RootsChat.Com

Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Topic started by: Noells on Tuesday 08 August 06 07:14 BST (UK)

Title: Does anyone know what does "Aird" mean?
Post by: Noells on Tuesday 08 August 06 07:14 BST (UK)
Hi

An acquaintance recently found a Scottish ancestor from the Aird of Tong.

We have been endeavouring to find out what Aird means and would appreciate help on this. Google is no help whatsoever  ::)

Noells
Title: Re: Does anyone know what does "Aird" mean?
Post by: wiseowljj on Tuesday 08 August 06 08:32 BST (UK)
Hi Noells,
Have you seen this website www.gaelic.ca/language/words.htm
Meaning of word "aird" given as points of compass.
See after paragraph that reads "Finally we have to deal with etc"
Wiseowljj
Title: Re: Does anyone know what does "Aird" mean?
Post by: ShaunJ on Tuesday 08 August 06 08:37 BST (UK)
In this sense Aird means headland, heights, or promontory. If you do a Google search for "Aird Gaelic meaning" it will take you to a good selection of sites
Title: Re: Does anyone know what does "Aird" mean?
Post by: throckenholt on Tuesday 08 August 06 08:38 BST (UK)
ancestry.com has

Aird
Scottish: habitational name from a place named with Gaelic àird(e) ‘height’, ‘promontory’, or ‘headland’, from the adjective àrd ‘high’, ‘lofty’, cognate with Latin arduus ‘steep’, ‘difficult’. There is one such place near Hurlford in Ayrshire, and another in Inch, Wigtownshire. See also Ard.

Ard
Scottish: habitational name from any of several places called Aird, including one near Hurlford in Ayrshire, another near Stranraer in Galloway, and the Aird, the higher part of the Vale of Beauly, near Inverness. These place names are derived from Gaelic àird(e) ‘height’, ‘promontory’, from àrd ‘high’.

Title: Re: Does anyone know what does "Aird" mean?
Post by: Noells on Wednesday 09 August 06 07:06 BST (UK)
Thanks all for your prompt replies and the explanations of Aird.

Thanks also for the suggested web sites, I will now check them out .

Noells

Title: Re: Does anyone know what does "Aird" mean?
Post by: Rebecca Mackay on Sunday 01 October 06 12:26 BST (UK)
Headland
Title: Re: Does anyone know what does "Aird" mean?
Post by: pepinou on Friday 06 October 06 16:45 BST (UK)
My father spoke gaelic, and he told me once that "aird" or "ard " meant "at the mound of".
Title: Re: Does anyone know what does "Aird" mean?
Post by: Rebecca Mackay on Saturday 07 October 06 09:17 BST (UK)
"Aird" means a highish headland.  "Ard"  means high. Rebecca
Title: Re: Does anyone know what does "Aird" mean?
Post by: DonCam55 on Friday 09 October 09 19:33 BST (UK)
There is a book entitled "Tong, The Story of a Lewis Village" that may be of help to you. It was printed in the 80's by the Stornoway Gazette. I have a copy and would be happy to look things up for you.
Title: Re: Does anyone know what does "Aird" mean?
Post by: beady on Friday 09 October 09 19:41 BST (UK)
put the word between bad & ay ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Does anyone know what does "Aird" mean?
Post by: Redroger on Saturday 10 October 09 18:22 BST (UK)
I believe that ard as in Ardvaak means earth, it also means a plough. All these words and meanings given above have connotations of earth and land with them, so I am sure that aird will come from a similar source.
Title: Re: Does anyone know what does "Aird" mean?
Post by: aghadowey on Saturday 10 October 09 19:16 BST (UK)
In Irish ard=high and agha=field and ard certainly has same meaning in Scots Gaelic.