Part III has been added to the information unfolding on the subject surnames. To view the web site, click on the following link: <A HREF="http://www.discribe.ca/artans/official/MacTavish/PartIII.html">A Noble Past - A Glorious Future</A> Many of our kin in North America have always thought that the surname of Thompson was English. They are many times amazed to find out that it is actually Scottish. Thomson is the Highland spelling and Thompson is the Lowland spelling. Thom(p)son is a variant spelling of MacTavish, which is Clan MacTamhais (MacTamhais - the "son of Thomas"). Clan MacTamhais (MacTamhais is Gaelic for MacTavish) is an proud and ancient Highland Clan, having its roots in the Western Highlands in the very womb of Scotland. Thom(p)sons and MacTavish are the same name. This is not to say that all of the name of Thom(p)son are of the same Clan. That would be found in your own family genealogy. Official web site for Clan MacTamhais (MacTavish) can be found at the following link: <A HREF="http://www.mactavish.org">Clan MacTamhais</A> The surname of Todd is a sept of Clan MacTamhais, although it is important to note that Todd is a split Clan - either Clan MacTamhais or Clan Gordon. Stevens/Stevenson (and variant spellings) are a sept of Clan MacTamhais. Another surname which is a variant/corrupted spelling from MacTamhais is CASH. Variant spellings (or corrupted spellings) of MacCamish (a corrupted spelling of MacTamhais): CASH, MACASH, MACCAISH(e), MACCASH, MACAVISH, MACCAUSE, MACCAVISH, MACCAWS, MACCAWIS, KASH, MACKAVISH, M'ASH, and others. That is not to say that ALL of those with the surname of CASH come from the same place. That would be found in the research of your own genealogy. However, according to records that I have seen, the surname of Cash comes from MacCamish and MacCamish is a corrupted form of MacTamhais, which is Gaelic for MacTavish. They originated in the western Highlands (in Argyll). One source you might want to read is: Surnames of Scotland by Professor George F. Black (NOTE: G. means Gaelic. I have included the page number in the book that each item is found on.) MACASH. An uncommon form of MacCash, q.v. (pg. 455) MACAVISH, MacCause, MacCavish, MacCawis, MacCaws. In G. MacThamhais, son of "Tammas", the Scottish form of Thomas. (p. 456) MACCAISH (curr.). See under MacCash. (p. 462) MACCASH, MaCash, MacCaish. Perthshire surnames, probably contracted forms of MacTavish, q.v. John M'Ash, sheriff mair in Crieff, c. 1700, was son of Duncan M'Ash in Monyvaird. Marion M'Cash died in 1598. Hector McCaishe was one of those holding the castle of Dunivaig against Bishop Knox, 1616 (or 1614). Findlay McCaish in Auchnafrie, Glenalmon, 1662, and Donald M'Caish in East Lethendee, Glenalmon, 1682. Andrew M'Cais in Tombae, parish of Callender, 1666. (pg. 466) MACTAVISH. From G. Mac Tamhais, a form of MacThamhais, 'son of Tammas,' the Lowland Scots form of Thomas. Mactavishes are numerous in Argyllshire. The Craignish MS. Says the MacTavishes or Clan Tavish of Dunardarie descend from Tavis Corr. Doncan M'Thamais was one of those cited in 1355 to give evidence regarding the lands of Glassre in Argyllshire (HP., II, p. 139). Duncan McTawisch was tenant of half of Kernach, Strogartnay, 1480 (ER, IX, p. 564). Donald duin Mc tawys made reversion to Evar Campbell of Strouquhour, 1488 (HP., IV, p. 20). Thomas McTaevis, charter witness at Kenaach, 1515 (HP., IV, p. 24), Alexander M'taus in 1589 had custody of Ellanwirrich as constable (Wardlaw, p. 184). The Mactavishes of Stratherrick are considered a sept of the Frasers. M'Taveis 1672, McThavish 1676. (pg. 566) I hope this is of some help to your researching the root of your name, as typed above. In kinship, MacCamishTDC