Urrach alias Fraser

[HmmS336]

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.

[HmmS336]

I mispelt the word!  Sorry - this is also in Ross-shire. 

The entry is listed under WILLIAM FRASER OR UARRACH  -

[Forfarian]

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?

[HmmS336]

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.

[Forfarian]

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?

[HmmS336]

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. 

[GR2]

A mealer or mailer is someone who occupies land for a money rent (mail) rather than by paying rent in kind.

[HmmS336]

Thank you GR2 - I have not heard that before

[eilthireach]

I am seeing uanachan, which means lambkin.