McGall

McGall
This most interesting and ancient surname has two possible derivations. Firstly, it may derive from a nickname of Celtic origins, meaning "foreigner, stranger", from the Old Gaelic word "gall", stranger. In the Highlands of Scotland, the term was applied to people from the English-speaking Lowlands, and to Scandinavians, while in Ireland it was given to settlers who arrived from Wales and England in the aftermath of the nglo- Norman invasion. The surname is also found early in Lincolnshire, where it is of Breton origin, being introduced there by Norman settlers. Secondly, however, the name may derive from a given name derived from the Latin "Gallus", originally from "gallus", cock, which was widespread in Europe during the Middle Ages. In the modern idiom the surname has several spellings including McGall, MacGall, Gall, and Gaw. Its popularity was due to the fame of a 7th Century Irish monk, St. Gall; he established a Christian settlement to the south of Lake Constance, and was taken in Czechoslovakia as "Havel", and Poland as "Gawel". Early examples of the surname include Adam Galle (Warwickshire, 1221), and John Gal and William Gaw (Perthshire, 1334 and 1397, respectively). Andrew Gall was commander of the sloop "Katherine", which operated in the Caribbean region in the late 17th Century (circa 1679). A Coat of Arms granted to the family depicts a silver shield with a black bear sejant rampant with a red muzzle, and the Motto "Patientia vincit" (Patience conquers). The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Walter Galle, which was dated circa 1170, in the "Transcripts of Charters relating to the Gilbertine Houses", Lincolnshire, during the reign of King Henry 11, known as "The Builder of Churches", 1154 -1189. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Surnames reference. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Orange/Newark Tornadoes — Orange Newark Tornadoes Founded 1887 Suspended 1942 1962 Folded 1971 Based in Orange, New Jersey …   Wikipedia

  • Micro switch — A micro switch is a generic term used to refer to an electric switch that is able to be actuated by very little physical force. They are very common due to their low cost and extreme durability, typically greater than 1 million cycles and up to… …   Wikipedia

  • Miniature snap-action switch — Comparison of some different switches. A miniature snap action switch, also trademarked and frequently known as a micro switch, is an electric switch that is actuated by very little physical force, through the use of a tipping point mechanism,… …   Wikipedia

  • McLaren Autosport BRDC Award — The McLaren Autosport BRDC Award is an award set up in 1989 to reward and recognise young racing drivers from the UK.[1] As its names suggest, the award is backed by Formula One team McLaren, motorsport magazine Autosport, and the British Racing… …   Wikipedia

  • Live Celtic Folk Music — Infobox Album Name = Live Celtic Folk Music Type = live Artist = The Battlefield Band Released = February 3, 1998 Recorded = December 13, 1980, at the Winterfolkfestival in Dordrecht, The Netherlands Genre = Celtic Length = 34:37 Label = Munich… …   Wikipedia

  • Deasún Breathnach — (died 2007) was an Irish writer and journalist. He wrote Irish poetry, non fiction, and translations. He was a journalist and sub editor at the Irish Independent. He used the pseudonym Rex McGall for his writing in English at the Irish… …   Wikipedia

  • Bath — ██████████5 % …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Lassie, des amis pour la vie — (Lassie) est un film américain réalisé par Daniel Petrie en 1994. Sommaire 1 Synopsis 2 Fiche technique 3 Distribution 4 Auto …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Lassie des amis pour la vie — Lassie, des amis pour la vie Lassie, des amis pour la vie (Lassie) est un film américain réalisé par Daniel Petrie en 1994. Sommaire 1 Synopsis 2 Fiche technique 3 Distribution 4 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Duluth Kelleys/Eskimos — Duluth Kelleys Duluth Eskimos Founded 1923 Folded 1927 Based in Duluth, Minnesota …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”