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Post by annedw on Oct 1, 2008 17:32:16 GMT
I was looking at Llanferres Prs up to c 1790 today , and there are quite a good few Blunts there. Also I was surprised how many girls were named Barbara. Very unusual.
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Post by sceptrelady on Oct 1, 2008 19:08:06 GMT
Does anyone know the origins of the name Barbara? Is it an Irish name? I'm still looking for my Ann Blunt c1720 who married in Llanarmon yn Ial in 1743. If anyone who collects Blunts ever comes across her please make contact Heather
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Post by annedw on Oct 1, 2008 20:49:11 GMT
Barbara is a Welsh name. probably derived from a sheepfarmers pet name for their prettiest sheep, Baaaarbaaaraaaa. ;D ;D ;D BUT seriously = As a name, Barbara is Latin and literally means "foreign woman," from the word "barbarus" or foreign. This word itself is of Greek origin; it came from a made-up word "bar-bar" to indicate the sound of non-Greeks talking in different languages (the name Barbara still exists in modern Greek, pronounced var-VAR-a.) The word "barbarian" clearly comes from this root too, and illustrates the ancients' mistrust of foreigners. Barbara has long been popular as a Christian name due to the legend of St Barbara, who is the patron saint of stonemasons and (oddly enough) gunpowder. This is probably because her father is said to have murdered her and then been struck by lightning. The name is sometimes spelled Barbra (like Barbra Streisand.) Short forms and pet names include Babs, Barb (mostly in America) occasionally the old fashioned nicknames Bun and Bunny, and most famously of all, Barbie, as in the doll. So now you know.
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Post by sceptrelady on Oct 1, 2008 21:47:49 GMT
Thanks for that Fascinating stuff annedw ;D There appear to have several "Barbar"-ians amongst the dreaded Carringtons - now I know why ;D ;D I only asked if it was Irish because I read somewhere that there was a theory the North Wales Blunts had come from Ireland originally. H
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