Page:Alexander Macbain - An Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language.djvu/480

412 William, G. Uilleam, M. G. William (1467 MS.) ; the G. is bor- rowed from the Eng., O. Eng. Willelm, Ger. Wilhelm, "helmet of resolution" (from will and helm). Hence Mac-william.

SOME NATIVE FEMALE NAMES.

Beathag, Sophia, M. G. Bethog (M'V.), Bethoc (Chronicles of Picts and Scots : name of King Duncan's mother), for *Bethóc, the fern, form of Beathan, discussed under Mac-bean.

Bride, Bridget, E. Ir, O. Ir. Brigit, g. Brigte or Brigtae : *Bṛgṇtî (Stokes), an old Gaelic goddess of poetry, etc. (Corm.) ; usually referred to the root bṛg, high, Celtic Brigantes, high or noble people ; Skr. bṛhatî, high (fern.) ; further Ger. berg, hill, Eng. burgh. The Norse god of poetry was Bragi, whose name may be allied to that of Brigit. The name of the Gr. goddess 'Αφροδίτη (Bhṛg-îtâ) and the Teutonic name Berhta (from the same stem as Eng. bright), have been compared to that of Bridget (Hoffman, Bez. Beit. 18, 290) ; but this deriva- tion of Aphrodite ("foam-sprung"?) is unusual.

Diorbhail, Diorbhorguil, Dorothy, M. G. Derbhfáil (M'V.), Ir. Dearbhail, Dearbhforghaill, respectively translated by 0'Don- ovan "true request" (see àill) and "true oath" (E. Ir. forgall, O. Ir. forcell, testimony, from geall). Hence the historic name Devorgilla.

Fionnaghal, Flora, M. G. Fionnghuala (1469 MS.), documents Finvola (1463), Fynvola (1409), Ir. Finnghuala : "Fair- shouldered " ; from fionn and guala.

Mòr, Mòrag, Sarah, M. G. Mòr (M'V.), Ir. Mòr (year 916) ; from mòr, great, while Hebrew Sarah means "queen."

Muireall, Marion, Muriel, Ir. Muirgheal (year 852) : Mori-gelâ, "sea-white" ; from muir and geal.

Oighrig, Eighrig, Euphemia, M. G. Effric (D. of L.), med. documents Africa, Ir. Aithbhric, older Affraic (two abbesses of Kildare so called in 738 and 833) ; from Africa?

Raonaild, Raonaid, Rachel ; from Norse Raqnhildis, "God's fight." Cf. Ronald.

Sorcha, Clara, Ir. Sorcha ; from the adj. sorcha, bright, the opposite of dorcha, q.v.

Una, Winifred, Winny, Ir. Una ; usually explained as from úna (núna, M. Ir. =gorta), hunger, famine, whence the Ir. proverb : "Ní bhíon an teach a mbíon Una lá ná leath gan núna " — The house where Una is is never a day or half one without hunger." W. newyn, Cor. naun, Br. naon, M. Br. naffin, *novengo-, Eng. need. Cf. E. Ir. uinchi, scarcity, Eng. want, wane. Una, daughter of the King of Lochlan, is repre- sented by Keating as Conn Cédcathach's mother (second century).