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ArchivesWhat does my name mean and where did it come from?
I have recently had a gaining interest in finding the orgin of my name. My father was born and raised in Colombia and his father was from Venezula. However, from the information I have gathered, my last name does not have a spanish origin. As many people might realize the original spanish version of D'Leon was spelled DeLeon. After speaking with family, I have found that my ancestors were actually from Ireland. Therefore we believe the name is a translation of an originally Irish name. If anyone has any information it would be appreciated! Thanks!
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The surnames "Leon", "Lyon", etc., are usually taken to mean "lion". However, when known to have sprung from Irish origins, these names are then said to be derived from anglicized forms of the Gaelic name: "Ó Liathain", which means "descendant of Liathan" -- "Liathan" being a personal name formed from "liath", meaning "grey". The Irish surname of "Lehane" also shares this origin.
Perhaps the D' was added to your family name and the spelling altered slightly during the years your family lived in Colombia and Venezuela?
-- Nanaea
Perhaps the D' was added to your family name and the spelling altered slightly during the years your family lived in Colombia and Venezuela?
-- Nanaea
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Btw... Daividh knows a lot about Celtic names. If he's around tonight, maybe he might have additional or different info for you.
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Thanks so much for all the information. How can I get ahold of Davidh?
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Hey Stewart,
Not sure how much help I'm gonna be, but I have one possibility for you. Of course, we have to overcome the fact that D'Leon is a legit Spanish surname in Venezuela (notably Oscar D'Leon, the salsa music guy) and elsewhere in central/south America. And maybe that's the true origin of your name; but you have reason, apparently, to think otherwise.
If we go with the Irish connection, we stumble on the coincidence that "leon" means "lion" in Irish Gaelic as well as in Spanish. But if it occurs as a surname in Ireland, it's pretty obscure.
I'd put my money on a common Irish surname, that upon sight anyone might translate into a form of "leon" in Spanish. That surname is Lyons.
Lyons comes not from "lion" or "leon" but from one of two ancient Irish patronymic ("son of") names, either O Liathain (County Cork) or O Liaghin (County Galway). Liaghin derives from laighean, "gray". Not a clue what Liathain means (Phyllis?).
Anyway, if I had to pick an Irish name that was translated into D'Leon once in Venezuela, I think Lyons is the most likely.
Like I said, a possibility. Hope that helps.
- Daividh
Not sure how much help I'm gonna be, but I have one possibility for you. Of course, we have to overcome the fact that D'Leon is a legit Spanish surname in Venezuela (notably Oscar D'Leon, the salsa music guy) and elsewhere in central/south America. And maybe that's the true origin of your name; but you have reason, apparently, to think otherwise.
If we go with the Irish connection, we stumble on the coincidence that "leon" means "lion" in Irish Gaelic as well as in Spanish. But if it occurs as a surname in Ireland, it's pretty obscure.
I'd put my money on a common Irish surname, that upon sight anyone might translate into a form of "leon" in Spanish. That surname is Lyons.
Lyons comes not from "lion" or "leon" but from one of two ancient Irish patronymic ("son of") names, either O Liathain (County Cork) or O Liaghin (County Galway). Liaghin derives from laighean, "gray". Not a clue what Liathain means (Phyllis?).
Anyway, if I had to pick an Irish name that was translated into D'Leon once in Venezuela, I think Lyons is the most likely.
Like I said, a possibility. Hope that helps.
- Daividh
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Gotta knock on a few heads, er, doors over in the Center for Celtic Studies department (there might be a couple of Gaelic speakers over there but since it is the Winter Break, I'm not sure). Otherwise, I'll pop on over to the Conradh na Gaelige meeting next Tuesday and ask.
Phyllis (aka Sidhe Uaine or Gaia Euphoria)
Phyllis (aka Sidhe Uaine or Gaia Euphoria)
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He'll drop by sooner or later. Just keep checking the board.
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Hey, Nan. Just curious: what's the current status of "Haunting Adrian"? They gonna start filming this coming year?
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The producer has now signed on the William Morris agency to do the casting, as the Money Men weren't happy with the choice of Julia Stiles. The problem is that they've got to get a teen male and teen female pair for the movie, so I dunno how long it'll be before things get moving again.
When this thing finally gets produced, we'll send ya a ticket to it, Daividh! :)
-- Nanaea
When this thing finally gets produced, we'll send ya a ticket to it, Daividh! :)
-- Nanaea
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Thanx for the update. I love movies (especially FREE ones)
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Thanx for the update. I love movies (especially FREE ones). ntcoming year?
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shee-it... : (
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