"; an ancient Scottish
name, borne by a grandson of Fergus mac Erc.
Gair from a word
meaning "short". Gare.
Gavin "white hawk"; popular in the
Middle Ages, as Gawain in England, and Gauvain in France; in Arthurian legends
and literature, Gawain was one of the boldest knights of the Round Table; Gavin
Dunbar was Archbishop of Glasgow and Chancellor of Scotland in the 16th C., and
est'd the first National Court of Justice. Gilchrist Fr. Gaelic Gille Criosd
(gil-yuh-KREE-uhst) meaning "servant of Christ"; esp. popular in the Middle
Ages. Gawain, Gawen, Gaven.
Geordan Scottish form of
Gordon.
Geordie (Gr) "farmer"; form of George.
Seςras.
Gilchrist modern spelling of Gille Criosd,
"servant of Christ".
Gillanders Gaelic Gille Anndrais
(gil-yuh OWN-drish), "servant of St. Andrew".
Gilleabart "pledge".
Gillean (GIL-yan) Gaelic Gilla Eoin (gil-yuh YOWN), "servant
of (St.) John". The Clan Maclean (son of Gillean) takes its name from the 13th
C. warrior, Gillean of the Battle Axe; Gillean is not to be confused with the
English woman's name Gillian (Jillian), fr. Juliana.
Gilleasbuig
(GEEL-yes-pick) "genuine or bold"; variant of Old German Archibald.
Gillecroids from the Gaelic word for "Christ-bearer" or "servant of
Christ".
Gillespie Gaelic Gilleasbuig (gil-yuh-IS-pik)
"servant of a bishop"; traditional first name among the Campbells.
Gillis Gaelic Gille Iosa (gil-yuh EE-uh-suh) "servant of
Jesus"; traditional first name in the Hebrides.
Gillivray "servant
of judgment".
Gleann (Gael) from gleann "valley"; male or
female name. Glen, Glenn.
Glendan (Gael) place name for
"settlement in the glen" or "fortress in the glen". Glendon, Glenden.
Goraidh from a Celtic word for "peaceful".
Gordon
(GORSH-tuhn) from clan name based on a place name in Berwickshire, perhaps der.
fr. British gor "great" + din "hill-fort"; possibly also "hero" or
"from the cornered hill". Geordan, Gordie, Gordy, Gςrdon.
Gow
(Gael) "a smith".
Gowan from Gaelic gobha "a smith";
blacksmiths were VIP's in early Celtic culture, often having an aura of magic
about them. Gow, Gobha.
Graham from an Anglo-Saxon word for
"warlike". Greum, Graeme, Gram "grain".
Grant (L) "great".
Greer from a Scottish surname, a contraction of the name
Gregor.
Gregory (Gr) "vigilant".
Griogair
(GRI-kuhr) Gaelic form of the name of St. Gregory of Tours, France; name was
brought to Scotland by the Norman French and widely used in the Middle Ages, and
meant "vigilant"; derived from greigh "a flock or herd"; all forms of
this name were officially banned for most of the 17th and 18th C.'s for alleged
misdeeds of some clan members. Gregor.
Gunn from the
Norse-Viking word for "warrior"; possibly "white".
Hamish (HAY-mish) Gaelic form of James.
Harailt
Scottish form of an Old Norse word for "leader".
Hearn shortened
form of Ahearn, which means "lord of the horses".
Henson
"Henry's son"; surname adopted as a first name. Henderson.
Home "from the cave". Hume.
Hugh (Teut)
"intelligence, spirit"; English name from German root hugi "heart, mind";
traditionally used in Scotland to anglicize the Gaelic names Eoghann,
Uisdeann, Aodh.
Iain (ee-AYN or EE-an) "God's gracious gift"; Gaelic form of
John. Ian, Iaian, Ianv.
Innes from Gaelic word for "island";
first a surname and clan name, then first name, male or female.
Iomhair (EE-uh-var) from the Teutonic name Ivor, "archer". Ivar,
Iver, Ivor.
Ivar from Gaelic form, Iomhair (EE-uh-vuhr),
of the Old Norse Ivarr, meaning "yew tree army"; traditional first name in clan
Campbell of Strachur, and also the source of the surname MacIver. Ivor.
Jamie (H) "the supplanter"; Scottish variation of James and
Seumas.
Jocelin Dim. form of Breton saint's name, Josse.
Norman French brought to Scotland in the 12th C. Joselin, Joslin.
Jock (H) "the supplanter"; older Scottish form of James and
Seumas. Jack, Seoc.
Eςin Scottish verstion of Jonathan.
Johnathan, Jonathon.
Kade "wetlands".
Keddy Scottish form of Adam.
Keir from a clan name, der. from the Old Irish ciar "dark".
Keith as a personal name it means "the battle place"; from a
surname, based on the place name, Ceiteach, in East Lothian.
Kendrew
Scottish form of Andrew.
Kendrick from a word meaning "son
of Henry"; or "royal chieftain".
Kennan "little Ken".
Kennedy from Old Irish name Cennetig: cenn "head" +
etig "ugly"; ; or "helmeted chief"; mostly associated with Ireland, it
has been used consistently in Scotland as a family name and first name since the
12th C.
Kentigern from Old Irish cenn "head" + tigern
"lord". The 6th C. St. Kentigern is the patron saint of Glasgow; he was said to
be the son of Owein ap* Urien, an early Welsh hero of the Old North.
Kenzie "wise leader"; related to the clan name Mackenzie.
Kermichil from a Gaelic word meaning "from Michael's fortress".
Kincaid "battle chief".
Kinnon "fair-born".
Kirk Scottish word for "church". Kerk.
Kyle
from a surname based on the Gaelic word caol "narrow", the name of a
strait in Ayrshire.
Lachlan "belligerant"; from Lachlann (LAKH-luhn or LAX-luhn) a
Gaelic word formerly used to designate the "land of the Vikings" or "land of
lakes or fjords"; the Maclachlans take their name from Lachlan Mor (Big Lachlan)
a chief who lived near Loch Fryne in the 13th C. Lachlann, Laochailan.
Lailoken name of a Scottish prophet who was driven partially mad by
his gift; some author's claim Merlin's story was based on his life.
Laird "wealthy landowner".
Lawren "crowned with
laurel". Lawrence.
Leith "broad river". Leathan.
Lennox "with many elms" or "from the field of elm trees".
Leod Norse-Viking name adopted by Scots, meaning "ugly". The Clan
MacLeod claims the Viking Chief Leod as their ancestor.
Leslie
Poss. fr. Celtic lis "court" + celyn "holly"; possibly "(from the)
gray fortress" or "small meadow". Usu. spelled Lesley for a woman, Leslie for a
man. Lesley.
Logan from Gaelic place word lag
"hollow" + dim. suffix -an; "from the little hollow". Logan is used as
the name of several places in Scotland, and has been a surname since the 12th C.
and a very popular name in recent years.
Lorne from a place name in
Argyll; Loarn was the name of one of the three sons of the legendary first Gael
to arrive in Scotland from Ireland.
Lulach (LOO-luhx) An old
Scottish royal name, meaning "little calf" in Gaelic, borne by the stepson of
Macbeth, who lived in the 11th C.
Lundy (Scottish) place name for
"grove near the island. " Lundie.
Luthias "famous warrior".
Lyall "loyal".
Mac "son of..."; used as a nickname for names beginning with Mac or
Mc. Mack, Max.
Macadam "son of Adam".
Macaulay
"son of righteousness"; from a surname derived fr. the first name Aulay
"son of Aulay".
Macdonald "Son of Donald"; an important clan name,
often used in Scotland as a first name.
Machar -"plain".
Machair.
Maelcoluim from Old Irish mael "devotee" +
Colm, fr. Latin columba "dove"; or "servant of St. Columba". Colm Cille
was the Irish name of the most important early St. in Scotland, known also by
the Latin name Columba, who founded the monastery on Iona, and converted the
Pictish kings of Scotland; three medieval kings of the Scots bore the name
Malcolm. Malcolm.
Manius form of Norse-Viking Magnus,
meaning "great". Manus.
Maoilios Scottish form of
Myles.
Maolmuire "servant of Mary"; or "dark-skinned".
Mark Marc.
Mαrtainn (MAWR-tunn) "warlike";
Gaelic form of Martin. Mΰrtain (MAWR-tun), Martainn
(MAR-tunn).
Mata Scottish form of Matthew.
Micheil (MEECH-yell or MEE-hyel) "who is like God"; Gaelic form of
Micheal.
Mirren Modern form of the name of 6th C. St.
Meadhran, who was active in Strathclydel; Mirren is the patron saint of
football.
Mochridhe - from the Gaelic chriedh meaning "my
heart".
Moncreiffe "from the hill of the sacred bough".
Montgomery Name of a Scottish clan descended from Robert de
Montgomerie; name comes from a French name which in turn is based on a German
name, thus it contains the French mont "hill" and the German guma
"man" + ric "power".
Morgan "sea warrior" or "from the sea".
Morven from a Gaelic word meaning "mariner". Morvin.
Muir (MYOOR) A surname based on the Gaelic place name muir
"a moor" or "marshland".
Murdoch (Murdo-archaic) "sea protector" or
"sea fighter". Murdo, Murchadh.
Muirfinn "dweller by the
shining sea".
Mungo Nickname of Kentigern, patron saint of Glasgow,
from Old Irish mo "my" + cu "hound, wolf", also possibly
"amiable"; long used as a man's first name.
Munro from clan name
Mac An Rothaich, derived fr. the Gaelic name Rothach meaning "a person from Ro".
The Munros are descendants of a family that came from a place near the river Roe
in Derry, Ireland. Monroe, Monro, Munroe.
Murchadh
(MOOR-uh-choo or MOOR-uhx) from Old Irish muir "sea" + cath
"warrior"; also possibly "wealthy sailor", "sea protector" or "sea fighter".
Murdo, Murdoch, Murtagh, Murtaugh.
Murry "sailor" or "man of
the sea"; from a clan name. MacMurray, Moray, Murry, Morogh.
Nab from a Gaelic word for "abbot".
Nairn "river with
alder trees".
Naomhin (NUH-veen) fr. naomh "saint". This is
a traditional first name in Galloway and Ayreshire. Nevin.
Nathair from the Celtic word nathdrack "snake".
Naughton "pure". Nachton, Nechtan.
Nealcail
from Gaelic words meaning "victorious people".
Niall (NEEL or
NYEE-all) An Old Irish name, prob. derived from nel "cloud"; or
"champion". Clan MacNeill traces its ancestry to Anrothan, an Irish prince who
married a Scottish princess in the 11th C. Anrothan was descended from Irish
high king, Niall Naighiallach (Niall of the Nine Hostages), who was claimed as
ancestors also by the Irish O'Neill's.
Neacal (NEK-uhl) "victory of
the people". Nicholas, Nicol, Niocal (NIK-ul).
Niels
"champion"; from Niall. Neil.
Oidhche from a word meaning "night".
Ossian (UH-sheen)
from the Old Irish name Oisin "little deer or fawn". This character of Irish
legend was transformed into a Scottish hero in J. Macpherson's Ossianic poems.
Pαdruig (PAH-dreek or PA-trik ) "noble"; the ancient origin meaning
translates to "stone" or "anchor stone". Scottish form of the Irish name Padraig
(PAH-dreek), and English Patrick. Pαdraig, Pahdraig, Padyn, Paton, Padan.
Parlan Gaelic form of Old Irish name Partholon. This name is the
source of the surnames Macfarland and Macfarlane.
Parthalαn
Scottish Gaelic form of Bartholomew.
Payton (L) "noble";
dim. of Patrick. Paton, Peyton.
Peadair (PED-dur or
PAY-tuhr) "(the) stone"; Gaelic form of Peter. Peadar.
Perth
"thornbush" or "thicket".
Pςl (PAHL) "little"; Gaelic form of
Paul.
Pony "small horse".
Rae from an Old French word meaning "king".
Raghnall
(REU-ull or RUHLL) "wise power"; Scottish form of Teutonic Ronald.
Raibeart (RAB-burt or RAH-bercht) "of shining fame"; Gaelic form of
Robert. Clan Robertson takes its name from Robert Riach (Grizzly Robert)
who lived in the 15th C. Raibert; nicknames are Rab, Rabbie.
Ranald from Gaelic Raghnall (RUHLL), from Norse name Rognvaldr
"power, might". A traditional name among the men of the MacDonald clan.
Ronald.
Rob Roy anglicized form of Rob Ruadh, "red
Rob".
Ronald (Teut) "wise power" or "king's advisor"; form of
Ranald. Ronal, Ronnold, Ranald, Raghnall.
Ronan from Old
Irish ron "seal" + dim. suffix -an. An early St. Ronan, bishop of
Kilmaronen in Lennox, was said to have driven out the devil out of the valley of
Innerleithen. Renan, Ronat.
Ronson "son of Ronald".
Ronaldson.
Rory Gaelic Ruairidh (ROO-uh-ree) from Gaelic
ruadh "red".
Roslin (Gael) "little redhead".
Ross
from Gaelic place word ros "upland, promontory". Ross has been used as
a first name in Scotland since the 12th C. Rosse, Rossell.
Rosse (Gael) "headland". Rossell.
Roy (ScGael)
from the Galeic word ruadh "red".
Ruairidh (RO-urree)
Scottish form of Teutonic name Roderick, "famous ruler". Ruairdh
(same pronun.).
Ryan (Gael) from a Gaelic word meaning "little
king; strong".
Sandy "defender of man". Nickname for Alexander.
Scott
"a Scotsman" or "from Scotland". Scot.
Scrymgeour "fighter".
Seςras (SHAW-russ) Scottish form of George, "farmer".
Seumas (SHAY-muhs) "the supplanter" or "substitute"; Gaelic form of
James. See also Hamish, derived from the genitive case of Seumas.
Sholto from Gaelic sioltaich "propagator". A traditional
first name among the Douglases.
Simon "listener"; Hebrew name long
used in Scotland. Associated with Clan Fraser. The chief of Clan Fraser of Lovat
is called MacShimi "Son of Simon". Simeon, Symon; nicknames include
Sim, Sym, Syme.
Somairhle (SOH-uhr-lyuh), from Old Norse
summarliethi, "one who goes forth in the summer" (i.e. a Viking), or "a
Viking raider". Anglicized as Sorley. Vikings would spend autumn and
winter on the Isle of Man, then raid nearby Coasts of Scotland and Ireland in
spring and summer. 11th C. chief of Clan Donald, Somerled, Lord of the Isles was
half-Gaelic, half-Norse and ruled the Isle of Man, southern Hebrides and Argyll.
Somerled, Sorley, Sorely, Samuel.
Stewart (A.S.) "caretaker
or steward". Originally an occupational name, borne by keepers of the Scottish
royal house. Later changed to a hereditary family name, then became a royal name
as the House of Stuart ruled Scotland in 1371, and England from 1603-1714.
Occasionally used as a girl's first name. Stiubhart, Stuart.
Stratton "river valley town".
Struan (STROO-uhn) Prob.
from Gaelic struan "stream". Once a common name among the men of Clan
Donnchaidh (Robertsons), who owned lands of Struan in Perthshire.
Sutherland "southern land"; Norse-Viking name used by the Scots.
Tavish "a twin"; form of Thomas. Tavis, Tavey, Tevis, Tevish,
Tamnais.
Tearlach (TCHAR-lokh or CHAR-luhx) Gaelic
"well-shaped", "full-grown" or "manly". Popular name among the Stewarts. Often
anglicized as the unrelated name Charles, which means "strong and manly".
Todd "fox".
Tςmas (TO-mass or TAW-muhs) "twin"; Gaelic
form of Thomas. Tamhas, Tςmas, Tamlane (archaic).
Tormod
(TOR-ro-mit) "from the north"; Scots-Gaelic form of Teutonic Norman.
Torquil "Thor's kettle"; from Gaelic Torcaill (THOR-kil) fr.
Norse name based on the god Thor. Torquil was the name of the founder of Clan
MacLeod of Lewis, and a popular name for the men of that clan. Torcuil,
Torkill.
Tremaine "house of stone".
Tyree from a
Gaelic word meaning "island dweller". Tyrae, Tyrai, Tyrea.
Uilleam (OOL-yam or OOL-yuhm) "resolute soldier"; Gaelic form of
William, brought to Scotland in the Middle Ages by Norman French
companions of William the Conquerer. Liam is the Irish form of the name and
popular in Scotland also.
Uisdean (OOSH-jan or OOS-juhn)
"intelligent", "spirit"; Gaelic form of Hugh, also possibly from
Austin and/or Augustine.
Urquhart Scottish form of Old
English name meaning "from the fount on the knoll".
Wallace Origin is Anglo-Saxon word walas or wealas "a
Celt" or "a stranger", source also of the words Wales and Welsh. First used as a
surname in the border regions of Scotland, then used as a first name in memory
of national hero William Wallace, who was executed by English authorities in
1305. Wallis.
Wyndham "village near the winding road".