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Help[Facts] Question about Mackenzie
Hi,
I've always thought that Mackenzie means 'son of wise leader'. But now, this site says:
Mackenzie,
From the Gaelic surname Mac Coinnich, which means "son of Coinneach". Coinneach is an Irish name meaning "handsome".
So what is it now? I tend to believe the last (handsome part)...
Any thoughts?
I've always thought that Mackenzie means 'son of wise leader'. But now, this site says:
Mackenzie,
From the Gaelic surname Mac Coinnich, which means "son of Coinneach". Coinneach is an Irish name meaning "handsome".
So what is it now? I tend to believe the last (handsome part)...
Any thoughts?
1
Replies
Some clarification, Coinneach meant 'comely' originally - I suppose 'handsome' is more accessible or something, though I think that should be changed and if people need to run to their Websters to look up 'comely' then good - perusing a dictionary is becoming a lost art form ;o) In modern Scots Gaelic is cuanna/cuannar, in Irish cuanna which means 'fine' as well as 'handsome'. In modern language, còinneach which looks identical to coinneach actually means 'moss' which in Irish is rendered caonach.
Also coinneach is just Gaelic, not Irish. Scots and Irish Gaelic are closely related but often differ in formation of specific words. The surname form was actually Mac Coinnich, Scottish through and through. The Z in the modern MacKenzie form represents the medieval letter yogh, pronounced as a y glide at the time.
HTH!
Devon
Also coinneach is just Gaelic, not Irish. Scots and Irish Gaelic are closely related but often differ in formation of specific words. The surname form was actually Mac Coinnich, Scottish through and through. The Z in the modern MacKenzie form represents the medieval letter yogh, pronounced as a y glide at the time.
HTH!
Devon
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PS - Good luck on your exams! :o) ~
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Thank you for the explanation! How do you know all that stuff?!?!? you must be smart (or have a good site to refer to hihi)
And thanks for the good-luck-wishes!
And thanks for the good-luck-wishes!
1
I'm writing a book on names of the British Isles so I've got some great resources at my fingertips ;o)
I won't be around much for a bit too - surgery tomorrow afternoon. But I'll probably be about to catch up when you're back amongst the living. Nico's taking his exams in June so he's buried in his room with books also.
Devon
I won't be around much for a bit too - surgery tomorrow afternoon. But I'll probably be about to catch up when you're back amongst the living. Nico's taking his exams in June so he's buried in his room with books also.
Devon
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oh i see...well good luck to the both of you!!!!
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