Well I did it! I finally did it. I have put it off for years now. I have always wanted to know a little more about my heritage but I really thought the process would be painful. I still think that traditional genealogy is something that would bore me to no end. I was curious about the origins of my ancestors' surnames though so I looked into it. I found my Scottish clan, which was most exciting. I knew that I was Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and English but I wasn't sure where that all fit in. The Coat of Arms where hard to find w/o paying for them but it was good to just see them.
My great grandmother Eva's surname being Griffith is of Welsh origin. The family motto on our crest is Firmitas Et Sanitas, which means Strength and Sanity. I know some of you are laughing about the sanity part... I'm still scratching my head on that part too. I'm not sure what part of Whales it originated though.
My grandmother Alice's surname was Hannah Scottish in decent. From the Clan Hannay. The earliest version of Hannah I could find was Hannay, of Sorbie Tower in Galloway. Our family motto is Per ardua ad alta, meaning, Through difficulties to the heights.
My mother's name being Deborah Willis is English. The name is found first in Berkshire England. There is no motto that is found. It is a very ancient name apparently!
Now, my maiden name, Blake, is Irish/English. Started out as Lake from England then my ancestors moved to Ireland. The name has, apparently, many different spellings in ancient records some include Blake, Caddell, Caddle, and others (not really sure how blake and Caddell are the same). The Crest motto is Virtus sola Nobilitat, which translates to virtue alone ennobles or virtue alone is nobility.
It was really fascinating learning about my family's names and meanings. I have always prided myself in being Irish and Scottish and now I have a little more to say when people ask more into it then "UHHHHHH!" I hope this has inspired you to look a little deeper into your ancestry. I don't think I will ever enjoy searching for names and doing genealogy in the traditional sense but it's certainly nice learning a little more about where I came from because like I said before I knew nothing of it.
2 comments:
Wow! Really cool. I too desire to delve a little deeper, having heard of stories of ancestors who had to escape Germany because of duals gone wrong, and other such craziness. And I really like that motto, Per ardua ad alta, "Through difficulties to the heights." Thanks for the reminder of what I should do before schooling starts.
"Firmias Et Sanitas" means strength and health. I'm guessing sanity goes along with health. LOL I have the "Ancient History of the Distinguished Surname Griffith".
When the Romans bacathed the British Isles end of 3rd cent. The Welsh were left in sole poss. of all England, all the way north to banks of the Clyde. The Saxons forced them west into mountains of what is now Wales.
Rhodri Mawr, or Rodrick the Great was the 1st recorded monarch of all Whales. He died in 893 and gave Wales to his three sons. Anarawd became King of North Wales, Cadalh King of South Whales and Mervyn King of Poys, or mid Wales.
The ancient history of the name Grifith also emerges from the same Welsh chronicles. It was first found in Chirk where they were seated from very ancient times, descendd from the ancient Prince of Whales.
It goes on and on but thought I'd give you a little info.
The Griffith name is derived from two terms: the personal name "Griff" and the conjoining word "uid: or "ith" meaning cheif.
Hope you enjoyed. Have a great day.I'm a Griffith girl myself.
Post a Comment