Link: Shetland genealogy

[Skoosh]

Once you get into the mid 18th century the surnames change each generation. Manson is son of Magnus.

Skoosh.

[Cazza47]

Thank you. It has certainly made it more challenging but that can be a good thing, always new things to learn.

[Skoosh]

Basil seems a bit novel maybe after a minister/laird/ships-captain?

Bests,
Skoosh.

[Forfarian]

I am doing a family tree for a friend whose maternal side are from Shetland Isles mostly Unst & Yell it is so confusing, I have a William Basil Manson b 1780 Yell, marrying Janet Scolley I found marriage details on Scotlands People but he was called William Basil Henry, on Bayanne's site his father is Magnus Henry where does Manson come from? I have come across quite a few people who do not share their father's name, and so many of them end in son which I know is quite common. Bayanne site is wonderful so much information.

The surname Manson is derived from Magnusson. Shetland retained the patronymic system to names much longer than mainsland Scotland, so William Basil, son of Magnus, makes absolute sense.

[Skoosh]

Cazza,  a Basil reference, the north Shetland isles kept their Norse customs longer. Catch the accents on the dialect map here!

https://www.shetlanddialect.org.uk/basil-r.-anderson

Bests,
Skoosh.

[Cazza47]

Thank you, all very interesting, have never really thought much about the scottish islands before, now am keen to know more.

[Crumblie]

You don't just get surnames ending in 'son' on Shetland there are also some which end in 'daughter'.

[Skoosh]

Like in Scandinavia! 

Skoosh.