Lyn, I don't know if this is what you need to know but -- according to "The Oxford Mini-Dictionary of First Names": "Archibald: Norman French: of Germanic origin, composed of the elements 'ercan' = genuine + 'bald' = brave. It has always been largely associated with Scotland, where it was taken, surprisingly enough, as an Anglicized form of 'Gillespie' (Gaelic 'Gille-easpuig', = Servant of the Bishop)" (p.21) Hope this is of some help! Amy (in British Columbia, Canada)