Understanding Names

[Ralph]

I am a brand new, total newbie; this is my first post. I think this may be a "history" question rather than a genealogy question. Anyway, here goes...

The earliest ancestor we can find is IORWERTH AP CARADOG, born in Gloucestershire in 1161. Can anyone tell me what the heck "ap" signifies? We find it in all generations until 1395.

As follows: Iorwerth ap Caradog, 1161,Gloucestershire, had son; Adam ap Iorwerth, born 1186 in Gloucestershire, had son; Adam Fynchan Adams (aka. Adam ap Adams) born about 1206 in Wales (perhaps Monmouthshire), had son; Reginals ap Adams, born about 1225 in Monmouthshire, Wales, had son; Lord John ap Adams, born 1250 in Charlton Adams, County Somerset, England, had 4 children including son; Sir John ap Adams, born 1272 in Charlton Adam, County Somerset, had son; William ap Adams, born in Charlton Adam, County Somerset, had son; John ap Adams, born 1329 in Charlton Adam, County Somerset, had son; Thomas ap Adams, born 1352 in Charlton Adam, County Somerset, had son; John ap Adams, born 1374 in Gorsete Chepston, Monmouthshire, Wales, had son; John Adams, born 1395 in Sutton Mallett, County Somersetshire...

Whew, it goes on and on, but "ap" no longer appears after John ap Adams born in 1374. I read the "rules" of this forum and don't expect you to "do it for me". But, can you point me to the kind of reference I should be looking for to understand this style of naming? Also, what are those first two names? Celts?, Saxons?, Welsh? Do I have Danes or Viking raiders in my history?

Thank you in advance for any help.

Ralph

[Maths girl]

Hi Ralph

I think ap was the welsh equivalent of the scottish and irish Mc Mac ie son of - it happens in the Old Testament of the Bible

and hence you have the genealogy going way back -

The welsh were late getting surnames as we know them and just used son of instead every generation therefore had a different "surname".

I read an article on it recently - I'll try and find a reference on it for you

Maths girl

[peterd]

its welsh

IORWERTH

is his name i think


http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?tit ... ext=Search


ap is of i think



Caradog is (Caradoc, Caradawg, Cradawg or, in Latin, Caratacus) is a Welsh name borne by several historical and legendary figures,

or place ?

see

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caradog


also see

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?tit ... ADOG&go=Go

[Maths girl]

I tried googling Welsh Surnames

This one looks informative

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northwest/si ... ames.shtml

But there are others

Some light bed time reading!!

[Ralph]

Well, thank you both very much for so promptly helping. I looked for a UK forum and I was not disappointed, you recognized the names as Welsh right away.

Ralph

[peterd]

Well, thank you both very much for so promptly helping. I looked for a UK forum and I was not disappointed, you recognized the names as Welsh right away.

Ralph

hi ralph when you post your next querry will you post it in the gen disscusion area or if in the black country then in the black country section as we dont want to confuse any beginners that might read this section. cheers pete

[Ralph]

Ah, thank you Pete,

I understand, and why. I am quite involved with a Photoshop forum and our "Beginners Section" there is a place for simple, dumb Qs by newbies. That's why I erred this time. No excuse, just the reason.

Ralph