I have found a parallel with the Berber (North African) language where 'o' also means 'son of' (as in O-hayon, O-hana etc.).
2007-01-19 12:57:00 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Actually, O harks back to a man's grandfather or further back, whereas Mac is literally "son of."
Fitz may sometimes indicate Norman illegitimacy, although that's no longer a legal concept.
That's interesting how the Berbers name themselves. Is that echoed in other African or related languages? Do they change that if you're female, as Gaelic does? O for boys, Ni or Nic for girls, for example.
2007-01-19 13:37:53 · answer #1 · answered by WomanWhoReads 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it does mean that. I have also heard (this is unconfirmed) that it means "illegitimate son of" or "bastard son of" in the Irish tradition, whereas the prefix Mc or Mac meand "legitimate son of". But, that's just what I've heard tell.
2007-01-19 21:25:20 · answer #2 · answered by Deb F 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The prefix "O'" means "grandson of" not "son of." That is an interesting parallel, though. Could you give more info?
2007-01-20 22:53:06 · answer #3 · answered by Garrison C 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋