OF THE GAELIC LANGUAGE.
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or Ercenbald, which vaguely means "right-bold" (O. H. G. erchen, right, real), has no apparent connection with Gillespie in meaning or origin (cf. similarly Ludovic and Maoldomhnuich).
Arthur, G. Artair, M. G. Artuir, E. Ir. Artuir, Artur, Ir. Lat. Arturius, son of Ædan (Adamnan), W. Arthur, to which the Lat. Artorius (Juvenal) has been compared and suggested as its source (it being maintained that the Gens Artoria of Yorkshire lasted from Roman to Domesday-Book times, where Artor appears in the days of Edward the Confessor). If native to Brittonic (which is probable), it is from *arto-s, a bear, W. arth, O. Ir. art, whence the names Art, Artgal, Artbran. Rhys prefers to render the *arto- as "cultor," from ar, plough (Arth. Leg., 40-48), allying Arthur to the idea of a "Culture God." Hence G. M'Artair, Mac-arthur.
Bain, from G. bàn, white. The Bains of Tulloch appear in the sixteenth century variously as Bay tie or Bane, with a contemporary near them called John Makferquhair M'Gillebane (1555). This last name is now M'Ille-bhàin', "Fair-gille," rendered into Eng. by Whyte; whence also M'Gilvane.
Bartholomew, G. Parlan, Ir. Parthalon, E. Ir. Partholón, Lat. Partholomœus or Bartholomœus (Nennius, ninth cent.), the name of a personage who is represented as the first invader of Ireland after the Flood (278 years after!). The p proves the name to be non-Gadelic; and as the historians take Partholon from Spain, the Spanish Bar Tolemon of legend has been suggested as the original. Prof. Rhys thought it came from the Ivernians or Pre-Celtic race in Ireland. Hence the Clan Mac-farlane, G. M'Pharlain.
Brown, G. M'A'-Bhriuthainn, M. G. M'abhriuin (1408 Gaelic Charter), from britheamhain, the former (Sc. Gaelic) genitive of britheamh, judge, q.v. Hence Mac-brayne.
Cameron, G. Camshron, Camaran, M. G. Cámsroin, g. (M'V.), Camronaich (D. of L.), Gillacamsroin (1467 MS.), Charter Eng. Camroun (1472); explained as from càm-sròn, "wry-nose," which is the most probable explanation (cf. caimbeul, E. Ir. cerrbél, wry mouth). Connection with camerarius or chamberlain (of Scotland) unlikely, or with the fourteenth century De Cambruns or Cameron parish in Fife.
Campbell, G. Caimbeul, M. G. Cambel (1467 MS.), Cambell (1266, etc.), from cambél, wry-mouthed (càm and beul; see Cameron). There is no De Cambel in the numerous early references, but De Campo-bello appears in 1320 as a Latin
