Re: Possible alternate spelling...Gollihare?
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In reply to:
Re: Possible alternate spelling...Gollihare?
10/07/99
This is a very interesting post for several reasons:
1.As many here are well aware, "Goll-yer" or "Golly-er" is the preferred pronunciation of a branch of Gollihers and Gallahers in at least three locations I am aware of:Illinois area, Louisianna and central/southern Utah.It seems obvious to me that the spelling GOLLYHAIR and GOLLYHARE are attempts by individuals, families or clerics to phonetically spell this pronunciation.
2.I have hypothesized that this pronunciation could be traced to a "shorthand" spelling of the O'Gallchobhair (Gallagher) clann name in localized portions of County Donegal where the surname originated.The name was spelled O'Gallchu, and in old Irish would have been pronounced roughly 'Goll-hew' or Gawl-hew (the O' means "of the generations of" usually translated "grandson of."
Like most families who still pronounce their name this way (a branch of mine being amoung them), the spelling was GOLLAHER, GOLLIHER, GALLAHER and a few others, and indeed, yours is spelled GOLLIHOR.I am convinced this pronunciation is a key to following the migratory patterns of a branch of Gallahers over the generations.Our surname in the old Irish is O'Gallchobhair, which meant "the foriegners [come to our] aid and succor," and the clan was originally a clan of warrior class families loyal to the O'Donnell clan in Ireland.They later branched out into the clergy.The name O'Gallchu would literally mean "grandsons of the foreign hound," a monicker not inconsistant with the O'Gallchobhair surname inasmuch as hounds were highly respected in ancient Ireland as loyal protectors of life and property, which is exactly what our clann's social contract original was.
3.The Cherokee connection is most interesting to me, inasmuch as when I was a child I heard oral histories recount how members of our family, not directly related, had Cherokee blood.The story was told with a degree of pride.I had totally discounted it over the years as I could find no evidence of its truthfulness until know.The fact that my ancestor, William Culbertson Gollaher, pronounced his name "Golly=er" after living in Illinois in the early 1820s through 1848 at least, and took this pronunciation with him to Utah where it is still used today is strong evidence we are connected in some way to this branch of Gollahers, et al.Your story now about the Cherokee blood is even more tantalizing to me.
Please do share your lineage with me.
I am Michael Monroe Gollaher
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