Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X, list of Scottish personal names).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
GAVIN. A medieval Eng. name, now rare exc. in Scotland. Sc. forms are Gaun, Gawn (Sc. 1721 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. 120; Ayr. 1785 Burns Holy Willie's Prayer xii.; Fif., Ayr., Wgt. 1975), Gaen (Ayr. 1826 R. Hetrick Poems 61), Ga'in (Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 10), Gaan (Sh. 1896 J. Burgess Lowra Biglan's Mutch v.), Gaawn (Sh. 1877 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 134).