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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§ 107. PROPER NAMES AND THEIR COMPOUNDS.
1. The grammatical basis of a proper name is the personal or
baptismal name, e.g. Domhnull Donald, Seumas James, Màiri
Mary, Seònaid Janet. The clan or family name is added in the
form (a) of an adj., e.g. Alasdair DomhnuUach — Alexander
Macdonald ; Màiri Dhomhnullach — Mary Macdonald, or (b) of a
patronymic cpd., e.g. Alasdair MacDhomhnuill, Màiri Nic
Dhomhnuill.
Proper names are definite and indefinite.
In the genitive singular a proper name, masculine, if definite,
is aspirated ; and a proper name, feminine, is unaspirated :
Contrast :
Mac de — a son oj a god (common noun).
Mac Dhe — the Son of God (proper noun).
Mac DòmhnuiU — a son of a Donald.
Mac Dhomhnuill — the son of Donald.
Ceit nic Phàdruig — Catherine Pater son,
where nic = nighean(-)(contracted to ni) + mhic.
2. A single noun in apposition to a single proper name does
not require the def. art. :
Eobhan ciobair — Ewen the shepherd ;
loseph saor — Joseph the carpenter : — Munro 177
Beannachd Chaluim ghobha — ' mo thogair ged nach [read
gar an, § 218) tHl '—
Smith Malcolm's blessing — / care not if he come not back : —
N.G.P.52.
3. When a single proper name is accompanied by an adjectival
cpd., § 103, the latter requires the article :
Alasdair, an ceard-umha — Alexander the coppersmith',
Ailean, am muiUear-luaidh — Allan the fulling-miller.
4. When a name and surname are accompanied by a common
noun in apposition, the latter requires the article :
Alasdair Taillear, an clachair — Alexander Taylor the mason ;
Iain Caimbeiil, am maor — Alexander Campbell the Officer,