Euphan as a given name.....

[Marie Svedahl]

Anyone familiar with the female name "Euphan"? Is it a short form for something else?

Came across it in one of my "possible" lines and thought it is likely a good clue to something, not sure what tho!

Marie

[WilmaM]

It sounds like a variation of Euphemia.

A google brought up several hits for it past and present [ most notable being the middle name of the author of Worzel Gummidge ]

[Morag]

I have a Euphan who is also referred to as Euphemia on another certificate

Morag

[Marie Svedahl]

I have a Euphan who is also referred to as Euphemia on another certificate

Morag

Euphemia had crossed my mind - thanks for the confirmation both of you.

Marie

[DavidWW]

Leslie Alan Dunkling's Scottish Christian Names, - my "bible" - and it has the best, 8 page, index that I know of, - regards Euphan as a pet form of Euphemia.

Reading the page whole page entry for Euphemia, but not "having the Gaelic", so don't know just how the pronuciations would work out, I wonder if there's a connection with the Gaelic Eubha, which Dunkling attibutes to the ancient Irish name Aiofe??.......

Davie

[CatrionaL]

I have a Euphan and a Euphane both born in Fife around 1740.

Catriona

[Marie Svedahl]

The "Euphan" which sparked the original query on the name, was Euphan Fowler, sister to my Christian Fowler.
In fact there were baptisms for two "Euphans" in that family: first was in 1791 Inveresk parish, Midlothian, then the next in 1809, same place. Expect the first Euphan died and the parents tried naming a second with the same name. It must have been an important family name to go for the second try. Looking at the list of children (on-line IGI) with the Naming Pattern in mind, Euphan should be the father's mother's name. But so far that hasn't worked out

Marie

[samantha2911]

This is an odd coincidence, my 3rd Great Grandmother was called Euphan Fairbairn with Links back to Scotland. But similarly like your story her Father James Fairbairn and her Mother Elizabeth Ashenden had a daughter Euphan who died at age 6 and in the same year another daughter was born so they too called it Euphan. ( My ggg Grandmother). Do let me know if you find anything out about this name, as its a rare name, and a very similar story to yours.
Best wishes
Samantha

[SarahND]

Hello Samantha and
Marie hasn't been on the forum since 2005, so it is unlikely (although not impossible!) that she will see your post. However, you have now brought the topic up to the top, so perhaps other members will see it and have something to add.

All the best,
Sarah

[Currie]

"Euphan! It is a beautiful name! I know you ever so much better now, dear Euphan! Oh, Euphan! my only, only love!" [Sez Willie] http://books.google.com.au/books?id=g_8 ... me&f=false

On FreeBMD for England and Wales there has been a steady run of Euphan, Euphannas, Euphana, Euphania, Euphaney, Euphani, Euphany, Euphans, Euphanas, Euphanus, Euphanes, Euphanie, Euphaness, Euphancy, Euphance, Euphane, and Euphaney, as BMDs from 1837 up to the present time. Most of them seem to be Euphan.

According to “Scottish Forenames: their origins and history” by Donald Whyte, published 1996. http://books.google.com.au/books?id=YpB ... CDYQ6AEwAA

“EUPHAME, EUPHEMIA (f) Gr., ‘fair speech’. The name appears on early Christian monuments, and St Euphemia was a fourth century martyr whose cult was widespread in the east. It occurs from the twelfth century as Eufemia and Euphame. The name, in various spellings, became more common in Scotland than elsewhere.”

And, after a few words about a burned witch:

“Variants are Eupham, Eufan and Euphan, and short forms are Eppie, Effie, Phemie and occasionally Fanny.”

All the best,
Alan