Have you ever looked up the meaning of your family name? My last name is Kirkpatrick, which literally means Patrick's Church. It is Scotch/Irish and my distant relatives came from Scotland and Ireland. Supposedly, one of my ancestors married a relative of King Edward I of England. This means that 90% of England would have to die off before I could be crowned King of England! Edward I was also known as Edward Longshanks. The same one that was portrayed in the movie Braveheart.
My maiden name is Glenn (spelled Glen when I get back to my ancestors who were born in Ireland) The Celtic meaning is From the Valley.
Hegarty This noble Irish surname is an Anglicized form of the Old Gaelic "O'hEigceartaigh", descendant of Eigceartach, a personal byname meaning "Unjust"
Strats, if you go to Ancestry.com they usually have a free trial period running. That's what I did when they had a 2 week free trial going on. I was also able to find a picture of the family crest.
Smith originates in England, and some of my ancestors were from England. And only about 3 or 4 generations back too From Wikipedia: The name originally derives from smið or smiþ, the Old English term meaning one who works in metal related to the word smitan, the Old English form of smite, which also meant strike (as in early 17th century Biblical English: the verb "to smite" = to hit). I did learn to blacksmith in high school, gotta stay true to the name! LOL
Well my first name, Shahbaz (American spelling of it is: Shabazz) means Royal Arabian Falcon (the King of all birds of prey). It's usually kept and very well cared for by many royal families throughout the Middle-East (as it's a symbol of power), and from time to time used as a trained hunting bird too. And that's because the myth is that such birds of prey get disheartened very quickly in captivity - They hate to be fed, and would rather hunt for their own food. It's actually believed that these birds really take it as a huge personal insult, if they are fed like other animals who are kept as pets... Which is why it is said that these are very proud and high flying birds. And should only be kept by those who truly understand their mental state (and so should let them hunt on their own). Or else it will bring bad luck upon the keeper... In fact, the mental psyche of the mythical Fire Breathing Dragon, is actually based on this bird... For they are said to have their own mind, and make their own choices. And if they agree to become your pets, then it's only because they see you as an equal friend (not as a master). For they are too proud to submit to anyone. Which is why this bird became the symbol for the Independence movement, which ultimately lead to the creation of Pakistan. Popularized by the late poet Dr. Muhammad "Allama" Iqbal (now the national poet of Pakistan). Who is exactly to us, what Friedrich Nietzsche was to the Germans. So the bottom line is that these birds (also called Shaheen) are seen as liberated, and thus totally unrestricted, and with an extremely deep contempt for being told what to do, (specially when it's something that goes against their nature)... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2soDQqH1sPE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHTw8BxU1fk Anyway, my family name (the last sir name), which is Hasan, means 2 different things in Arabic. First meaning, kind of like the exact translation, means "Good" or "Handsome". While according to another type of an interpretation, Hasan means "the benefactor" - As in the person who helps individual people or institutions with finance (specially in times of need). But there is actually a 3rd meaning too, however that is in Hebrew. And since I don't speak nor understand Hebrew, means that I'm not sure what my name stands for in Semitic culture. But considering how similar Middle-Eastern cultures are (with so many common myths and legends), I'm sure it would mean something closely resembling the Arabic meaning... But seriously, what's in a name? I think what we do ourselves, with our time and with our own lives, is what should count as our true recognition.
My maiden name means "nail" in German. My first and middle names mean "truth" and "grace", which I like.
Well, my family hails from Fife, in the 17th century. We don't spell it that way. My family has Generals, Admirals, learned Scholars, scientists, and etc.. My branch of the family became poor, illiterate, sidehill farmers.
Ah, FBG, your side of the family has you to brag about! Great gardener, and a good person with a sense of humor. I'd claim you in a minute!
Thankee kindly Miss Jane. It's comforting to know that folks what you've never met in person, would lay claim to you. 8) Not that I claim to be a great gardener, or a good person.
My family has a lot of interesting characters too. On Mother's side, we have engineers, ministers, teachers, lawyers, farmers, writers/editors, etc. On Daddy's side, we have aldermen, horse breeders, priests, nuns, bootleggers, clerical/social workers, hotel owners, buyers of iron ore for factories/world travelers, soldiers, and others.
