Brodie can be a given name or a surname of Scottish origin, and a location in Moray, Scotland, its meaning is uncertain; it is not clear if Brodie, as a word, has its origins in the Gaelic or Pictish languages. In 2012 this name was the 53rd most popular boys' name in Scotland.[2] The given name originates from the surname.[3]
The lands of Brodie are in Scotland, between Morayshire and Nairnshire, on the modern border that separates the Scottish Highlands and Moray.[4] In the time of the Picts (pre 10th century), this location was at the heart of the Kingdom of Moravia.[5] Early references show that the Brodie lands to be governed by a Tòiseach; in Scottish Gaelic, Tòiseach translates as "chieftain" or "clan chief", later to become Thane.[6] Part of the Brodie lands were originally Temple Lands, owned by the order of the Knights Templar.[7] It is uncertain if the Brodies took their name from the lands of Brodie, or that the lands were named after the clan.[8]
Early references to Brodie were written as Brochy, Brothy, Brothie, Brothu, Brode.[9][10]
Various meanings to the name Brodie have been advanced, but given the Brodies uncertain origin, and the varying ways Brodie has been pronounced/written, these remain but suppositions. Some of the suggestions that have been advanced as to the meaning of the name Brodie are:
Gaelic for "a little ridge"; "a brow", or "a precipice";[11]
"ditch" or "mire", from the old Irish word broth;[12]
This page lists people with the surnameBrodie. If an internal link intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person's given name(s) to the link.
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^The history of the Province of Moray : comprising the counties of Elgin and Nairn, the greater part of the County of Inverness and a portion of the County of Banff, all called the Province of Moray before there was a division into counties (1882), vol. ii, p. 238 [3]
^An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names; By William Arthur; p. 82; Published by Sheldon, Blakeman & Co., 1857; Internet link
^The history of the Province of Moray : comprising the counties of Elgin and Nairn, the greater part of the County of Inverness and a portion of the County of Banff, all called the Province of Moray before there was a division into counties (1882), vol. ii, pp. 248–249 [4]