Originally posted by Lang Spoon
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The Dough thing is just people pronouncing their name wrong. Next time you meet one of these people Ursus, give me a ring and I'll set them right.
Speaking of which, I discovered that Albert Thayer Mahan, the great Naval historian/theorist wasn't of german or french origin but actually Irish. The variety of different ways his name gets pronounced, would leave you with no clue. HIs parernal grandparents came over from ireland in 1802 and his father is one of those 19th century military people where it's unclear whether they were born in Ireland or the US. There were huge advantages to being born in the US, particularly if you wanted to be in the army. (Fucking Genocidal monster Phillip "the only good indian is a dead one" Sheridan being the prime example) Given that he was baptised within two days of arrival in america, it would seem as though he was born on the boat.
Given that his mam was called Cleary, and albert's dad was called Dennis, would strongly suggest that it's just a version of McMahon, and they came from north clare/east galway, because Irish names were extremely geographically specific in 1800. It's the same name as the golfer Hunter Mahan, and the way he pronounces that would almost make you think he was persian.
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