Matheson Collection > Gaelic grammar, containing the parts of speech and the general principles of phonology and etymology, with a chapter on proper and place names

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in English the definite article is not regularly placed before the
compound. The chief of the Clan Donald was spoken of simply
as Mac Dhomhnuill Macdonald :
Ach ma mhol thu ar daoin' uaisle,
C'uim nach do luaidh thu Mac Dhomhnuill ? —
But if you praised our nobles,
Why did you not mention Macdonald 1 : — S.O. 155^21 ; cf.
Dr. Johnson's Journey, pp. 114, 224
Similarly before compound proper names that already contain
the definite article, the definite article is not placed in English.
The chief of the MacKintoshes is simply Mac-an-tòisich Mac-
Kintosh, and his clan Tòisichean MacKintoshes : — S.O. 114M2
But later, for the sake of greater clearness even in Gaelic, the
genitive plural of the clan name was introduced into the com-
poimd :
Ach, a Dhonuill nan Donall —
Bui ! Macdonald of Macdonald :■ — Maclagan MSS. No. 14
The territorial designation is frequently added to the patronymic
of the chief :
Mac Mhoirich a Atholl — Murray from Atholl : — Turner 85, 9
Mac Coinnich mòr Chinn-Tàile — Great MacKenzie of Kintail :
—S.O. 114^34
Birlinn Mhic Nèill Bhara — a
The galley of MacXeill of Barra :— C.G. 140
Minor distinctions and pet names are expressed by the same
or similar grammatical means :
Coileach Strath-bhalgaidh —
The cock of Strathbogie (Lord Huntly) :— S.O. 411^32
Fear Mhurlagain —
The proprietor, or the tenant farmer of Murlagan : — Munro 185
A Iain Mhuideartaich nan seòl soilleir —
John of Moydart of the bright sails :— S.O. 41^25
Thigheama Lathair — Laird of Lawers : — ib. 41^21 -
Fear Shrath-nihaisidh — ^
The goodman of Strathmasie : — S.O. 260
Chlisg Raonull Shrath-Mhathaisidh —
Ronald of Strathmashie started : — Poetry of Badenoch 187
Fuil uasal Chuinn Cheud-chathaich — The noble blood of Conn
of the hundred battles : — Turner 85, 22