Other signs of national identity

Names

 

The prefix "Mac" or "Mc" in surnames (such as McCall, MacCarthy, MacDonald) is always either Scottish or Irish. The prefix "O" (as in O`Brien, O`Hara) is distinctly Irish. A very large number of surnames (for example, Davis, Evans, Jones, Lloyd, Morgan, Price, Rees, Williams) suggest Welsh origin (although many of these are found throughout England). The most common surname in both England and Scotland is actually "Smith".

First names can also be indicative. The Scottish form to "John" is "Ian" and its Irish form "Sean" (although all three names are common throughout Britain). There are also nicknames for Scottish, Irirsh, and Welsh men. For example, an English, Welsh or Irish person might prefer to and adress a Scottish friend as "Jock", whatever his first name is. Irishmen are called "Paddy"  or "Mick" and Welshmen are known as "Dai" and " Taffy". If the person is not a friend the nickname can sound rather insulting. 

 

 

Clothes

 

The kilt, a skirt with a tartan pattern worn by men, is a very well-known symbol of Scottishness (though it is hardly ever worn in everyday life).

 

 

Musical instruments

 

The harp is an embem of both Wales and Ireland. The bagpipes are regarded as distinctively Scottish (though a smaller type is also used in traditional Irish music).