US Presidents: Born to lead?

"Some men are born to lead and others have........", well however it went it got me wondering if this was actually true. Whilst social standing would give the child a head start, does the family name or title play any part?

Taken in chronological order, we start with George Washington whose ancestral home is at Sulgrave in Northamptonshire but a surname from the northeast of England describing 'the farmstead associated with a man called Wassa'. Not the best basis for the most powerful man in the world.

John Adams is predictably 'son of Adam' and ultimately from adama the Hebrew word meaning 'earth' and a reminder that the Greek god Zeus is said to have fashioned man from the earth. This could certainly be seen as a man of the people, salt of the earth, and a potential vote winner.

Thomas Jefferson is, again predictably, the 'son of Jeffrey' or Jeufroi when it first came to English shores via the Normans. It is also possibly this is Geoffrey, in which case this is a variant of Godfrey and a name meaning 'peaceful ruler', and certainly an image a politician would hope to project.

James Madison, a name meaning 'son of Maud', a German short form of Matilda which itself means ''strength in battle' and certainly a name which suggests strong leadership.

James Monroe is certainly a Scottish name but one which came to Scotland from Ireland some time during the twelfth century. Here there are two possible Gaelic origins, Maolruadh being 'the red haired tonsured one' or less likely 'a man from the River Roe' in County Derry.

Andrew Jackson clearly 'the son of Jack or Jacques', the christian name is ultimately from the ancient Hebrew Yochanan, itself telling how 'Jehovah has favoured me (with a son)'. Not a particular strong meaning although it could be argued the two strong syllables make the meaning irrelevent.

Martin Van Buren the eighth president takes his name from the Dutch town, thus telling us the family were 'of Buren' in Holland, itself thought to describe 'the dweller in the inner room'. Again not the strongest of meanings for a leader.

William Harrison is, rather predictably, 'the son of Harry, or Henry'. However the name Henry shares its derivation with Heinrich, a German name meaning 'the ruler in the home' and could be seen to be a strong name, in the sense of 'ruler', and also a weakness in only ruling of a few.

John Tyler's family bestowed upon him a name which is a trade name, the 'tiler' is seen in Latin tigele and Norman French tuilier. Hardly an inspirational name, unless the roof of the nation is leaking.

James Polk is an unusual name from one of the Slav nations with an origin speaking of 'the man of Poland'. Doubtless those of Polish descent will find this of interest but it would hardly have universal appeal outside of Poland.

Millard Fillmore at last has a name which may well earmark him for leadership from the day he was baptised. However this is entirely dependent upon this being derived from an Old English christian name, in which case it really does mean 'very famous'.

Franklin Pierce, a name which is derived from the christian name Peter through the French Piers. While this may appeal to Peters everywhere, or even the religious by association with St Peter, it would not be enough to swing an election in his favour.

It is no surprise to find the surname of James Buchanan to be of Old Scottish origin. It is an old place name from Stirlingshire and comes from Gaelic buth Chanain and describes 'the house of the canon' and thus also having religious connections. It seems unlikely the combination of religion and Scotland would be enough to get a person elected.

Universally known as 'Honest Abe', that would certainly have been enough to get Abraham Lincoln elected, however he did not earn that name until around the end of his term of office. His surname is a place name, one derived from the city near the east coast of England, which speaks of 'the Romany colony by the pool'. This is an odd place name for the 'pool' is actually a part of the River Witham which broadens out and is not an actual pool in the accepted sense, while the idea of busy colonists is also incorrect for this was a place set aside for retired legionaires. While the Roman idea might be a vote winner, if the electorate knew this was a retirement colony they might not be so keen to place a cross alongside the name.

Andrew Johnson a name which is clearly 'the son of John' and one where we can go a little further and look at the origins of the christian name. Ultimately this is Hebrew Yochanan and means 'God has favoured me (with a son). Maybe not the most popular surname with the voters.

Ulysses Grant depending whether this migrated to the US from Scottish Grant, Belgian Grand or French Legrand, this is ultimately derived from the same source as Latin graunt meaning 'tall' or alternatively 'large'. Note it was also used in medieval Europe instead of the modern 'senior', when father and son shared the same name. If this last meaning was promoted this may indeed convey the image of grand age and with it wisdom and sagacity.

Rutherford Hayes is a place name, usually one used as a suffix but also found alone, particularly for minor names. As this is fairly common it is difficult to distinguish between the three Old English origins of haes 'the place of brushwood, underbrush', horg 'the enclosure', or hege 'place with a hedge'. None seem in the least beneficial as a strong name for a leader.

James Garfield may be seen to have a name of strength, for this is Old English gara feld and 'the open land shaped as a spearhead (ie triangluar)'. Of course the association with a certain lasagne-loving feline may well detract from any other benefit of the name.

Chester Arthur clearly has a first name for a family name, one which has two possible origins and where both speak of great strength and/or leadership. If this is from Welsh, it is arth 'bear' and gwr 'hero', or if Norse from Arnthorr then arn 'eagle' and Thorr the god of thunder.

Grover Cleveland takes the name of a place in the northeast of England which comes from clif land and tells of 'the cultivated land by the cliff or bank', hardly the most stirring rally call on the hustings.

Benjamin Harrison brings no surprises at as coming from 'the son of Harry or Henry' and, as with William Harrison, ultimately from the German Heinrich meaning 'the ruler in the home' and could be seen to be a strong name, in the sense of 'ruler', and also a weakness in only ruling of a few.

The family of William McKinley had a name which has two possible sources and where Irish or Scottish combines with Norse to refer to 'the son of the white-skinned warrior'. However it is hard to see how this would influence the voters.

Franklin Roosevelt one of two presidents with this surname, the family of merchants from Holland whose Dutch name describes them as coming 'from the rose field'. Their standing in American history would seem to serve them better than the meaning of their name.

William Taft has a name which is a corruption of the Scandinavian toft, although it may be difficult to win many votes for being described as 'an outbuilding'.

Woodrow Wilson is 'the son of William' and a name which would be a potential vote winner if promoted as being introduced to the English-speaking world by William the Conqueror.

Warren Harding has a surname dating from at least the seventh century when most secondary names would describe the warrior, a god, or glorification of some powerful animal. Here the name speaks of 'the son of the hard one', which may be of benefit provided he was not seen as a troublemaker.

The ancestors of Calvin Coolidge brought the family name from Cambridgeshire, a name which describes 'the ridge or escarpment of the hill' from Old English coll ecg. Again nothing particularly stirring about the etymology of this name.

Herbert Hoover is a corruption of the original German name Huber, itself describing 'a man who owns a hube of land', this equates to anything from thirty to sixty acres (depending upon the quality of the soil) for it refers to productivity rather than area.

Theodore Roosevelt the second of this name to serve as president, coming from Holland their name is Dutch and describes them as 'from the rose field'. As previously their reputation probably stands them in better stead than the meaning.

Harry Truman possible the perfect surname for a politician for it means exactly what it says. From Middle English trewe man comes 'the faithful, trustworthy, steadfast man'. Of course this means the electorate would also have to believe him.

Dwight Eisenhower could trace his family's ancestry right back to its origins in Germany where his surname came from their trade as 'iron workers'.

John Kennedy is fairly well known to be from Irish immigrants, the name featuring two elements cinn eide which could be either 'helmeted head' or 'grim head' depending upon the source of the translation. Indeed the translation would be important if it was to be used a potential vote winner.

Lyndon Johnson as with his namesake Andrew this is from 'the son of John' and ultimately Hebrew Yochanan meaning 'God has favoured me (with a son). However the voters did not favour him with a second term of office.

Richard Nixon a name which features a shortened form of 'the son of Nicholas', it is the christian name which may do something to improve the image of a president few would argue is not the least popular in the history of the nation. Nicholas comes from two Greek words nike meaning 'victory' and laos meaning 'people', an excellent vote winner were it not for the association with 'Tricky Dicky'.

Gerald Ford was a man who famously never actually elected to either the presidency or vice-presidency. So perhaps the less than stirring origin of 'the river crossing' hardly matters.

Jimmy Carter takes his name from a trade, carters being 'transporters of goods'. Maybe the thought of transport and hard work would be seen as worthy of election. Ronald Reagan's ancestors emanated from Ireland, their surname comes from Irish riodhgach meaning 'impulsive', not exactly the best trait for a politician.

Of course both George Bush Snr and George W Bush have served terms of office, hence this would tend to suggest this surname did not do a great deal to harm the latter's campaign chances. The name is one of the oldest surnames on record, which started as referring to a place marked by a prominent bush.

Bill Clinton takes his name from a corruption of the village of Glympton in Oxfordshire or Glinton in Northamptonshire. The former describes 'the farmstead on the River Glyme' and the later 'the farmstead marked out by a fence'. Neither of these give an impression of strong leadership.

Barack Obama's family derived their name from an Arabic term meaning 'handsome, good' and, with beauty in the eye of the beholder, may be seen as immodest or boastful and not exactly a desirable trait in a leader.

In conclusion it seems the answer must be a resounding 'no', ancestry in the form of one's name does not suggest good leadership qualities. So back to rolling dice or similarly random selection process.

UK Prime Ministers: Born to Lead?

"Some men are born to lead and others have........", well however it went it got me wondering if this was actually true. Whilst social standing would give the child a head start, does the family name or title play any part?

Taken in chronological order, we start with Sir Robert Walpole. Now while he is generally recognised as the first to hold the position, it did not become an official title until early in the twentieth century. Thus the name of Sir Robert Walpole, a place in Suffolk which is derived from Old English walh pol and describes 'the pool of the Britons'. The word is Saxon for 'foreigner', effectively referring to the Welsh and gave rise to the English name for Cymru of Wales. This could be regarded as patriotic.

Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington. There are two Wilmingtons in England, one in Devon and the other, to which this title refers, in East Sussex. It is important to know which for they have slightly different meanings. Here a Saxon personal name and Old English ing tun combine to describe 'the farmstead associated with a man called Wighelm or Wilhelm'. His family name is also a place name, Compton being among the most common of names and usually found with an addition for distinction. Indeed because the name is so common it is impossible to know where the family name came from without an exhaustive search of the family history, even then it would be unlikely to be certain. However the meaning is invariably the same, from Old English cumb tun it describes 'the farmstead in the valley'. Clearly of no help to a political career.

Henry Pelham, here the place name is found in Hertfordshire, indeed three places Pelham Brent, Pelham Furneux and Pelham Stocking. Here a Saxon personal name and Old English ham speaks of 'the homestead of a man called Peola'. The additions are hardly more inspiring regarding potential leadership, Brent is from 'burned', Furneux recalls the de Fornellis family who were lords of the manor in the thirteenth century, and Stocking is either 'made from logs' or 'tree stumps'. Maybe even a hindrance in the Houses of Parliament.

Thomas Pelham-Hollies, 1st Duke of Newcastle - no surprises to find his title refers to 'the new castle', possibly a sign of leadership. Here the double barrelled name describes 'the homestead of a man called Peola' and 'the place of holly' - no help there.

William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire - although the official name of the county is Devon, it is often referred to as Devonshire meaning 'the scir of the territory of the Dumnonii tribe'. Cavendish is a place in Suffolk, a name meaning 'the enclosed park of a man called Cafna' and almost certainly the origin of the family name. Maybe this could be seen as patriotic, yet patriotism depends upon which side of the fence the observer is sitting. One man's patriot is another man's rebel.

John Stewart, 3rd Earl of Bute - the title is from Old Scandinavian bot 'piece of land', an accurate description of the region. As a surname it can be traced back to a Breton knight who came to England after the Norman Conquest, it is a variation of the Scottish Stuart, from stigeweard 'the warden of the sty'. Not a great vote winner.

George Grenville, a family name which came to our shores from Normandy, avariant of Granville and probably describing 'the grand ville'. Maybe of some help, but only maybe.

Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham - the double barrelled family name features Watson or, rather unsurprisingly, 'the son of Watt'; with Wentworth, a place name found in Cambridgeshire and Yorkshire, which means 'the enclosure of a man called Wintra'. The title is hardly more inspiring, for it is a Northamptonshire place name referring to 'the homestead of the family or followers of a man called Hroca'.

William Pitt the Elder, 1st Earl of Chatham - Pitt is a family name found in the south of England, derived from Old English pytte meaning 'pit, hollow'. The title is from the Kent town of Chatham or 'the homestead in a wood', where Old English ham combines with Celtic ced. This may qualify as the least helpful.

Augustus Fitzroy, 3rd Duke of Grafton - hardly seems worthwhile mentioning the family name means 'son of Roy', while the title is a common English place name with at least nine examples all with a common origin in graf tun from Old English and meaning 'the farmstead in a grove'. Again, not stirring any passions.

Frederick, Lord North - With his title representing his surname, this clearly is a place name and one which is easily recognised but impossible to tie down to an area and no vote winner. William Petty-Fitzmaurice, 2nd Earl of Shelburn - The surname is a combination of French petite and Irish 'son of Maurice', while the title speaks of a lost place name meaning 'the shelter by the stream'. Scenic but not stirring.

William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland - the double barelled surname features elements referring to a Suffolk place name meaning 'the enclosed park of a man called Cafna' and an Old German personal name from Bento. The title clearly comes from the Isle of Portland and describes 'the estate by the harbour'. Not a lot going for William here.

William Pitt the Younger - a surname which is quite common and impossible to pin down to any location where it speaks of 'the pit, hollow'. As bad as his father.

Henry Addington - several places, all 'the farmstead associated with a man called Eadda or Aeddi'. Not of much help.

William Wyndeham Grenville - Wyndeham is a corruption of the place name Wymondam or 'the homestead of a man called Wigmund', while Grenville is most likely a French place name meaning 'the guarded village', that is a stronghold. Might project a sense of security, but only might.

Spencer Perceval - is taken from the first name, itself thought to be 'the pierce valley' and a reference to a poacher or perhaps a soldier who broke through a defensive line. Surely an ironic definition for the only (to date) British prime minister ever to be assassinated.

Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool - Banks is a topographical feature, Jenkinson is derived from Johannes and means 'the child favoured by God', while Liverpool describes 'the thick or muddy pool'. Whatever is gained by the surname is offset by the title.

George Canning - a place name in Wiltshire meaning 'the place of the family or followers of a man called Cana'. Nothing to be gained by this definition.

Frederick John Robinson, 1st Viscount Goderich - Robinson is a surname meaning exactly what is says 'the son of Robin', while the title is 'rich in God or goodness'. For those of a religious mind this may sway the vote Goderich's way.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington - Wellesley is a place name meaning 'the western woodland clearing', while the title is another place name meaning 'the farmstead associated with a man called Weola'. If his political career had been based on his name rather than his military career he may well have failed.

Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey - is either a nickname for someone with noticeably grey hair and/or beard, or transferred from a Romano-Gaul name meaning 'pleasing, happy'. This could have put a smile on the face of the electorate.

William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne - lamb could easily refer to as someone who tended young sheep, a nickname for someone considerd meek, or a corruption of 'land'. The title is an Old English term for a 'mill stream'. No help here.

Sir Robert Peel - has several possible meanings but with a connection. This could be a reference to a tall person, a pole, a stake - all of which suggest height, dominance, strength, which might be seen as symbolising a strong figure.

Lord John Russell - derived from a christian name meaning 'son of red', which cannot be seen to aid his political career in any way.

Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby both the surname and the title are place name, Stanley is 'the stony woodland clearing' while Derby 'the village frequented by deer'. Not a great help to Edward.

George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen - his double-barrelled surname describes 'the farmstead at the treeless hill' with 'the spacious fort', while the title is a place name referring to the 'place at the mouth of the River Don'. No help here.

Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston - his surname is derived from the Knights Temple, or perhaps a place associated with the religious order, while the surname is probably a place name derived from a surname (Palmer) meaning 'the pilgrim'. Another which may appeal to the religious vote.

Benjamin Disraeli - his surname is clearly a Jewish reference but it is difficult to trace the exact path for there are examples of this place name in various countries. This hardly helps in deciding if the name is good or bad.

William Eward Gladstone - a surname derived from the place in Lanarkshire with a name telling of 'the rocks frequented by kites (the bird)'. Some might see the rare bird symbolically rising and soaring majestically on high.

Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury - the double barrelled surname, Gascoyne is a name derived from the French region of Gascony, itself of unknown origin, while Cecil is from a Welsh Christian name ultimately from the Roman name Sextus. The title of Salisbury speaks of 'the stronghold of the Sorvio', those who inhabited the fort which was Old Sarum. Might be a sign of strength as could the following name.

Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery - the surname is traceable back to Dunfermline and 'the lands of primrose' which translates as 'the enclosure on the moor. The title is from Scotland and a place name describing 'the stronghold on the moor'.

Arthur Balfour - a Scottish surname meaning 'the place of pasture' and of no help to his political career.

Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman - Campbell is Gaelic and described someone with a 'crooked mouth', while Bannerman means 'standard bearer'. Possibly the best so far as a standard bearer, although he might want to hide his apparent sneer.

Herbert Henry Asquith - a surname from a place name of Old Scandinavian origin describing 'the wood of ash trees'. Herbet will never gain any friends with this and David Lloyd-George - the double-barrelled surname takes an early word meaning 'grey' and add a trade for George as a surname means 'farmer', will not see this as a vote winner.

Andrew Bonar Law - Bonar is a surname of French origin meaning 'handsome, of good bearing', while Law is from Old English hlaw meaning a 'mound, tumulus'. The good points of Bonar will be offset by the minus points of Law.

Stanley Baldwin - a composite of words meaning 'bold' and 'friend' would seem excellent credentials for a leader. Ramsay MacDonald - son of Donald is not particularly inspiring, even if we knew what Donald had achieved. Neville Chamberlain - an official in charge of the private chambers of his master and thus a servant, not a leader.

Winston Churchill - a place name describing 'the church on the hill' hardly makes Sir Winston stand out. Clement Attlee - an Old English place name meaning 'at the woodland clearing' would be hard to inspire any voter.

Sir Anthony Eden - a composite of two elements meaning 'prosperity' and 'bear cub' may seem cuddly to a small child but not to the electorate.

Harold Macmillan - name 'means son of the devoteed or saintly one' would be hard-pressed to convince the voters he was in any way credible.

Sir Alec Douglas-Home - Douglas is 'the dark stream' and Home exactly what it seems combine to leave no impression.

Harold Wilson - 'son of William' is as inspiring as the offspring of Douglas. Edward Heath - obviously 'the heathland' and perhaps would leave the country equally a wasteland.

James Callaghan - 'descendant of the one of turmoil or strife', considering the problems of his short period in office, is probably well named.

Margaret Thatcher - a trade, one who thatches roofs could be seen to be keeping us dry and warm, although these hardly seem attributes which instantly spring to mind when thinking of the Iron Lady.

John Major - a French name meaning 'the council of a spear', quite possibly the best message of them all, conveys a message of democracy backed by leadership and strength.

Tony Blair - a Gaelic word meaning 'a plain', or flat, featureless and completely uninteresting.

Gordon Brown - a nickname for one's hair or complexion or dress said to resemble that colour and conveying an idea of something rather drab.

The current incumbent is David Cameron - a name from Gaelic for 'crooked nose' and surely a bad idea for anyone to ever be linked, however tenuously, to dishonesty.

So to answer the original question the answer must be a very definite "NO!" With one or two exceptions virtually no name could ever be said to carry any promise of a good leader. Indeed the best surname, that of John Major, simply did not fit the man or his two terms in office at all. Perhaps closing our eyes and stabbing a pin in the ballot paper is still the best option.