Category: Genealogy

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Gunn

The Gunns claimed descent from Olaf the Black, King of Man but the line has been discredited as an early mistake. The later Gunns claimed descent from Sweyn Asleifarson, a pirate who lived in the Orkney islands, but that line is also now known to be a fake.

The Gunns have been called the “MacGregors of the north”. They were not a large clan, but they were notably martial. The Gunn chiefs were powerful, although the clan was not numerous. At a very early date, they had acquired the character of being “bonnie fechters.”

The Gunn homeland was a rectangular area approximately 18 miles wide and nearly 40 miles long along the eastern Scottish coast in Caithness.

The common people of the clan were undoubtedly Picts, driven into the interior of Caithness by invading Gaels from Ireland. However, the chief’s family has a Norse origin, being descended from Sweyn Asleifsson, a 12th century pirate from Orkney. He was Norse governor of Gairsay. His exploits were recorded in the Orkneyinga Saga and, more recently, re-told by Eric Linklater in The Ultimate Viking (1955). Sweyn was killed in the Sack of Dublin in 1171.

Gunn Tartan
Gunn Tartan

The clan might take its name from “Sweyn’s grandson” Gunni Andresson. He acquired estates in Caithness and Sutherland by his marriage to Ragnhildr, sister Haraldr Ungi, Jarl of Orkney and Earl of Caithness. She was a granddaughter of St. Rognvaldr, Jarl of Orkney; and a descendant of Moddan, Mormaer of Caithness. Gunni’s son Snaekollr made an unsuccessful bid for the Orkney jarldom. He murdered his cousin John in 1231. In the ensuing wars, he lost his possessions in Orkney, transferred his base to Caithness, and is said to have built Castle Gunn on the coast of Wick. The family rose to prominence in the 14th and 15th centuries.

The territory of the clan lay on the border between the country of the Earls of Sutherland to the south and the Earls of Caithness to the north, while to the west of it lay Strathnaver, the territory of the MacKay Lords Reay. With all these neighbors, the Gunns from time to time had feuds and friendships. Notwithstanding feuds with their powerful neighbors, they extended their possessions in Caithness until about the middle of the 15th century. At the height of their power, they possessed virtually the whole of Caithness.

As well as holding substantial estates in Caithness and Sutherland during the 13th and 14th centuries, the Gunn chiefs also held the hereditary high office of Crowner or Coroner (Crown Lord) of Caithness. George Gunn of Ulbster, Crowner in the 15th century, transferred the family seat from Castle Gunn to Halberry, and kept great estate there. He was called Am Braisdeach Mor (Wearer of the Great Brooch) from his insignia of office. The Gunn chiefs’ Gaelic patronymic,MacSheumais Chataich, recalls their descent from James, son and heir of the Coroner.

About the beginning of the 15th century, the clan became embroiled in a running feud with their neighbors the Keiths, over the abduction of a daughter of the Braemor Gunns. In 1464, a meeting to resolve the differences was proposed, and the two clans agreed to attend with no more than 12 horsemen per side but, tradition relates, the devious Keiths turned up with two men to each horse and slaughtered the Gunns. Among the dead was their chief, George Gunn of Ulbster, Coroner of Caithness, from whose sons most “sept” families of the clan claim descent.

One of the reasons for the clan’s decline was the evolution of Scotland itself. The Norse vikings took the extreme north of Scotland — notably the eastern and northern shores, Caithness and Sutherland — along with the Orkneys, the Shetlands, and the Hebrides, from the original Pictish inhabitants in the 8th century and ruled there until the 13th century. In the 12th century, Caithness was still within the political orbit of the Jarls of Orkney. By the 13th century, primacy in Caithness was passing to the Scottish kings. Ragnhild’s brother Harald aligned himself with William “the Lion” of Scotland and profited thereby. In 1263 Alexander III of Scotland decisively defeated Haakon IV of Norway at the Battle of Largs, effectively ending Norse influence in the region. Unfortunately for families on the periphery of emerging Scotland, the Scottish kings, descended from the 11th century English princess St. Margaret, pursued a policy of stamping out Gaelic tribal culture and reorganizing the country along the lines of English feudalism.

Thereafter, the Gunns declined quickly. By the late 15th century, their strength was ebbing; estates were lost, and there was a shift to the highlands region of Caithness. In the 16th century, after their disastrous feud with the Keiths, the Gunns retreated to Sutherland. The chiefly family settled on the lands of Kildonan, where they became clients of the Earls of Sutherland. The Gunns were frequently embroiled in wars, being alternately on terms with the great rival families of Mackay, ancestors of the Lords Reay; the Earls of Sutherland; and of Sinclair, Earls of Caithness, to whom they were valuable allies or implacable foes. About 1586 the Earls of Caithness and Sutherland entered into a pact to destroy the Gunns, who then entered into an alliance with the MacKays. There were a number of indecisive battles, as well as great casualties on both sides, but the Gunns survived.

The chief’s family, the Gunns of Killearnan, lost their lands through debt after the house at Killernan was destroyed in a gunpowder accident. They obtained a new estate at Badenloch, where they tried to revive ancient splendor. In the Jacobite Rising of 1745 they fought for the government.

At the time of the Highland clearances in Sutherland, many Gunns were forced to emigrate to New Zealand and Canada. The chiefship went into not long after. William Gunn of Badeloch, the 8th chief, was killed in action in India in 1780. His brother Morrison Gunn of Badenloch, 9th MacKeamish, who died at Gibralter in 1785, was the last undoubted chief. George Gunn of Rhives, descended from a brother of the 6th MacKeamish, claimed the chiefship, but failed to obtain recognition from Lord Lyon. He died in 1859 and his two sons not long after. Until recently, the heir has been unknown. In 1972 Lord Lyon appointed Iain Alexander Gunn of Banniskirk as Commander of the Clan. In 1978 Banniskirk and the Earl of Kintore signed a Treaty of Friendship, ending the ancient feud between the Gunns and Keiths. More recently, Lyon Court has identified William Sinclair Gunn, of Inverness, as heir to the chiefship of the clan, but he has not yet applied for official recognition.

Septs

The Gunns split into branches (septs) after the death of George Gunn in 1478. George’s oldest son Seamas (James) Gunn moved to obtained lands from the Earl of Sutherland, and moved to Killearnan in Kildonan. He was ancestor of the MacSheumais (MacKeamish, MacHamish) Gunns. Robert, the second son, established his line at Braemore in the southern heights of Caithness. He was ancestor of the Robson Gunns. John, the third son, settled at Cattaig or Bregual in Strathmore. The Henderson Gunns and Williamson Gunns descend from George Gunn’s youngest sons, Henry and William. Other descendants established themselves at Crosskirk, near Forss on the north coast of Caithness, and at Reay, Strathy and Strath Halladale in the Mackay country.

The Westford Knight

The Westford Knight
The Westford Knight

Outside Westford, Massachusetts the image of a knight is said to be chiseled into rock. His coat of arms supposedly shows that he was a Gunn. How the image of a medieval knight came to made in America is a mystery, but some enthusiasts believe that the rock might have been a memorial to Sir James Gunn, a fallen member of the semi-legendary expedition of Prince Henry Sinclair to America in the early 15th century. Skeptics point out that an investigation by Harvard’s Peabody Museum failed to confirm a medieval origin. Except for the sword handle, which is a punch carving, the figure consists of scratches made by glaciation. Moreover, contemporaneously with the discovery of the figure in the 19th century, the Town Historian claimed the t-shaped sword handle had been recently punched into the rock by local boys. It seems that the Westford Knight is a good story, but nothing more.

 Lineal Genealogy

  1. Óláfr Hrólfson (c1075-1136), Gøding of Gairsay for Páll II, Jarl of Orkney. He married Ásleif (c1085-aft 1136). The Orkneyinga Saga says she was descended from a noble family. One source implies that she was daughter of Farquhar, Earl of Ross, and that it was through her that the family acquired lands in Caithness. Either she or her husband was a brother of Helgi of Tingwall.
  2. Sveinn Ásleifarson (c1110-1171),  one of the heroes of the Orkneyinga Saga. He was immortalized by Eric Linklater asThe Last Viking. He married Ingrídr Þórkelsdóttir (c1115-?), who was related to Haraldr, Jarl of Orkney.
  3. Andres Sveinnson (c1140-?). He married Fríða Kolbeinsdóttir (c1150-?), daughter of Kolbeinn “Hruga” and Herbjörg.
  4. Gunni Andresson (c1170-?), 1st Chief of Clan Gunn. He was once thought to have been a son Oláfr the Black, the Norse King of Man and the Isles. He married Ragnhildr Staegbrellsdóttir (c1175-?), daughter of Eiríkr “Staegbrells” Eiríksson and Ingrídr Rögnvaldsdóttir.
  5. Snækollr Gunnason (c1200-aft 1231). 2nd Chief of Clan Gunn. He murdered his cousin Jon Haraldsson, the last Norwegian Jarl of Orkney, in a dispute over lands. By that murder, he lost the war and any hope of gaining the title himself. He is not known to have had children. He is last mentioned in Norway, taking part in a rebellion against the king. He probably died there.

The line breaks here.

  1. Óttarr Snækollsson (c1230-?), 3rd Chief of Clan Gunn. He is said to have married a daughter of Óláfr II Guðrøðsson, King of Man. He was a Sudreyan chief from the west coast of Scotland, not the Orkneys.

The line breaks here.

  1. James (Seumas) de Gunn (c1260-?), 4th Chief of Clan Gunn. He was an adherent of King Robert the Bruce. No evidence he was an historical person.

The line breaks here.

  1. Ingram Gunn (c1290-1340), 5th Chief of Clan Gunn. He married a daughter of Gilbert, Earl of Angus, and Elizabeth de Comyn. He wasn’t a Gunn. He was really Enguerrand de Guînes, lord of Coucy.

The line breaks here.

  1. Sir Donald Gunn (c1320-?), 6th Chief of Clan Gunn. No evidence he was an historical person.

The line breaks here.

  1. James (Seumas) II Gunn of Ulbster (c1345-?), 7th Chief of Clan Gunn. No evidence he was an historical person.

The line breaks here.

  1. George Gunn of Ulbster (c1380-1464), 8th Chief of Clan Gunn, and Coroner of Caithness. In legend, he was killed by the Keiths at the Battle of St. Tears.
  2. Henry Gunn (c1410-aft 1468), ancestor of the Henderson Gunns.
  3. … Gunn (c1440-?).
  4. … Gunn (c1465-?).
  5. Roderick (Ruaridh) Henderson Gunn (c1490-?), ancestor of the Rorieson Gunns.
  6. … Gunn (c1520-?).
  7. Bessie Rorieson Gunn (c1550-?), mistress of John Sinclair, Master of Caithness (1543-1575).

Coat of Arms

The chiefship of Clan Gunn was adjudicated to be Iain Alexander Gunn of Banniskirk on Sept. 25, 2015. See “The Gunn Chiefship.” Clan Gunn Society <https://www.clangunnsociety.org>, Oct. 6, 2016.

Gunn of Banniskirk: Argent on a sea in base undy Azure, a three-masted ship Gules flagged of Scotland (Azure, a saltire Argent) sails furled Proper, on a chief Gules a buckle between two mullets pierced Or. Crest: A dexter cubit arm attired in the proper tartan of Clan Gunn, the hand Proper grasping a basket-hilted sword blade Gules hilted Argent. Motto: Aut pax aut bellum (Either peace or war).

Sir William Gun

William Gun belonged to the line of Robson Gunns, the Gunns of Braemore. They were descendants of Robert, a younger son of Am Braisdeach Mor. William was a younger brother of the Robson chief. In his mid-20s William Gun joined Lord Reay’s Regiment of Scots, later known as the Scots Brigade, and left his native Scotland in 1626. Although a Catholic, he went on to have a glittering career, serving as a mercenary under the banners of the Protestant kings Christian IV of Denmark and Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, fighting against the Imperial forces of the Holy Roman Empire. Captured by the Imperial general Tilly at Neubrandenburg, he was ransomed and released and was present at the battle of Lutzen in 1632 when Gustavus Adolphus was killed. Fighting subsequently under the Protestant generals Horn and Bernard von Saxe-Weimar he was present at their disastrous defeat at Nordlingen in 1634, having himself organised the retreat which saved Count Bernard’s life. Promoted to the rank of Colonel, he returned to London where he was recommended by Charles I to the service of Ladislaus, King of Poland and to Duke Radziwill. William soon returned to Germany where he offered his services to General Banér. His next action seems to have been at the Pass of Fresdorpe in 1636 when he commanded the thousand musketeers and two regiments of horse which dislodged the Imperialist defenders. Less than two weeks later he was given command of the advance guard of the Swedish army at the Battle of Wittstock where he beat off no less than eight charges by the enemy and was reckoned by one of his contemporaries to have been the “chief instrument in obtaining this victorie”. He was probably the Col. Gunn, of whom Banér writing to Oxentierna said “an arch-Catholic, on whom there is no reliance” (10 August 1637).

Returning again to Britain he took up the cause of Charles I and was appointed second-in-command of the Scottish Royalist Army under Viscount Aboyne. He was present at the battle of the Brig’ o’Dee in 1639 where his advice to Aboyne was ignored with disastrous results. He later joined the King at Berwick, where he was knighted. Shortly after he returned to Germany where, after years fighting the Protestant cause, he joined the army of the Catholic Emperor. He married a German noblewoman and was created a Baron of the Holy Roman Empire in 1646. He purchased the castle of Staufeneck and became well known as a tolerant lord, his church being open to both Protestants and Catholics alike. The Emperor promoted him to the rank of Major-General of the Imperial Army. His descendants include three kings of the Belgians, two Princes of Lichtenstein, and a Grand-Duke of Luxembourg.

Arms of Sir William Gunn
Arms of Sir William Gunn

The arms of Sir William Gunn (1603-1661) as a Baron of the Holy Roman Empire. They show an arm embowed in armor holding a sword erect for Gunn, quartered with the arms of his German wife.

References

  • Frank Adam, The Clans, Septs, and Regiments of the Scottish Highlands (1984).
  • Clan Gunn Heritage Center, The Clan Gunn and Its Country.
  • Alastair Gunn, Why Clan Gunn ‘Chiefs’ are not of Norse / Orkney Islands / Viking descent, visited Oct. 14, 2019.
  • Mark R. Gunn, History of the Clan Gunn (1984).
  • (Sir) Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk, Highlanders: a history of the Scottish clans (rev. 1982).

More Information

Revised Oct. 14, 2019 to add links; revised Oct 30, 2019 to remove link; revised Dec. 12, 2020 to add additional genealogical information.

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Wilson

  1. John Wilson (c1700-1783) and his wife Jean (c1705-?) came from Ireland to Berkeley County, Virginia.
  2. Rev. Jeremiah Wilson (c1735-c1813) moved first to New Jersey, and later to Bath County, Kentucky. He was the progenitor of a large family.
  3. Uriah Wilson (c1755-1825), served as a private in the Washington County, Pennsylvania militia in 1781, during the American Revolution. He married Deborah Cassidy (c1758-c1826). They moved to Nicholas County, Kentucky before 1790.
  4. Nathaniel Wilson (c1774-1828), served in the War of 1812. He married Mary “Polly” Jacks (c1778-?), daughter of John and Asenath (Martin) Jacks. They lived in Bath County, Kentucky.
  5. Uriah M. Wilson (1804-1838), a farmer in Bath County, Kentucky. He married Mary Hughes Gillespie (1812-adt 1882), daughter of Capt. Simon and Elizabeth (Simpson) Gillespie.
  6.  John C. Wilson (1832-1883), a farmer and blacksmith, moved to Tuscola, Illinois. He married Elizabeth Ann Mallory (1846-1910), daughter of John and Angeline (Hildreth) Mallory.  John’s early death left the family in straitened circumstances.
  7. Esseneth “Essie” Wilson (1878-1929) married Wilford Luce, a Wyoming rancher, and moved west.
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MacDowell

“To Conquer or Die”

The MacDowalls are a Scottish clan, heirs male of Fergus, Lord of Galloway in 12th century. One branch settled in Sweden, where they became Barons Duwall.

Fergus, whose ancestry is unknown, became Lord of Galloway in the reign of David I. Scholars believe he was candidate acceptable to both the Norse and the Gaels in Galloway. He probably had a Norse father and a mother who belonged to the ancient dynasty of Galloway. He married an illegitimate daughter of the English King Henry I, further suggesting a general pact to provide strong leadership in this lawless area.

The Lordship of Galloway continued in Fergus’ line until the death of his great grandson Alan, Lord of Galloway, about 1234. Alan’s daughter and heiress Devorgilla married John de Balliol of Bywell. Their son John de Balliol was Lord of Galloway. He was the famous John de Balliol, who contended with the Bruces for the throne of Scotland. John de Balliol gave his kinsman Dougal a charter in 1295 for the lands of Garthland.

Established at Garthland, the family became the Clan MacDowall, taking their name from Dougal, the 1st laird of Garthland. His brother Fergus was ancestor of the Fergusons. A year after the grant of Garthland, Dougal and Fergus M’douall appear on the Ragman Roll, a list of Scottish nobles who swore fealty to Edward I of England. Dougal’s grandson, Fergus, 3rd of Garthland, was sheriff depute for Kirkcudbright in the reign of David II. His grandson, Sir Fergus Macdowall, the fifth Laird, was taken prisoner by the English at the Battle of Homildon in 1401. Uchtred, 9th of Garthland, married Isabel Gordon of Lochinvar. Uchtred and his son, Thomas, were both killed at the Battle of Flodden in September 1513, along with James IV and the flower of Scottish chivalry.

The Macdowalls continued at Garthland until William, 10th of Garthland sold the estate about 1810, transfering the name to his estate at Lochwinnoch in Renfrewshire. The chiefly family emigrated to Canada at the end of the 19th century. The present chief, Fergus Hort Day Macdowall of Garthland, lives in Canada.

Members of the clan wear the Galloway District tartan.

Coat of Arms

Macdowall of Garthland: Azure a lion rampant Argent crowned of a ducal coronet Or. Crest: Issuant from a crest coronet Or, a lion’s paw erased and erected Proper holding a dagger point upwards Proper hilted and pommeled Or. Motto: Vincere vel Mori (To Conquer or Die). These are the arms of the ancient province of Galloway.

Galloway Tartan
Galloway Tartan

Duwall Family in Sweden

The Macdowalls of Makerston descend from Sir Dougal MacDowall, younger son of Sir Dougal, 2nd of Garthland. Of this line, Tobias Albert Macdowall of Makerston (abt 1541-1641) emigrated from Scotland to Mecklenburg, and much later, about 1594, settled in Sweden. In 1626 he was Baliff of Örbyhus and Tierp in Uppsala län. He died in 1641, nearly 100 years old, having outlived seven of his nine sons — all of whom were officers in the Swedish army. His son Jakob Albrektsson Duwall (1589-1634) had a distinguished military career and was posthumously created a Baron in 1674.

Baron Sven Johan Duwall (1746-1819), a descendant of Jakob Duwall, had an estate at Tyllinge in Dalhem. His bailiff (befallningsman or betjänt) was Jonas Svensson Wåhlstrand (1747-1800), an ancestor of the Svanström family.

Wåhlstrand Family

1. Sven Jonsson Wåhlstrand (1719-1778), Soldier at Kullstugan in Dalhem. He married Anna Andersdotter.

2. Jonas Svensson Wåhlstrand (1747-1800), Baliff of Tyllinge in Dalhem. He married Helena (Lena) Persdotter.

3. Anna Ingrid Wåhlstrand (1782-1850). She married Peder Jönsson Honnett (1780-1831), a cavalry soldier at Börsebo in Gärdserum. He fought in the Napoleonic Wars, was taken prisoner in 1805 and never returned. He is thought to have died at a prison camp in Russia, with others of his unit.

4. Inga Lena Honnett (1803-1870). She married Jonas Svanström (1794-1881), a tailor at Landsberg u Broddebo in Gärdserum.

More Information

MacDowall at MyClan.com at MyClan.com

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Diary of Esther Swanstrom

transcribed by Margaret (Porter) Riley

Thursday, April 3rd 1913

I am at home once more and very happy to be here although my trip was enjoyable all the way through. I came from Piney to Dunhame yesterday and Bert brought me from there home to-day on horseback. Poor Bert I am sure that his shoulder ached after carrying my suit case strapped over his shoulder for such a distance and at such a rate of speed.

My trip or rather the trip from Opal to Piney the before was the trip however. I came in from Kemmerer to Opal Tuesday and went directly from the train to the hotel and immediately to bed. It seemed that I hardly had closed my eyes when someone nearly broke in my door in an eager and frantic effort to arouse me from my sweet untroubled sleep. It was a call to action and the temperature of the room made the action necessarily swift. I was the last one for breakfast but Netty distinguished me with the honor of giving me some music on a very old and heart broken graphaphone. It is said that digestion is more easily carried on if one is in good spirits and music of course is supposed to have a very inspiring and pleasing effect upon both soul and body. Netty no doubt realized the necessity of such an effect when she brought me those three carefully trimmed cool hot-cakes.

At seven o’clock we were ready to start, six passengers, one driver, seven hundred pounds of mail and one rock. (Mr. Soliday heated that rock and put it in for my special benefit. He was thoughtful as to size and must have had a mental picture of my feet in his mind when he picked it up.) The sun was up and everything seemed to promise us a beautiful day and a pleasant ride. Opal looked very cute in the early morning with no noise or commotion to disturb its sweet tranquility. I say Opal lookedcute, because cute is a good word to apply to something very small and faultless.

We were seven to be seated and the seating capacity of two seats can seldom exceed three and must sometimes be limited to two, one for each seat. At this instance the general idea seemed to be that three people should occupy each seat and that the odd person, who was very odd indeed, should proceed to make himself as comfortable as possible upon the mailsacks.

I have heard or read or owing to some other method been made to believe the fact that Iowa’s greatest product in live stock is fat pigs or hogs. It seems very probable to me that people who look from day to day upon this particular species of the animal kingdom must by some method envire certain traits of said animal. This at least must have been true as to environment of shape and development of the two Iowa men between whom I must seat myself. I say ‘seat’ myself but the method which I was forced to use in order to keep myself in the seat could scarcely be said to apply to the position which we term ‘seated’. In order to be seated one must have contact with solid matter with at least a portion of the back of the thighs.

The only contact between myself and any kind of matter at all was from the side of my thighs and the matter which should have been solid was very wabbly and unstable indeed.

Consequently I was not seated until we were some distance on our way. The rocky and frozen road deserve thanks for the appreciable manner in which they made the unstable matter at my sides give way little by little until I finally reached the solid material under me. We rolled smoothly along (how could I at least shake?) through the pass and down the long uneven slope beyond. Four miles of the eighty to be covered before evening, were behind us when we suddenly stopped with a thud and a jerk. The front part of the open-spring-wagon-stage had joyfully succeeded in liberating itself from the rest of the conveyance-machine and had dropped us so hurriedly in its wild joy of achievement. With effort some one in our seat wag able to liberate himself from our wedge position after which achievement the unloading of the rest was less disturbing and more quiet.

Closely muffled and in gay spirits we waited there in the still shivering April morning sun while Sharp, instantly equal to the occasion, unharnessed a horse and galloped back to Opal for repairs.

The minutes passed and the hours were beginning to pass when we spied Sharp again returning over the hills. A few minutes longer and we were again ready, our spirits even higher than before. We had laughed at bad luck and thoughtful Sharp had brought us refreshments, part of which I noticed he did not deal out. I suppose he was considering the possibility of another rest when he witheld them.

Again we rolled along and I was just seated once more when we halted suddenly and everybody looked into a deep surging spring-time channel where there should have been a bridge. Again it was necessary for a certain few to wiggle themselves loose and descend to terra firma. Being one of two privileged members I was allowed to remain in the seat, and at once we started down the creek in search of a less angry crossing. I looked back once just in time to see the two Iowa men go splashing and jumping across the channel. i am sorry I was not there to hear if they grunted, because if they did it would be more evidence of their Iowa environment.

Our experiences in trying to cross the stream were many and various but the greatest event was the saving of our lives by Sharp. I do not mean to imply that our lives were of such great value, but anything involving true heroism is great, therefore, the act of saving our worthless lives was made great by great heroism. I hereby declare that Sharp was and is a hero, made of true heroic material, having saved the lives of two young ladies, one of whom is utterly useless. I told Sharp he was a hero but he did not seem to think so. He no doubt considered the source of the information. (To convince him, however, of my true sincerity and appreciation I left a box of cigarettes to be awarded him as a reward of merit through Charlotte.)

Having finally succeeded in crossing Craven Creek we once more rolled smoothly along, going up several hills and down quite as many. We were in the very heights of good spirits and even Sharp began to think there was no more danger of delays. He dealt out the remaining refreshments, which act was considered proof that all marks of danger and delay were passed. The refreshments consisted of crackers and cheese. To some he gave crackers and others he gave cheese. The cheese was quite odorous but even above this odor rose another more offensive. The cause was soon located by Sharp, but he was all perplexity. The axle of a wheel was badly bent and much heated, it needed grease but where could any be obtained? Never long without resources, Sharp suddenly demanded salve. Salve was right and salve was found and salve was applied to the wheel’s wound. Sharp was about to throw the faithful salve box away, when suddenly becomming more thoughtful of the future, he said, “Cloverine salve” and then put the box in his pocket. The remaining part of the day passed comparitively without any extraordinary occurrences. Jokes, stories, whistling and singing. Sharp said he wanted to cuss but curiously refrained by stuffing his mouth full of cigarettes. Midday meal station was reached at four o’clock and accordingly we had no supper. Ever thoughtful Sharp however saved me a cooky which someone gave him at a station and that helped. Poor kid, he had all kinds of bad luck and finally wound UD by loosing his coat, pipe, watch and ring.

We reached Big Piney at 11:45 P.M. and without any reminders everybody seemed to have made up their minds to go to bed.

Sunday Apr. 6th 1913

Today has been a quiet and uneventful day. (As I Suppose it ought to be.) Hugo rode Dickens up to Dunhums and got home without broken bones or serious accident. Dickens is quite a vicious horse and I have noticed that he switches his tail every time anybody hits him or spurs him sufficiently hard to make him aware of it.

I was forced to put my new dress away today, because every time I looked at it it looked more and more as if it wanted to cuss and that would have been terrible on Sunday. I know it wanted to go to the dance just as bad as I did but just the same it ought not to act so horridly about it.

Monday April 7th

The only thing which happened to-day which was out of the extreme ordinary was that Shorty and Mr. Miller came for dinner and supper. Of course they ate dinner first and then came back for supper. Mr. Miller seems to be a reasonable man but that Shorty is most unreasonable. I was embroidering a yoke for a night gown this evening and Shorty asked me what I was doing. I asked him if he really wanted to know and then he said “No.” I suppose he got afraid but that was unreasonable and cowardly. Mr. Miller is well read and intelligent. I like him because he takes my side in arguments and helps me sass Shorty very nicely They are both sleeping out in the snow, which is healthy for both

Thursday April 10th 1913

I rode down to the Metropolis with “Shorty and his assistant” Tuesday and returned by the same route to-day. That Baldy seems to think he has a right to claim the rights that would follow current report if said report were true. He undoubtedly thinks a grunt is some sweeter language than that of a pig.

Had a very impressive “introduction” to the new Dr. in Pine. He just arrived from Opal a few minutes before said eventful introduction “came off.” He was sitting beside the stove. (Not a very explantory paragraph, but never-the-less verysuggestive.)

Spent a pleasant evening last night at Atwoods, (To-spend evenings at night may Sound odd but it is not impossible.) An evening may be divided into two parts, Before and After. Each part is a distinct division. I like Before the best but most people like the After. One without the other is worse than neither. Both taken to-gether make a peanut and divided each part becomes a chestnut. The conclusion follows that two chestnuts make a peanut which is certainly true. Shorty used to be a chestnut and so was Edith. Together they were a peanut. Now Shorty is a smashed peanut and so is Edith. A smashed peanut is two crushed goodies.

Ellen said this morning as we were crawling out through the bedroom window that she wished some people would keep their troubles to themselves. We all hope that the Book-keeper likes the exact location of his room. (Explanations are unnecessary.) Ellen is a Lily, Billy is a brick, Eddie is a tu-lip and I am a bowl of mush. How must a brick, a tulip, a bowl of mush and a lily be compounded, so as to form two “pears”?

April 11th 1913

Went over to Crafts’ this evening and heard the news from far and near. I recognized a few items which I brought out from Piney to Mrs. Shipley myself, but let Mrs. Craft tell it all as pure news.

News Items

IDoe Dunhum is going to make a spring-wagon out of his auto. They say that his auto was a birthday present from Sears & Roebuck last year.

IIBuster Mclllvain sold his “Red Devil.”

Sat. April 12th 1913

I am over at Shaffers waiting for that stage to come along and pick me up. Harry and I have eaten half the apple sauce and have been spending the last two hours in a rolicking fashion. I am going down to Piney and from thence out to Stanley. Sunday. I wish that Stanley was what it sounds to be. If it were what it sounds to be Stanley would come to me and not I go to Stanley. Here comes that stage at last.

Monday April 14th

My first day teaching my  second bunch of cow-puncher Babes spent to-day. I am thankful for at least one thing regarding this school. There is no horrid bell to ring and call me back to duty so suddenly.

I am staying with Daniels. Daniels is a family name and supplies to the whole family. Mrs. Daniels is fairly in love with Ellen. She compares everything I have and everything I do with something that Ellen has and something that Ellen does. Gee-whiz: I awoke last night and found myself with my arm around Mrs. Daniels almost squeezing her to a smother. It was the purest and most shocking accident for several days. Ellen can just have all of her love. I think that some people have

not enough sense to love anybody really truly hard but Mrs. Daniels has enough sense to love the right thing.

Friday April 18th 1913

One whole long week of school is completed. “I feel so lonely so alone and weary”. The sun has been shining up on the mountains all day long, but down here it has scarcely shone at all. I would like to see somebody who is not a stranger to me. Even my trunk if they would only bring it out would at least look familiar to me, I think I shall go home, this school house looks like a potatoe bug and I feel

like a weeping willow. At least I feel like the weeping if I don’t feel like the willow. I no doubt look like the willow.

Tuesday April 22nd 1913

Nothing doing but Blanche and I have decided to go to Montana and teach about next fall. Wyoming is good but so is Montana. (all nonsense.)

There was a little breeze from the East that blew through here last week. The boys around here didn’t like such hot air at this time of the year so they drove him out of the country. Snowdrifts

and Eastern winds do not look good to-gether. The cow-boys have pretty good taste in most things but sometimes forget judgment, let me prove: – Last night I ate a piece of cake that B.D. had made. It wasn’t really cake but just “stuff”, but he ate it and said it was the first cake he had eaten that he didn’t feel like putting into capsules.

Monday Apr. 27th 1913

Mrs. Shideler and I went to Piney yesterday. I thought I would certainly see Ellen but she had gone home. That Baldy acts quite dippy. Dippy means to act the way one feels when one feels the way one shouldn’t act.

Mr. Miller wouldn’t act the way he didn’t feel but he wouldn’t feel the way he shouldn’t act.

I am going to buy a horse right away quick so that I do not have to be penned up so closely. Any body who can stand to be penned up is a chicken with his wings clipped off. A chicken with clipped wings is a fright. I wrote a letter to Mrs. Terrill last night. (very important) Miss Mabel hasn’t yet answered my 97 page letter. I should like see her.

Tuesday Apr. 28th 1913.

Nothing at all to report. How smooth and peaceful life can be. Blanch could not come to school yesterday because she sat up until 5:00 o’clock A.M. talking to Red. No wonder Blanche’s eyes are weak, I looked at him for just a moment last Sunday and my eyes were even then getting sore. Buckshot told the branding crew something terribly funny about Blanch. Buckshot really ought to warn Reddy.

I want to see Ellen so badly I can hardly wait.

Monday May 5th 1913

Back on duty. I went home Friday evening after school, reached Piney at 6:00. Ellen tried to get a pony to go out from Piney but was unsuccessful so she and I rode out double on my pony. I don’t blame Miller so very much but I do blame Shorty a great deal. (for what?) I guess Miller was cold but that Shorty looks hot enough for both. I can only think deep enough about Shorty to imagine what a cute watch charm he would make.

It was quite late when Ellen and i reached home and found everybody in bed, (Mamma makes a funny noise when she gets frightened.) Upon searching muddy we found that even singing would not circulate our blood fast enough so we considered walking but decided that we would shiver ourselves warm. Mamma made us some nice coffee and served us some nice coffee-cake accompanied by a roaring fire after which our spirits were again high. About 12:00 o’clock we began considering attending the Stout dance and since consideration of a subject always develops action we started for that point about 1:00 A.M. We danced until broad daylight and returned home. I returned to Stanley via

Piney Sunday. Miller is quite nice but seems quite “shivery”. Ellen said I could talk to him but when I accidently met him and he treated me on candy she made a face at me.

Monday May 12 1913

My thirty mile trip out home comes quite regular lately. I rode out Saturday and led my branch which was quite a task. A very nice cow-puncher caught up with me just beyond Marbleton and we rode out to-gether. (of course). I don’t know how really nice he was or rather is but he did have a big sack of candy – a great big sack, it was. I hope he has just as hard a time finding out who I am as I have finding out who he is. I didn’t see Miller at all which was a disappointment. It was a disappointment because I thought I would see him and I didn’t. I don’t care at all Pat. Baldy is a terrible thing but he gave me all of his doughnut which was quite generous. Miller never would do that. It took Wallace and I four hours to ride out from Piney which was certainly terrible considering the speed which we might have exerted. It is an easy matter to scare Wallace. Well good-bye Pat I must ride up to Mills’ to-night before I go home. Sabe?

Tuesday May 20th 1913

The most important event which has occured lately is of such little consequence that I will not record it. The smallest event, however, is of such great consequence that I will record it immediately. I have lost nearly all the buttons off my shoes and consequently cannot button them. This is of great importance if considered from the right standpoint.

I went out home again last Saturday morning. (which makes it nice).  Ellen was there when I came. (which makes it nice again) Good Enough and I had a dandy swim in the muddy. I rode out from Piney with the Piney doctor and he isn’t the least bit nice. He makes his horse go on one continual slow poky walk and he keeps saying the same thing about the country over and over again. He would hardly believe that I was from “the East”, which I take as a compliment. I met Miller Sunday evening in the Piney lane and he said he wasn’t cold. I cannot understand why he wasn’t cold, but I suppose it was straight goods. I received a letter from Hilma Sholund and she wants me to stay with them and attend

Washburn College which I would certainly like to do. I must put this behind the blackboard and shake the cow-bell immediately.

Wednesday June 18 1913

Quite a few days have passed since I scribbled here last but not very much of importance has happened. Had a nice time at the dance in Piney Monday night. I don’t know what made it a nice time but it was, so good-bye. Miller tries to handle hot air.

Thursday June 19

Had all kinds of fun last night. The first part of the evening wasn’t “so much fun; but the latter part did very well. Harry almost spoiled the whole evening by his crazy proposal. I told him “Nothing

Stirring” and tried to forget about it but I couldn’t right away. To save the evening, along came Jimmie Jensen and Leo Harsh. Blanche acted smart and after a while she and Jimmie jumped on the coyuses

standing at the gate. It was dark in the kitchen and I didn’t want to stay there alone with Leo so we decided to find out if there ware any horses in the corrals. We were unable to find any so I suggested that we find the Jack mule which we did. It was awful funny but we finally got him bridled and just as we got to the corral gate he began playing his band music and Leo could hardly make him stop. When we finally got through the gate Mrs. Daniels came out of her bed room door and began calling Blanch. We didn’t want her to see us so we kicked the mule but didn’t say a word, except to tell each other not to answer her. We took the ride and returned and sat in the swing awhile after which we happened to remember that we ought to go into the house. Blanch made Jimmie go home, I suppose she happened to remember Jesse, and after Blanch and Jimmie had gone Leopretty soon remembered to do the  same. Taking all things into consideration I believe I will sweep the floor and depart.

Thursday July 9th 1913

Nothing flies faster than time, unless it is Good Enough when she sees a donkey and I am riding her. Received a ten stamp letter from Du— this morning. Would like to be in Burlingame for a change. Received a letter from Kansas City yesterday but can only express my thoughts poetically about. It makes me feel something like this —

Are he gone and is he went,

Will him never come to me,

It cannot was.

(2)Won’t I meet his at the door,

Wont he greet I as before,

Oh,. it cannot was.

(3)Wont his see me like before,

cant I no more make him sore,

Oh it cannot was, it cannot was.

(4)Perhaps I meet he over there,

We might be in angel care,

No, that cannot was, cannot was.

(5)Mabe so that we don’t care,

Mabe yes we happy fare,

Sure that can was.

(6)Mabe yes we sometime die,

Mabe so the other cry,

Can it was? It can not was.

Thursday Sept., 11th 1913

Now I am positive that I am going to die. I just feel it all over myself and I am glad of it. There are nearly eleven more weeks of school and I am glad I will, not have to teach anymore. “Entyway” I hope somebody will feel a little sorry when they read my obituary. Just think of that thing of a Billy sticking in the mud somewhere between Opal and Big Piney. As the mail stage comes along, Sharpe will throw him a “Marbleton Republican” and standing there with thick mud up to his shoulders he will read about my death. He will know I died of lonesomeness and as he reads, tears of joy will roll down his cheeks and gradually the solid mud around him will melt and the torrent of joy-tears will carry all the mud away and Billy will be free. He will whip up his starving and famishing horses and hurry to Marbleton. Then as quickly as quickly as can be he will go for Miss Elizabeth (Eliza-take-a-bath) and together they will come to my funeral.

September 17th 1913

In the first place a day like today ought not to be at all. If anything happens on a day that ought not to be a day, whatever happened ought not to have happened. If anything had happened to-day it would not have been right. Nothing happened to-day, therefore today was not a day.

Paul Roth happened one day, which day I do not think really was a day. If Paul Roth happened on a day that was not a day, how can Paul Roth be right? If Paul Roth is not right he must be wrong. If he is not right side out he must be wrong-side out. If Paul is wrong side out he is crazy. If he is crazy he ought not to exist. If he exists and ought not to exist he is nothing. Nothing happens on a day which is not a day, therefore if Paul happened, nothing must have happend7 but Paul happend, therefore my conclusion follows that Paul is nothing. Oh Christmas: It is five o’clock and we have vegetable soup to-night so Good-Night Steve.

Sept. 19th 1913 Fri. 19th P.M.

I just feel as though I cannot keep from going home this evening but there are several reasons why I am not going.

1st. It would please me to much to think I was going.

2ndIt might please Billy too much also. It is not well for anyone to be too much pleased.

3rd.I promised to spend to-morrow with Mrs. R. H. Mills.

4I promised myself a whole long run-away Sunday to spend in the willows reading. I am not going to anybody that I do not intend to be bothered by anybody. Ellen or Bobby or Billy could come, but no one else and they could not all come. Only one would be allowed.

Thursday Oct. 2nd 1913

There is a dance in Piney town to-night but I am not going. I am getting too fat and wobbly to dance “enty way”. This is the way a number 18 corset fits me. Think of weighing one hundred and sixteen pounds!*!

And it happened in the year 1913 that a marvelous personage was found in the vicinity of Stanley, Wyoming. All endeavor and cunning which could be used to advantage was exercised in a vain effort to find out who the mysterious person could be. No die could be obtained as to as to parentage or kindred and she was named “Fatness” from her appearance. Fatness increased in bulk so noticeab1y from day to day that at last she could no longer live, with, or associate with any of the human race. One day, sad to relate, she was walking lonely and contemplatively between two hills, when lo and behold, before she was able to reach the end of the canyon her size had increased to such an extent that she could not move out of her wedge position and was squeezed to death in the loving embrace of the two hills. Thus died this great fat unequaled wonder.

Monday Nov. 23rd 1914(Hannibal, Mo.)

More than a year has passed since I last wrote in this diary. How marvelously short the year has been yet how many and how great the changes are. As I pause in writing so many experiences pass again through my mind – the faces and words of so many people are again before me. How strangely some look or expression seems to fasten itself to ones memory to be reviewed again and again with such nearness and vividness. There is Billy, Mother, brothers & sisters, Mrs. Terrill, Mabel and so many others that serve to complete the background of my memories. How far away they all seem to be – how impossible seems some of the distance that time has put between some of us. Mabel whom once seemed so near to me no matter what the distance in miles – how I would like to see you to-day – how I would like to break the barrier of time between us. Little College Junior that you are – you have left me in climbing for education because I am alone to fight against the odds which the world has built against me, but I will follow for I can feel the spirit of the years before me. How brightly the memory of your sunny winning generous nature lights the path ahead of me even as it so often has been lit behind me by you. Mrs. Terril1: you to whom I always felt and still feel so near yet toward whom I always appeared to feel aloof – how often do I look at your picture when I am lonesome and I feel comforted by it. How deep, how knowing, how painfully experienced and sweet your face is – what a world of comfort your presence is to-day to those about you! Sometimes even you are lonesome – I know you are – you want somebody near you whom you cannot have – you think something for which you are striving is useless and lost and I know there are tears in your eyes at such times. My experiences, different as they may be from yours, still make me feel that the same spirit which has helped you will help me and sometimes when i think of and look at you I feel almost to want to rush at the future with such fierceness that time cannot even stand in my way. You have not forgotten me by far – I know that positively, but I am with

you now as a memory — as one of your many many memories – sometimes you think of me deeply but almost as you think of the preface of some book which you have read – the story of which you couldnot read because of some circumstance. Yet if you could but know how surely you are stamped into my past and future into some of my very nature and actions. Yours and Mabels last letters are still unanswered and I cannot say why. Mother when I think of you I feel you rush over me like some protecting calm. You have fought where I am fighting and passed where I will pass in the near future. The fear of something unknown which creeps over me, the deep pangs which those we love sometimes thoughtlessly give, these emotions you seem to soothe as your presence often soothed me in my childhood. That little sentence written on the margin of Hildurs letter which I received to-day – just a little expression of love and a greeting, has cheered me all day long. Ellen and Hildur of you I feel almost farther advanced in experience than the difference in years would seemingly permit. Dear little beings without whom I would feel isolated, Ellen to whom I cling mentally almost constantly – how dear and pure and lovable you are, yet how unconscious of your worth. The very fact that you cannot see yourself in your true relation to others shows shows how deep unconscious real worth is of self. Little Tid, my witty self-willed little sister not for millions would I put in your place any other. How original and bright are your actions and words and how much love you have in your little heart. Hugo to you I can give true admiration, How few young men ever reach to your standard. You seem to be or rather to force yourself to be entirely void of faults so often found in your sex. Thoughtful and morally strong you embody all worth. Little Brother that has so good an opportunity you are like a very spring of resource in your action. How different this world would be with environment such as yours for all.

Billy, my own Billy, to whom I have given everything of which I am made. You are so deep in your feelings and so unconscious of the effect of your actions over me. Not for worlds would you at heart hurt me but you feel so irresponsible for yourself. Dearest Man there is no power on earth which could induce me to give you up. You shall and you will conquer the demon of drink for yourself, for me and for our little unborn Babe. Though I battle through my whole life to wake you I know it shall be done. Handsome, young, and powerful in so many ways do you think that any action of yours can utterly discourage me? When I love you so deeply now do you imagine I will ever from any cause cease to love you? Man that you are – for one single caress or word of praise from you I gladly work for hours, for days, weeks, and months. One word of anger or reproof from you seems to me a very torment yet I am not too weak to do with purpose that which I think might accomplish so much for you in return. Dearest Billy, you are so much to me that for you alone could I endure the sacrifice which I feel certain I will be compelled to follow.

You my little Babe of the near future – you seem so sacred that I do not feel that I ought to write to you with my natural hand writing. Could you but know the part you must play in the drama of life of your father and mother: Ah my Little Billy surely you will be capable of any miracle. My little Babe if you never live to remember your Mother – if I am not to live for you my little Billy – do for your father what I would give my life time to do. To you my little son or daughter I may leave the task for which I would gladly live through any torture to accomplish. Save your father from the demon of drink – from his irresponsible feeling. My little dear you will, some day be a man or a woman. Make yourself so strong and pure that the moral degradations of the world will cause you to shudder with fear. Little Billy if you are a son shun for those whom love you and whom you love the degrader – the saloon. For your wife whom you will some day love you must nourish in yourself the best and truest arid purest that could come into your life. To her, my son, give yourself from the very bottom of your heart – learn to understand how nature has endowed a true woman with emotions deeper than any abyss. Be a man such that people will feel you – such a man that my fondest hopes may not be in vain. If you fall do not give up – it is placing the time when we shall do better in the future that causes the harm. Your father expects always to conquer in the future – of course it could not be the past — but ah that future which is always ahead of the present. The sorrow caused in waiting for that future is often so great that even future can never heal the wounds.

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Origin of the Surname Hauri

An updated version of this information appears on Geni.com.

The standard spelling of the name is now Hauri in Switzerland and Haury in Germany. In the United States, the usual spellings are Howery, Howry and Howrey. In early records the name is variously spelled Haury, Höri, Horin and Houri. We find Hovri at 1282, 1303 and 1308 in Steffisburg, Hoori 1310 at Jegentorf, and Hörinus in Latin charters at Beromünster in 1313 and 1324. These various spellings might point to slightly different pronunciations.

According to the Staatsarchiv des Kantons Aargau, the Hauri family originated at Beromünster, and subsequently spread into Sursee and surrounding communities. Before 1800, various members of the family were citizens of the following communities [Emil Meier, Familiennamenbuch der Schweiz (Zürich 1968-71)]:

Hauri, at Hirschthal, Moosleerau, Reinach, Reitnau, Seengen, Seon, Staffelbach, and Zofingen in Aargau.
Hauri, at Härkingen in Solothurn.
Hauri, at Schötz in Lucerne.
Haury, at Mauensee in Lucerne.

The following surnames, which appear as citizens before 1800 [Emil Meier, Familiennamenbuch der Schweiz (Zürich 1968-71)], probably have a separate origin:

Haari, at Lenk and Niederried bei Interlaken in Berne.
Harer, no information.
Hari, at Adelboden, Frutigen, Kandergrund, and Kandersteg in Berne.
Harri, at Kandersteg in Berne.
Härri, at Birrwil and Othmarsingen in Aargau.
Heri, at Biberist, Derendingen and Gerlafingen in Solothurn.
Heuri, at Hägendorf in Solothurn.

Etymology

According Dr. J. J. Siegrist at the Staatsarchiv des Kantons Aargau, it is generally accepted that the surname Hauri is derived from the Alemannic verb hauren, which meant “to speak loudly.” The noun form, hauri, could be applied to a loud person, or possibly to a boaster. The Alemannic dialect of German is spoken in southwestern Germany and in German Switzerland, the ancient duchy of Alemannia (Swabia).

This theory is supported by the following sources:

Albert Heintze, Die Deutschen Familien-Namen (Berlin 1933) defines the name as an overly loud person [”ein über lauter Mensch”].

Patrick Hanks, ed., Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford University 2003) identifies Hauri as a Swiss-German nickname meaning “crier,” from the Alemannic hauren, “to cry.”

Max Gottschald, Deutsche Namenkunde, unsere Familiennamen nach ihrer Entstehung und Bedeutung (Berlin 1954) defines Hauri as a Swiss name meaning either an owl or an overly loud person. [”Hauri: 1. Schweiz “Uhu,” 2. “überlauter Mensch.”]

Hans Bahlow, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt (Frankfort-am-Main 1985) derives Hauri from the Alemannic hauren, and equates it to Schreier and Brummer:

“Haury, Hauri (n) nur in der Schweiz,= “Schreier” (zu alem.hauren); vgl. Brumsy “Brummer” (zu brumsen).”

“Schreier s. Schrei: Vgl. Schreijagg-hans, -vogel. Auch Schreiert.”

“Brummer (Hbg. oft, Meckl.): ndd.=”Dnurrer, Schreier”, auch Brumm (e). Joh. Brummere 1339 Lub. Vgl Bummegrelle 1369 Brschwg., grelle = “Speiss” wie in Schleppergrelle. Ein Brummelbar 1366 Grfsw. Zu Brummel vgl. aber brum = brom = bram “Moor” in den ON. Brummel (Westf: Brmlo) u. Brumsel/Ems (Brum-seli) wie Bramsel (Bram-seli 890).”

Worth Considering

1. From one of my correspondents: Most Swiss surnames ending in -i or -y have a devolved occupational or locational suffix. In plain English, the -i evolved from -er. Thus, Jager turned to Jaggi, von Regl turned to Regler then to Regli. Hauri could easily have derived from Haurer, with Haurer meaning “from Haur” or “someone who Hauers.” So, the name might have originally been Haurer or von Haur.

2. The surname Hauri might be derived from the place name Höri. I have talked to scholars who dismiss this possibility, and to some who accept it. In medieval High German, certain dipthongs merged into others by a process that is well-documented. For example, [ou] and [u:] merged into [au]. Those who dismiss a derivation from Höri say [oe] could not become [au]. Yet, the earliest Hauri at Beromünster wasHörinus.

3. There is a Höri in Zürich, consisting of Endhöri, Niederhöri and Oberhöri. I have not been able to find an etymology for Hori, but one correspondent says it was a common feature of the Swiss landscape. The village in Zürich has as its coat of arms two crossed silver cake forks in blue, accompanied from four golden cakes. The arms are said to refer to the property ofKüchelers Höri, suggesting the name might have been derived from an oven.

4. There is a place named Höri in Reichenbach im Kandertal, Berne.

5. There is a peninsula named Höri in the western Bodensee, which belonged in medieval times to monastery at Reichenau. A local story says God created the peninsula as the last and most beautiful place on earth, with the words “Jetzt hör’i auf!”

6. The name Hauri might derive from Horen. There is a ruined castle by this name at Küttigen in Aargau. However, the original name of that castle is unknown. The ruin took its name after the Middle Ages from neighboring fields. Still later, in the 19th century, it came to be called Rosenberg. The castle was built in the first half of the 12th century and abandoned about 1200. Küttigen was then owned by Stift Beromünster (from 1335 to 1535 it was in the possession of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem). The castle might have served as a residence for the klösterlichen Meier.

For What It’s Worth

In the Battle of Sempach (1386) those killed included three brothers von Bärenfels; Thüring I, Ritter von Hallwil; Rudolf I von Schönau, called Hürus; five Lords von Reinach; and others. The nickname Hürus (“the Mighty”), which was applied to others in the same period, might have some etymological connection to Hauri.

Nonsense

Some other etymologies have been suggested, but must be dismissed as having no foundation:

1. Some sources suggest that Hauri might have been the title of the speaker of a court or a term for a town crier. Dr. J. J. Siegrist at the Staatsarchiv des Kantons Aargau characterized these theories as “nonsense.”

2. Dr. Oscar Kuhns, “German Family Names” in America Germanica V, (University of Pennsylvania, 1902), p. 305, suggested that the name Hauri was originally a nickname for sharp-minded or high-spirited person. He derived the name from two stems, hug + hart. He defined hug as “mind, spirit.” He neglected to define hart, but presumably intended it to have the normal meaning of “hard, sharp, severe.” Dr. J. J. Siegrist at the Staatsarchiv des Kantons Aargau characterized this theory as “nonsense.”

3. An unknown source claimed that the name Hauri comes fromhouri, a term for one of the nymphs who serve the devout Moslem in Paradise, and by extension, a description of any beautiful woman. I find nothing to support this theory. Most etymological dictionaries derive the word from the French houri, via the Persian huri (”a nymph in Paradise”), and ultimately from the Arabic haura (”to be beautifully dark-eyed,” like a gazelle). The word did not appear in French until 1654, nor in English until 1737. It is unlikely to be much older than that in German. One off-beat source derives the word ultimately from Ishtar, said to have been called Har, and relates the word to the English words harem, harlot and whore, as well as to the Greek Horae, the goddesses of the seasons.

4. Charles Montandon, Origine des Noms de Familles de Suisse Romande derives the name Hauri from the German word for hero. There is nothing to support this theory:

“Haudenschild – Bouclier du héros, en vieil allemand, comme Hauenschild. Le germanique hald, held, héros, halhari, armée héroïque, a laissé aussi Held, Heldner, Heldenmayer (intendant preux), Hauri, Haury. Le germanique hild, combattant, a donné Hild, Hilden, Hilt, Hilty, ainsi que Hildbrand, Hildebrand, Hildebrandt, Hildenbrand, Hilderbrand, Hillebrand, Hiltbrand, Hiltebrand (feu du combat), enfin Hiltbrunner (source du combat) et Hiltpold (audace du combat).” (2.3.97)”

“Held = héros, preux. Kuhn, Kühne, Kuonen, Kuoni = hardi, courageux. Kraft, Krafft = fort, vigoureux. Wild = sauvage. Marti, Marty = martial (du latin Martinus, de Mars, dieu de la guerre). Krieg, Krieger = guerrier. Buhler, Bühler, Buhlmann, Bühlmann = homme courtois, galant.” (11.9.94)”

“Hodier – De l’ancien nom germanique Haldhari (= armée héroïque), comme Haudier et Audier. L’ancien germanique hald, héros, ou hild, combat, a donné également Hude, Hudry et Hauri. Cependant, Haury signifie aussi “forge” en gascon.” (23.1.94)”