Gary,

A very interesting post, to be sure -- reminds me of my MIL's surname, Melancon, which is a French Acadien/Cajun surname which is believed to have originated in either Scotland or England as Melanson, Millanson, etc. In fact, Melanson is traditionally associated with Clan MacMillan.

And, one more thing to consider: many German surnames were "Americanized" during the First World War as a result of the anti-German hysteria that also changed sauerkraut into "liberty cabbage" and dachshunds into "liberty hounds" -- for example, the American "ace" Eddie Rickenbacker changed his name from the more German "Rickenbacher" in 1918.

Great thread!

Todd