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Archiver > GenMassachusetts > 2000-04 > 0955516907


From: Warren Wetmore <>
Subject: Re: [GM-L] Connecticut--I wish, I wish!
Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 00:21:47 -0500
References: <49.2908d9f.26252ad7@aol.com>


> BELL
> A name taken from the sign of an inn or shop, a bell being frequently used.

Since we've just passed Tartan Day, I hear the skirl of
the pipes in the name.

Most BELLs were originally Scots Borderers -- possibly
even those who came to Puritan New England (there
are a good number of Scots, Welsh and Irish surnames in
Savage).

http://www.tartans.com/clans/Bell/bell.htm

http://www.clanbell.org/

http://www.impressions.uk.com/clans/clan_181.shtml

Technically, like their fellow Borderers ARMSTRONG,
DOUGLAS(S), KER(R), HEPBURN, LITTLE et al., they were
a family, not a clan, but the Standing Council of
Scottish Chiefs seems to be granting clan status
to a lot of families, including my once-clanless,
TAITs.

Alexander Graham Bell was one of them. So when you
think of Ma Bell or the Baby Bells, a phone rings
somewhere back in Dumfriesshire.

There's also a Bell's Scotch whisky, distilled in
Blair Atholl, Co. Perth & Kinross.

Deoch-slàinte!

Warren Wetmore

FYI -- St. Andrew's Day - Nov. 30.


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