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ArchivesThe Real Origin of Gavin
Hello everyone,
My name is Gavin, and I am curious about a question I have for the origin of the name Gavin, I am currently writing a paper about my idea and I would love to have other opinions...or...maybe some helpful information.
To date, when we look for the origin of the name Gavin we are given a story that says the origin of the name is not known, but a Celtic origin with a reference to a white bird or white hawk is most likely.
However, I have a different theory. I believe that the name has a Latin origin, and the Romans brought this name to the Celtic tribes during their occupation.
Why???
1) Documented evidence
2) Similar meanings
The Celtic theory says that Gavin is a variant of Gawain / Gwalchgyn with the meaning of "white hawk."
And while it is completely possible that the Celtic tribes have an oral tradition for this name, the first written records do not appear until the Middle Ages with works such as "Le Mort d'Arthur." Until writing en masse was used by Celtic cultures, there is no real written evidence for this name. Also we really do not see this name occurring in the Celtic regions until the popularity of this book reached its height.
The Latin theory has more weight in my personal opinion.
The Latin name Gavinus, the Italian variants Gavino and Gabino, has a long documented history of usage that goes back to the Early Roman Republic. It is a name that has a stronger usage in southern Italy, however, records of this name are found throughout the Roman Republic and Roman Empire.
I know that it is possible that similar names can be developed independently by difference cultures and languages. However, I find it interesting that their is a similar meaning being shared for these names by both cultures.
With the Celtic origin, the name names "white hawk." But the Latin name and variants all mean "white falcon." So both origins share a reference for a white bird of prey.
I feel that these two factors should give enough weight to suggest that the Latin origin might have more credibility.
What do the people here think?
Thanks for any comments.
My name is Gavin, and I am curious about a question I have for the origin of the name Gavin, I am currently writing a paper about my idea and I would love to have other opinions...or...maybe some helpful information.
To date, when we look for the origin of the name Gavin we are given a story that says the origin of the name is not known, but a Celtic origin with a reference to a white bird or white hawk is most likely.
However, I have a different theory. I believe that the name has a Latin origin, and the Romans brought this name to the Celtic tribes during their occupation.
Why???
1) Documented evidence
2) Similar meanings
The Celtic theory says that Gavin is a variant of Gawain / Gwalchgyn with the meaning of "white hawk."
And while it is completely possible that the Celtic tribes have an oral tradition for this name, the first written records do not appear until the Middle Ages with works such as "Le Mort d'Arthur." Until writing en masse was used by Celtic cultures, there is no real written evidence for this name. Also we really do not see this name occurring in the Celtic regions until the popularity of this book reached its height.
The Latin theory has more weight in my personal opinion.
The Latin name Gavinus, the Italian variants Gavino and Gabino, has a long documented history of usage that goes back to the Early Roman Republic. It is a name that has a stronger usage in southern Italy, however, records of this name are found throughout the Roman Republic and Roman Empire.
I know that it is possible that similar names can be developed independently by difference cultures and languages. However, I find it interesting that their is a similar meaning being shared for these names by both cultures.
With the Celtic origin, the name names "white hawk." But the Latin name and variants all mean "white falcon." So both origins share a reference for a white bird of prey.
I feel that these two factors should give enough weight to suggest that the Latin origin might have more credibility.
What do the people here think?
Thanks for any comments.
2
Replies
"It is a name that has a stronger usage in southern Italy,"
Actually it's used only in Sardinia or by people with a Sardinian background.
Anyway, very interesting.
Actually it's used only in Sardinia or by people with a Sardinian background.
Anyway, very interesting.
1
I agree that the roman influence through occupation has merit. Whether it was used as a first or last name is not consequential. The reference to Sir Gawain in the Mallory's poem (alleged-but most likely) may have less to do with the meaning of the name. Both Sir John Gawen and Mallory both served in British parliament around the same time. It may be that Mallory wrote his stories (while in jail) and incorporated known people into his characters much like Shakespeare or other playful writers at the time. The actual Middle English spelling in the earliest manuscript was Gawen. Gawyn and Gawan and all kinds of variations were used as first names as Gavin is today. An alternate meaning is "son of a smith". The Germanic pronunciation of Gawen is Gavin. That's much closer to the latin form Gavinus, which indead means "white hawk" or simply a white bird of prey. At the time the name emerged in medieval England white Boussards were plentiful. They are now extinct.
1
Where do you get the Latin etymology "white falcon" from? This site here says that Gabinus probably means "from Gabii" (an antique city in central Italy) and this is a clear and transparent Latin etymology. I don't see any of the Latin words meaning "white" (e.g., albus or candidus) in Gabinus, not any Latin word for a bird of prey.
Some fun facts: cinctus Gabinus was a way to wear the toga, and lapis Gabinus was a fireresistent kind of stone
https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/searchresults?q=Gabinus&page=1
--elbowin
Some fun facts: cinctus Gabinus was a way to wear the toga, and lapis Gabinus was a fireresistent kind of stone
https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/searchresults?q=Gabinus&page=1
--elbowin
1