This was from another list I maintain. Thought someone would be interested. L ----- Original Message ----- From: Paul McCarty <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 1999 6:35 AM Subject: Re: [SC-Genealogy-L] (3) Re: patronymics > > > Some clarification on Gaelic and Irish names. > > "Fitz" as used by the Irish means "son of" , the same with the Gaelic word > "Mac". "Mac is the correct spelling whether in Ireland or Scotland. "O" is > an Irish word and means "grandson of" There should not be an apostrophe > after the "O". The apostrophe was added when the Irish surnames were > Anglicized by the English. They thought the "O" was an abbreviation for > something. They also corrupted the spelling of "Mac". > > The Irish spelling of my surname is Mac Carthaigh, which the English spelled > both McCarthy and McCarty. > > Irish surnames are ancient. They were among the first if not the first > people to adopt surnames. > > Paul > > > _______________________________________________________________ > Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com > > > ==== SC-Genealogy Mailing List ==== > One of many fine mail lists dealing with South Carolina! > List Maintainer: [email protected] > > >