Definition of Names H-M

• www.RainerFamilyTree.co.uk

• Best minimum screen resolution 1024x768

• Allow blocked content if viewing with Internet Explorer

Harris, Harrison, Harries (chiefly Wales).

1, English patronymic from the medieval given name Harry. 2, Jewish: assumed as an Anglicized form of various like-sounding Jewish names.

Hawkins, Hawkings, Hawken

Occupational name for a Hawker or nickname for someone supposedly resembling a hawk in some way. The Anglo-Norman French suffix -in being added.

Hoare, Hore

1, Nickname for an old man or someone with prematurely grey hair. 2, Topographic name for someone who lived by a slope or shore.

House, Howse, Hoose, Houser, Hous(e)man.

1.In the Middle Ages the majority of the population lived in cottages or huts rather than houses, and in most cases this name probably indicates someone who had some connection with the largest and most important building of the settlement, either a “religious” house or simply the local “Great House”. 2. A relatively modern spelling of Howes.

Isaac, Issac, Izhak, Ishak......

This is a Jewish, French and English name which derives from the male Hebrew given name of Yitschak. The traditional meaning of this name is, laughter. This originates from the bible. The son of Abraham and Sarah. It is said that they laughed with joy at the birth of their son. But it is more likely that the name meant ‘may God smile (laugh) on him’.

Ives, Ivey

This comes from the Norman personal name, Ivo. And was introduced into England at the time of the Conquest.

Jarvis, Jervis, Gervis, Gervase, Jarvie (Scotland).

1, From the Norman personal name Gervase. 2, Habitation name from Jervaulx in N Yorks., site of a famous Cistercian monastery.

Jones, Joynes, Joans.

1, Patronymic from the Middle English given name Jon(e) John. 2, Jewish: Anglicized form of some like-sounding Jewish surname.

Lang, Laing, Long, Longman.

1, Nickname for a tall person, from Old English lang, long, tall. 2, Irish: Anglicized form of Gael. Ó Longáin.

Laxton, Lax, Laksman.........

1. German metonymic occupational name for a salmon fisher or a seller of salmon and other delicacies. 2. German nickname for a lively person. 3. Jewish surname taken from words denoting fish, birds, and animals.

Lee(t)ch, Leach, Leche Leitch.

1. Occupational name for a physician. May also have been a nickname for a demanding or bloodthirsty person. 2. Local name for someone who lived by a boggy stream. (as in Old English, lacu stream)

Leonard, Len(n)ard, learnard, Learned.

Derives from a Norman personal name - leo Lion and hard hardy, brave, strong. A Saint of this name lived in the early Middle Ages and was thought of as the Patron Saint of peasants and horses.

Mack, Maccus.

1, Scottish: from the Old Norse personal name Makkr, a form of Magnus. 2, Mainly U.S. Simplified form of any of the various Scots and Irish names beginning Mc-.

Martin, Martyn, Marten.......

This name was borne by a famous 4th century saint, Martin of Tours, and consequently became extremely popular throughout Europe in the Middle Ages.

McIntyre, MacIntyre, McInteer, McEntire, McAteer............

Comes from the Gaelic name, Mac an tSaoir. Which translated means ‘the son of a mason or carpenter’.

Middleton, Myddleton

English and Scots habitation name from any of the thirty or more places so called.

Midwinter

Someone born around Christmas time.

Millican, Milligan, Millikin, Mulligan, O’Mellegan,...........

Irish: Anglicized form of Gael. Ó Maolagáin, descendant of Maolagán.

Monaghan, O’Monaghan,...........

Irish: Anglicized form of Gael. Ó Manacháin, descendant of Manachán, a personal name from the word manach Monk.

Moore, Moor, Moors.

1, English: topographic name for someone who lived on a moor or in a fen, or habitation name from any of the various places named with this word. 2, Nickname for a man of swarthy complexion. 3, Scots and Welsh: nickname for a large man, from Gael, mór, big, great.

Mullenger, Mullen, Mullings,..............

1, Irish: Anglicized form of Gael. Ó Maoláin, descendant of Maolán, a byname meaning Tonsured One, from maol bald. 2, English topographic name for someone who lived by a Mill, or occupational name for a Miller, from Anglo-Norman French mo(u)lin, mulin mill.

Definition of Names in my family tree. H - M

Source: The Oxford Names Companion.

Previous Menu Next