DESJARDINS (French) Cognate of the English "GARDENER", normally a cultivator of edible produce in an orchard or kitchen garden, rather than a tender of ornamental lawn and flower beds. Comes from the Middle English and Old Northern French "gardin" (garden), a diminutive of "gard" (enclosure), which itself is of Germanic origin. McINTYRE/McENTIRE (Scots.) Anglicized form of Gaelic 'Mac an Toisich' (son of the carpenter or mason). Variations: McInteer, McEnteer, McAteer, McCateer, McTear, McTier, Matier, Mateer, Tear(e), Tier, Tyr(i)e McGILL (Scots., Irish) Patronym of "GALL, GAUL(E), GAW", a nickname, of Celtic origin, meaning "foreigner" or "stranger". In the Scot. highlands the Gaelic term 'gall' was applied to people from the English-speaking lowlands and to Scandinavians. In Ireland the same term was applied to settlers who arrived from Wales and England in the wake of the Anglo-Norman invasion. The surname is also found at an early date in Lincolnshire, where it apparently has a Breton origin, having been introduced by Breton followers of the Norman Conquerors. FELTHAM (English) Habitation name from places SW of London and in Somerset. The former is so called from Old English 'feld' (pasture, open country) + 'ham' (homestead); the latter from Old English words meaning 'hay' + 'water meadow'. WHEADON - Found: \ WHEATON (English) Of uncertain origin, apparently a habitation name, perhaps from an unidentified place named with the Old English elements meaning "wheat" + "enclosure, settlement". Source: A Dictionary of Surnames by Patrick Hanks and Flavia Hodges CREELMAN - Couldn't find the name as given. But did find "CREEL" and would assume the addition of "MAN" would indicate a servant or retainer of someone by that name. \ CREEL (Irish) Of uncertain origin. Possibly derived from the first name of "Raghailleach". Source: Encyclopedia of American Family Names by H. Amanda Robb and Andrew Chesler Barbara crdonovan wrote: > Hello Everyone, > > I have just subscribed to this list today. I am trying to find out the > meanings and origins of the surnames: > > DESJARDINS > > CREELMAN > > McINTYRE / MacINTYRE / McENTIRE > > McGILL > > FELTHAM > > WHEADON > > I hope someone is able to help me with this. > > Many thanks, > > Cindy Donovan > Nova Scotia > > ============================== > Search over 600 million names at Ancestry.com! > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp