name meanings - Neville

[nb100uk]

No: HPFGUIDX 34454

> >
> Debbie said: 
> There's another Neville (or rather several of them) in English 
> history from the Wars of the Roses timeframe.  > 
> It would be fascinating for our Neville to turn out to be some sort 
> of kingmaker in the sense of making a choice that had a decisive 
> effect on the outcome.  But I think we may be reading too much into 
> this -- perhaps Neville was chosen simply because the name sounds 
> aristocratic and his family is wizarding pureblood.
> 
> 
Neville's always been a favourite of mine, partly because of the name 
JKR chose.  IMO Neville Longbottom is a regional name choice, with 
JKR trying to invoke the character's accent and background. I've 
always thought that Neville, along with Seamus, Dean and the Patil 
twins, was not named for any deep and meaningful reason, but to 
convey a sense of ethnicity and family background.

I come from Lancashire in northern England, near towns such as 
Manchester and Liverpool.  In this part of the world, surnames such 
as Ramsbottom and Longbottom are very common, with town and village 
names that are similar.    

Likewise Neville (and his Uncle Algie) are very northern, working 
class names. Also mentioned in PS (SS) is my home town of Blackpool, 
where Neville was dangled off the end of the pier.  For those from 
foreign parts, Blackpool is a VERY brash seaside resort (often called 
Vegas-by-the-sea) that is visited by many Brits for a day trip or 
summer holiday (never confirmed but I'd bet JKR had a trip to 
Blackpool as a child).  

The film's portrayal of Neville was spot on for me with a slightly 
tubby Lancashire lad playing the part.  Sorry to step on anyone's 
opinion, but here in the UK, Neville is SO not an aristocratic name.

Moved to delurk and post by the mention of Neville,

NB