Re[4]: [tied] Belgians and Gauls

At 12:59:00 AM on Saturday, August 25, 2007, Rick
McCallister wrote:

> That's makes sense for the surname but I'm talking
> about Co. Monaghan and I've read posts and seen in
> history books that Co Monaghan is linked to Menapii.
> While I suspect this has its roots in romanticism or
> nationalism, I plead ignorance so I'll let the rest of
> you fight it out.

The Early Irish form appears to be <Muinechán> (modern
<Muineachán>); on the face of it this is a diminutive of
<muinech> 'a thorn-brake'. However, Dinneen has a noun
<muineach> 'back of a hill, a crest or wave', perhaps
related to <muin> 'the upper part of the back between the
shoulders and below the neck', which might also have a
topographical interpretation.

Further deponent saith not.

Brian