Russell M. Middleton - Etymology
This site originally published in MICHIGAN.
Any Browser.org Russell M. Middleton
Click to go Home
Etymology
(the origin and development of words)

John Kennedy says;

"British surnames became fixed in the period between 1250 and 1450. The broad range of ethnic and linguistic roots for British surnames reflects the history of Britain as an oft-invaded land. These roots include, but are not limited to, Old English, Middle English, Old French, Old Norse, Irish, Gaelic, Celtic, Pictish, Welsh, Gaulish, Germanic, Latin, Greek and Hebrew."

"Please note that by "British" we mean only 'inhabitant of the British Isles,' not citizen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland."

WHAT'S in a name?

My name, RUSSELL M. MIDDLETON, reveals much about the history of Scotland.

Russell - Of Norman origin, Hugh de Russell (or Rosell) fought alongside William the Conqueror in 1066 A.D. Family Motto - Che Sara Sara (What Will Be, Will Be). "(m) From a surname that meant "little red" (French). A notable bearer of the surname was the agnostic British philosopher Bertrand Russell who wrote on many subjects including logic, epistemology and mathematics. He was also a political activist for causes such as pacifism and women's rights." From Behind the Name: the etymology and history of first names

M. - In a tradition dating back to the Picts, I carry my mother's family name as well as my father's. "The fascinating origins of the clan * of * can be traced to *, who was born about 1200, the son of Olave the Black, (a Norwegian warlord) King of Man and the Isles. * married the daughter and heiress of MacRaild about the year 1220. Through his son, Tormod, came the * of *, * and *, and through his second son, Torquil, came the * of *

Throughout the centuries * have been known for their devotion to their chief, the tenacity with which they have maintained the ancient * castle, their appreciation of music and Gaelic lore, their outstanding record in the professions, and their loyalty to one another.

Middleton - ton - Anglo Saxon village suffix meaning homestead. Family Motto: Fortis in arduis (Strong in adversity) "This name is derived from the lands of Middleton of Conveth in the Kincardineshire parish of Laurencekirk so named because these lands formed the central portion of three parcels of lands, all called Conveth. The first of the name appears to be Umfridus de Midilton who witnessed the grants of lands to the Abbey of Arbroath in 1221. For about three centuries the family bore the designation "Middleton of that Ilk", and had an Earldom conferred upon them." From Electric Scotland! bringing Scots and Scots descendants together from around the world. You'll find thousands of pages of information on Scottish history and clans as well as people and places of Scots descent."

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other word would smell as sweet." — William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)

Ah, but is a rose conscience of its name? How much do we humans identify with our names?

To learn more about the interesting world of etymology and linguistics, try :

Contact Me about this page. All rights reserved. © Rm² 2001