Interesting name idea

[slohairt]

Tis a complicated mess to be sure. I agree with much of what has been said above, save to point out when one talks of Scotland, one must always specify whether they mean Highlander or Lowlander. Different culture, different traditions, different naming systems.

Fixed surnames were a relatively recent phenomena in Gaelic Scotland (and Wales). Patronymics changed with each generation, like they still do in Iceland. Ireland is a different matter. In fact, for many Highlanders, the clan patronymic was not the patronymic they themselves used. When it came time to emigrate, many of these clansmen had very long, unwieldy (to English-speakers), multiple patronymics that they discarded upon moving to the Colonies, Lowland cities, and all points between.

e.g. Domhnall Og Mhic Dhomhnuill Mhic Asgaill Mhic Cormaic Mhic Aoidh Mac an Mhaighstir (Little Domhnall, son of Asgall, son of Cormac, son of Aodh, son of the master) moves to Edinburgh and becomes Donald McMaster.

This accounts for the large number of people who have certain clan names (i.e. MacDonald). While it (MacDonald) is obviously a large clan, many of its members would have had different patronymics at one time. Sadly, this also accounts for why there are many extinct Gaelic patronymics.

In addition, others chose politically neutral names like Brown or Smith, others translated their names (both accurately or mistakenly), transliterated their names (usually badly), and still others would alter the spelling to match that of an existing surname in the Lowlands.

So, it is possible to be a MacDonald and not be a MacDonald, if you take my meaning.

As for translating names? Though most Gaelic surnames (be they Irish, Scottish, or Manx) are patronymics, you find that many names are easily translated to and from different languages. Most are fairly boring; son of John, etc. MacLaren, to use your example, is Mac Labhruinn meaning son of Lawrence.