Thread: Surnames of Scotland

I have "The Surnames of Scotland" book by George F. Black. If anyone would like to know the history/origin of the Scottish surname(s) you are researching, please let me know.

Hello Milford lass!

As you probably know, Mac means "son of" and a sporran is the purse traditional to the Gaels. So, this would be "son of the purse". Mac, in Irish, can also mean boy. According to George Black:

"In popular tradition the Macsporrans are said to have been hereditary pursebearers (treasurers) to the Lords of the Isles..................Re the tombs on Iona - in the west end is the Tombs of Gilbrid and Paul Sporran, ancient tribes of the MackDonalds. Duncan M'Sparren was one of M'Nachtaine's soldiers shipped at Lochkilchrane for service in France, 1627.

The Irish form of the name is Macsparran. King Malcolm (1005-34) is credited with having a treasurer called Paul na Sporan or Paul of the Purse" . Mac is a gaelic prefix and often wrongly shortened to Mc or M'."

So, your Mcsparran could be of Irisih Gaelic origin or had the spelling changed over the years. There was considerable movement between the Gaels in the Western Isles and Ireland.

Hope this is of some interest!

Hello Ellie!

The Island Clans During Six Centuries

The link about gives an explanation of what a "seannachie" is!

From Blacks - Grant
"Highland seannachies notwithstanding, there is no doubt of the Norman origin of the Grants (ie of the Chiefs) who were introduced by the Bissets on return from their excile of 1242. In England the Bissets and the Grants owned adjoining lands in Nottinghamshire and were intermarried." However, this is going back to the 1200s!
"The earliest reference to the name Grant connected with Scotland is that of Thomas Grant,merchant of the King of Scotland, who on 2nd January was deposed from his office of visor at York Castle. The first Grants recorded in Scotland are Laurentius et Robertus dictus Grant who witnessed a document in 1258 at the Bishops Court in Inverness for John Byset. Sir Laurence was sheriff of Inverness and bailie of Inuerchoich in 1266.The name is preceeed by le ie le Grant up until the 16th century."

Lots more references but not placing them in any particular area of Scotland. Seems largely Highland and with power and money. Also be aware of Graunt and Graunte.

Russells and Scotts coming up!

From Blacks - Scott

"As Scotus means a Gael..... the great border clan of Scott must have been settlers from beyond the Forth. The first of the name recorded, Uchtred filius Scot, bears a good English name (Uhtred). He appears as winess in an inquisition of Earl David c1124 and as witness to the foundation charter of Selkirk c1120. Magister Isaac Sotus winessed charters by Roger, bishop of St Andrews 1202. Ade le Scot held a croft in the vill of Golyn c1221"

So rather than meaning from Scotland, it means a Gael, north of Glasgow and Edinburgh. Although there are (apparently) more Scott's in Northumberland than Scotland so perhaps some of your more recent ancestors originate from there.

Grant coming up!

From Blacks - Russell

"This name is most probably a diminutive of rous ie red. Walter Russell witnessed a charter by Walter filius Alani to the Abbey of Paisley c1164-1177. John, son of Robert Russel of Doncanlaw, granted these lands to the Hospital of Soltre in pure and perpetual alms between 1180-1220. Another Robert Russel of Berwickshire rendered homage in 1296. Andreas dictus Russell was bailie of Aberdeen 1310. William dictus Russelle is mention c 1320. Adam Rossel was received to the King of England's peace in 1321. Jerome Russell, a Greyfriar, was burned at the stake in 1539 for heresy along with John Kennedy in the High Street of Glasgow." Martyrs of the Scottish Reformation

Hope this is interesting to you.

Hello!

Glad it was of interest. If you have anymore names you want lookng up, let me know.

I have a Scott (through marriage) will go and check them!