Posted on: Buteshire Scotland Queries Board URL: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/Scotland/Bute?read=368 Surname: ------------------------- Searching for additional information and source materials on this extended family which went by several names from 1650 on (the Isle of) Bute - McIlchattan, McGilchattan (unique surname in Scotland exclusive to this family and the Isle), Toish, Tosh. Have detailed notes, charts and name index resources to compare and share w/ serious researchers. Includes main families 1) of Ardmaleish 2) of Dunalunt 3) of Kilbride (Farmstead) 4) McAlister/Gilchrist 5) Stewart/Lamont of St Colmac. McIlchattan early incomers from various Argyll locales and appears sporadically to 1720's when standardized to McGilchattan which had been used by at least one family since c1650. McGilchattan last used in April 1794 but had been in decline since mid-century when the gaels were transforming into modern Scots. Transitional names Toish (the gaelic version) and Tosh were first used in 1749 and last in 1803. McIntosh begins with Elspeth b 10 Jan 1760 but did not come into general use until the late 1770's-early 1880's. A good example of this transformation is my 4x great uncle who was christened Niel Tosh (l759), married as Niel McGilchattan (l790) but lived the last 60 years of his life as Neil McIntosh and is buried (in R Cem 1853) as such without any reference to his prior identities. In only a very few families is there seen a consistent pattern of surname 'evolution', generally it swings back and forth (and sideways!) within the same family and siblings. I am also working on many related Bute families and direct ancestors: Glass, Bannatyne, McCurdy, Crawford etc.