Nobody wants their name dragged through the mud, but some of our unlucky ancestors couldn’t escape their abhorrent appellations. Though last names are passed down through families today, in centuries past, they were assigned based on a person’s looks, character traits, location, or trade. And some of these surnames stung. Often doled out by local officials or tax collectors, these mean-spirited monikers could tarnish the reputation of generations to come. Crooked Clans Some of the most common Scottish surnames today originally mocked someone’s physical features. The name Campbell comes from words that translate to “crooked mouth.” The first person to receive this title was Dugald of Lochawe in the 12th century. Due to a medical condition, he had to speak out of one side of his mouth. But his clan admired him, and they proudly adopted his surname. Similarly, the name Cameron was given to someone who had a crooked nose. Negative Nicknames If you were known to get into brawls, lie, or plunder, it marked you forever. The name Barrett, which comes from an old French word that means “strife” or “trouble,” was given to people who caused problems in their community or couldn’t be trusted. Those with the surname Foley might SURNAMES THAT STARTED AS SNARK Inherited Insults
TAKE A BREAK
BARBECUE BASEBALL CYCLING FISHING
FIREWORKS ICE CREAM INDEPENDENCE
PARK RUBY SHADE STARGAZING VACATION
FLANK STEAK TACOS
Ingredients
have swashbucklers in their family tree. It’s a shortened form of the Gaelic name Foghladha, which refers to the descendants of pirates or marauders. Even if your ancestors didn’t sail the seven seas, you could earn the name if you had a reputation for criminal behavior.
• 1 lb flank steak • 2 tbsp olive oil, divided • 1 small red onion, finely diced • 1/3 cup cilantro • 1 ripe avocado, diced • 1 tbsp lime juice • 8 small flour tortillas
• 1 tsp paprika • 1/2 tsp ground cumin • 1/2 tsp garlic powder • 1/2 tsp chili powder • 1/2 tsp dried oregano • 1/4 tsp onion powder • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper • 1 tsp sea salt, divided
Directions 1. Heat grill to medium heat. 2. In a small bowl, combine first 7 seasoning ingredients with 1/2 tsp sea salt. 3. Brush steak with 1 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle seasoning mixture on both sides. 4. Grill steak for 2–4 minutes per side. 5. Remove steak from grill and let it rest. 6. In a bowl, stir together 1/2 tsp sea salt, 1 tbsp olive oil, onion, cilantro, avocado, and lime juice. 7. Heat flour tortillas on the grill. 8. Slice the grilled flank steak into 1/4-inch strips. Assemble your tacos and enjoy!
Helmet-Headed Handle One of our most well-known presidents bore a name that has various possible meanings, some of them fairly offensive. Kennedy originated from Gaelic root words that mean “ugly head.” So, someone could quite literally earn this name because they were considered unattractive. The surname could also be translated as “grim-headed,” assigned to stern or fearsome figures. Some believe it has more heroic implications and was given to warriors who wore armor because they were “helmet-headed.”
So, what’s in a name? Well, it could be an identifying insult earned years before you were even born.
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