I am curious to know if the name “Argent” could mean silver in Irish? If not, what is the correct Irish word? Also, I understand the last name “Ormond”, or similar variants, can be an old Irish name meaning “red”, but could it also mean gold? Again, if not, what is Irish for gold?
Thanks,
As far as I know, gold is ór, and silver is airgead (googled that one!). I believe there is some Latin influence on the language.
Red is rua, as ruadh will hopefully confirm!
Both are, I believe, borrowings from Old French, through the Anglo-Norman invaders (e.g., Strongbow) – or and argent are gold and silver, respectively, in the technical language of heraldry drawn from Old French.
Latin for them is aurum and argentum respectively, whence the chemical symbols Au and Ag. And I think it’s clear how these gave rise to the Old French. But I suspect that the likelihood, especially given the almost-exact mod., is that Irish borrowed not from Latin directly but from the tongue of the invaders who were attempting (and often succeeding) to establish an ascendancy over the native Irish, and who would have some control over the precious-metal supply on the island in consequence.
I don’t doubt that, though I would also point out that the Latin-speaking Church preceded the Normans in Ireland by a couple of centuries.
Basically only when referring to haircolour. Otherwise red is dearg.
As for “Ormond”, I believe that’s a Norman name, not Irish (Gaelic) at all.
I thought that Irish for silver was Coors Silver Bullet 12 pk and gold was Miller Draft Gold 12 pk…Just joking…Don’t want to create any stereo types just because I am Irish myself.