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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Inverness => Topic started by: HmmS336 on Thursday 06 January 22 09:21 GMT (UK)

Title: Urrach alias Fraser
Post by: HmmS336 on Thursday 06 January 22 09:21 GMT (UK)
This is the way that a baptism is entered into the Parish Register and Indexed on SP,  Killearnan 1804.

The entry itself contains few clues, William Fraser, spouse  Ann  - then a space, daughter Jannet,  living at Kilcoy with no further mention of Urrach or why it was mentioned.

Can anyone suggest the reason or significance for the addition of  'Urrach'?  Or help with the occupation  - attached

Thank you.
Title: Re: Urrach alias Fraser
Post by: HmmS336 on Tuesday 11 January 22 11:05 GMT (UK)
I mispelt the word!  Sorry - this is also in Ross-shire. 

The entry is listed under WILLIAM FRASER OR UARRACH  -
Title: Re: Urrach alias Fraser
Post by: Forfarian on Tuesday 11 January 22 11:19 GMT (UK)
I am confused. I don't see Urrach or Uarrach on the extract you have posted - only Kilcoy. Where does Urrach/Uarrach come into it?
Title: Re: Uarrach alias Fraser
Post by: HmmS336 on Tuesday 11 January 22 11:27 GMT (UK)
Sorry for the confusion

Here is a snip of the entry from Scotlands People. 

On this page, the surnames are down the right hand side.  I was asking two questions - the occupation and the addition of the Uarrach alias Fraser.  That is how it is indexed as well.
Title: Re: Urrach alias Fraser
Post by: Forfarian on Tuesday 11 January 22 11:59 GMT (UK)
Ah, I see.

It's not unusual to come across aliases in the Highlands. I have no idea what Uarrach means. Gaelic urach means a bucket and urrach means power or ability. Uarrach is not listed in my Gaelic dictionary.

The occupation looks like Mealer - could it be miller?
Title: Re: Urrach alias Fraser
Post by: HmmS336 on Tuesday 11 January 22 12:19 GMT (UK)
Thank you Forfarian.

Its the first time I had seen a nick name listed as surname.  Like you I cannot see a close match in Gaelic ( I am not a native speaker).   If this the baptism belongs to 'my' Janet her father William was a weaver.   

Some one else (on the page of Baptisms) has the same occupation and another clearly shows weaver.  Its a shame no surname entered for the mother.

Meanwhile - date. location and names tick the boxes. 
Title: Re: Urrach alias Fraser
Post by: GR2 on Tuesday 11 January 22 12:49 GMT (UK)
A mealer or mailer is someone who occupies land for a money rent (mail) rather than by paying rent in kind.
Title: Re: Urrach alias Fraser
Post by: HmmS336 on Tuesday 11 January 22 14:25 GMT (UK)
Thank you GR2 - I have not heard that before
Title: Re: Urrach alias Fraser
Post by: eilthireach on Wednesday 12 January 22 02:13 GMT (UK)
I am seeing uanachan, which means lambkin.
Title: Re: Urrach alias Fraser
Post by: eilthireach on Wednesday 12 January 22 02:16 GMT (UK)
uanachan. Are we seeing the whole image here. Has part of the word been cut at the right side?
Title: Re: Urrach alias Fraser
Post by: Rosinish on Wednesday 12 January 22 04:04 GMT (UK)
Maybe a longshot & not impossible I don't think but could it be a variant of Varich/Vurich/MacVarich/MacVurich (many variants) which may be Currie?

My 2 x g g/m was Margaret Currie when she married but on one of her 5 daughters' BCs (1857) she's MacVurich (the 'V' looks like a 'U') !

Slightly different spelling here...

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XYPV-FKM

Annie
Title: Re: Urrach alias Fraser
Post by: HmmS336 on Wednesday 12 January 22 08:48 GMT (UK)
Quote from: eilthireach on Wednesday 12 January 22 02:16 GMT (UK)
uanachan. Are we seeing the whole image here. Has part of the word been cut at the right side?

I don't think the word is longer,  Family search also shows Uarrach
Title: Re: Urrach alias Fraser
Post by: Alasdairmac21 on Monday 07 February 22 23:23 GMT (UK)
Looks like there are many Frasers in Killearnan who were known by that by-name. Various spellings Uirach, Uirrach, Uarach, Uarrach, dating from 1761 to 1804.

My guess would be they were originally from Urray or Orrin, much like the Hearachs (of Harris) and the Sgitheanachs (of Skye).

Unfortunately the meaning of the name is probably lost in time.

Alasdair