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ALLERDICE
 
ARDISNet... "The Internet Home For ARDIS / ALLERDICE and Related Surnames"
including the Present-Day Spellings of...
ALARDYCE, ALDERDICE, ALDERDYCE, ALERDYCE, ALLARDICE, ALLARDYCE, ALLERDICE, ARDES, ARDIS, and ARDYCE
and the Historical/Possibly Obsolete Spellings of...
ALARDUS, ALDARDICE, ALDARDYCE,  ALDIRDICE, ALERDASH, ALERDES, ALERDICE, ALERDISE, ALERDYSE, ALIRDASSE, ALIRDES, ALLARDES, ALLARDIS, ALLARDISE, ALLARDYSE, ALLDERDICE, ALLDERDYCE, ALLERDAIS, ALLERDAS, ALLERDASH, ALLERDASHE, ALLERDES, ALLERDYCE, ALLIRDAS, ALLIRDASSE, ALLIRDES, ALLYRDAS, ALLYRDES, ALREDEIS, ALRETHES, ALYRDES,  and ARDICE.
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The ALLERDICE Homepage

 
 
-- Thomas John Ardis, Austin, Texas USA

 

“An uncommon name, it is descended from an old family that lived along the banks of the 'Bervie Water'. The ancient barony of Allardice (also called 'Alrethes') can be found in the ancient Kincardineshire, near the Arbuthnott parish and estate.”

 

This, according to --

Scottish Clan and Family Encyclopedia, by George Way of Plean and Romilly Square. London, Harper Collins. ISBN 0-00-470547-5.

The entry for "Allardice" further indicates the motto of this ancient family is -- "In the defence of the distressed."

It has been suggested elsewhere that ALLARDICE, ALLERDYCE, ALLERDICE. ALDERDICE, ARDES, and ARDIS are but spelling variations... of ONE name! This will not seem so strange when you realize that the ancient pronunciation of ALLERDICE is believed to be something approximating "AIRDIS".

In the modern day it is common for us to expect regularized spelling. This was not even a concept until dictionaries began to appear, around 1700. Also, prior to mass literacy it is not uncommon to see records with three, four, or even five different spellings... for ONE person! It's not hard to see how ONE family could be subject to various spellings... through time, and as they dispersed geographically... especially to new lands.

So, are ARDIS Folk really ALLERDICE Folk? Or, put another way, are people with the ancient ALLERDICE name, with all it's various spellings, really part of the modern ARDIS Family?

If so, we would hardly want to ignore it! Do we have proof? Well, some. What I propose is that we explore this fascinating possibility. Let's see what proof there is... and perhaps develop some of our own.

Will we ever know for sure? Probably not... at least in genealogical terms... of finding one particular ALLERDICE... who became an ARDIS. But, does a BOYD, a CAMPBELL, or a MacDONALD have any doubt that he is part of the ancient Scottish family whose name he bears?

It's easy for him... when the spelling matches! But, how many people actually have the genealogical descent chart to prove their kinship with the ancient names? They rely on the available evidence... however much... or however little.

I believe we can develop some good evidence to support the idea that ALLERDICE became ARDIS. After it's all said and done, however, some things in life we may just have to take on faith... right?

Enjoy the exploration!

What's This About "ALLERDICE"?

ALLERDICE (many spellings) is an ancient name in Scotland, and is a recognized Sept (Alardyce) of Clan Graham. It is believed by some that ARDIS, at least in certain instances, is a relatively modern "corruption" of ALLERDICE. This is not quite so difficult to imagine when you realize the original pronunciation of ALLERDICE is believed to have been "AIRDIS". What looks like a completely different Surname may, in fact, only be an evolution in spelling!

Research on the Surnames ARDIS (America, Canada, Northern Ireland), ARDES (America, Canada, Scotland), ALDERDICE (America, Canada, Northern Ireland), ALLERDICE (America, Canada, Scotland) are all of great interest to us. We are also interested in expanding our limited information about ARDIS as a possible Surname in such places as France, Switzerland, Italy, Turkey, Russia, and... wherever... perhaps as a "separate occurrence" of the Surname... possibly as the SAME Surname.

We would like to hear from Folks having the ARDIS and Related Surnames... or with any information about these Surnames... as they occur anywhere in the world.

-- Thomas John Ardis, Austin, Texas USA 

 


A Word About Surnames

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Aberdeen & North East Scotland Family History Society




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Last modified: March 18, 2008