An informative article from the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs:The Clan System:The clan system as we know it today was created over the course of a few years in the first quarter of the 19th century.The clan system as we know it today was created over the course of a few years in the first quarter … Continue reading The Clan System
Tag: Genealogy
The heraldic fraud (II)
I got one of these certificates from a vendor in a mall back in the nineties (before I knew better) that purported to tell the history of my surname. I keep it to remind me how easy it is to be taken advantage of. If any positive can come from the experience, I did gain … Continue reading The heraldic fraud (II)
Origin legend of the name "Blevins"
As far as things go, Blevins, is a recent (a few hundred years old) variation on ancient Welsh word, Bleiddwn, which can be translated as Wolf-man, from the Welsh word for Wolf, "Bleidd". Other variations on the name include Bleddyn, Blethyn, Blethin, Blethen, and Blevin. I've also heard that the -yn at the end of … Continue reading Origin legend of the name "Blevins"
John L. Knighten – Just the Facts
In the previous post I introduced the story that has circulated in parts of our family for many years: the idea that my great-great-great grandfather, John L. Knighten, had Cherokee ancestry and was known by names such as “Johnny Lighthorse Nightingale.” Like many family traditions, the story is intriguing—but before exploring it further, it is … Continue reading John L. Knighten – Just the Facts
Cherokee Knightens – Intro
In Morgan County, Alabama legend, there exists the enigma of John L. Knighten, who some claim to be a full-blooded Cherokee who lived from 1849 to 1943. He was my great-great-great grandfather. I don't believe that the legend has been fabricated, but some of the details may have been embellished over the years. The problem … Continue reading Cherokee Knightens – Intro
