Post by paulgallagher on Sept 8, 2007 1:46:14 GMT 12
Foreign helper or helper of the foreigner(s).
It seems that these two alternatives are in long-standing opposition. I have seen many commentaries as to the meaning of the name, with some from the perspective of the Irish language, but most not. It is often identified that the prefix gall- denotes a foreigner, but a foreign gael and in particular, for those times, the norse-gaelic people of the western islands of Scotland, renowned for many centuries for their fighting prowess and mercenary services. At a time when the whole region was being pressed by Viking incursions, it is not unlikely that Tir Conaill chieftains may well have sought the assistance of these mercenaries, as continued for many centuries, or accepted into their service people in turn displaced from the norse-gael islands by the Vikings.
The analysis of this name from an informed perspective of Irish language syntax would seem to cast the best light on the meaning of the name. In other words is the ‘gall’ prefix as used in this surname meant as an adjective or a noun.
Another significant aspect is the adoption of surnames. Up until some time in or around the 12th century, surnames were not used in Europe. The adoption of a surname for kindred families would no doubt have been a matter of great import and pride. The adoption of the name O’Gallagher by those entitled to do so, would have been a choice by those people, not a label applied by others.
It seems that these two alternatives are in long-standing opposition. I have seen many commentaries as to the meaning of the name, with some from the perspective of the Irish language, but most not. It is often identified that the prefix gall- denotes a foreigner, but a foreign gael and in particular, for those times, the norse-gaelic people of the western islands of Scotland, renowned for many centuries for their fighting prowess and mercenary services. At a time when the whole region was being pressed by Viking incursions, it is not unlikely that Tir Conaill chieftains may well have sought the assistance of these mercenaries, as continued for many centuries, or accepted into their service people in turn displaced from the norse-gael islands by the Vikings.
The analysis of this name from an informed perspective of Irish language syntax would seem to cast the best light on the meaning of the name. In other words is the ‘gall’ prefix as used in this surname meant as an adjective or a noun.
Another significant aspect is the adoption of surnames. Up until some time in or around the 12th century, surnames were not used in Europe. The adoption of a surname for kindred families would no doubt have been a matter of great import and pride. The adoption of the name O’Gallagher by those entitled to do so, would have been a choice by those people, not a label applied by others.