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"ARTHUR . G.Artair, MG Artuir, Eir. Artur,
from Oir. art, a 'bear', W.arth. The name may
point to early Celtic worship of the bear, whence Artogenos,
'son of Artos', W Arthgen (SGS., I, p. 11). The
name occurs several times, both among the northern and southern
Cymry at the close of the sixth and beginning of the seventh centuries.
(Zimmer, Nennius Vindicatus, p. 284). Aedan mao Gabrain,
king of Dalriata, whose mother was a British princess, named his
eldest son Arthur, "the first Gael, so far as we know, to
bear that name" (Watson I, p.129). Arthur of Kyncorth
is mentioned in 1435 (RAA., II, p.69). Thomas Harthawr witnessed
a commission of bailiary, 1511 (Panmure, II, 279). John
Airtheor juror on retour of special service in Duns, Berwickshire,
1678 (Home , 194). "The fore-name Arthur is common
in Shetland now (1879), but I rather think it is only a seventeenth
or eighteenth century corrupt form of the Old Northern 'Ottar'.
Last century, 'Otto' or 'Otho' or 'Ottie' was a frequent forename
here; and now no case of it occurs. In our North Isles it has
even been Judaised into 'Hosea", so that 'Otto Ottoson'
was transmuted into 'Hosea Hoseason'- so written, but pronounced
'Osie Osieson' " (Arthur Laurenson in letter to Karl Blind,
Nineteenth century, V, p. 1112). Arcthure 1686, Arthure
1530, Arthwire 1556. Chester Alan Arthur (1830 - 1886), twenty-first
president of the United States, was son of a Belfast minister
of Scottish descent."
from "The Surnames of Scotland" George F. Black 1993
ISBN 1 874744 07 6
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