Am I the “Son of a Preacher Man”?

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Have you investigated the etymology of your name? Here’s a little-known fact: Many surnames are derived from employment. Examples include Hunter, Mason, Miller, and Smith. Others are derived from places, such as Hill and Wood.

I grew up in a house with country music playing on an inexpensive record player. One of the songs I frequently heard was written by American songwriters John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins. Recorded by British singer Dusty Springfield for her 1969 album, Dusty in Memphis, the song was titled Son of a Preacher Man. Hurley and Wilkins initially proposed the song be recorded by Aretha Franklin. She found it disrespectful. However, after the song was recorded by Dusty Springfield, Franklin recorded it.

I didn’t think much of the song at the time. My family wasn’t particularly interested in etymology.

Several years ago, I was inspired to track down the origin of my surname. Mac and its short version Mc mean son of. So, I’m the son of something or somebody. Pherson is derived from parson. As it turns out, I’m the son of a parson. The 1969 song recorded by Dusty Springfield now has meaning: I’m the son of a preacher man.

My Dad was never a minister, parson, or preacher. I suppose if I went far enough back through the family lineage, I would find a preacher. I suspect I’d find a hill, a hunter, a mason, a miller, a smith, and a wood, too.

Although he was never a minister, parson, or preacher, my Dad was a lifelong educator. Despite my parents telling their three children not to follow in his footsteps, we all did. My brother is Professor Emeritus, like me. My sister retired from a career in the public-school system. All three of my parents’ kids went on to become teachers.

Teaching is not far removed from preaching. The former, when done well, is rooted in evidence instead of in faith. However, public speaking assumes many forms, including teaching and preaching.

Back to that song from 1969: Son of a Preacher Man is about a girl who meets the local preacher’s son and becomes infatuated with him. This never happened to me, probably because nobody in the village of Weippe, Idaho knew the etymology of my surname. Or, maybe it was because I wasn’t actually the son of a minister, parson, or preacher. In any event, I encourage you to listen to the song. I will not play it here because of the copyright issue on this monetized channel. However, I’ll drop a link in the description beneath this video.

I also encourage you to determine the etymology of your own name. Perhaps it will have some meaning for you. If you’re lucky, it’ll provide a little comic relief, as well as providing meaning.

As I substitute teach at the local schools, I frequently encourage students to find meaning in their lives. I believe doing so instills a sense of purpose. As when I was teaching on various college and university campuses, I continue to encourage students to seek meaning. Why are we here? Why are you here? The latter question applies more broadly than this classroom.

Is there meaning to my existence? Is there meaning to your existence? What about our communities? Are we filling our days with meaningful moments? Are we creating such moments, for ourselves and others?

Thoughtlessly idling the engine burns fuel while the driver is stuck in place. Where do you want to go? Where do you want to be, here and in the future?

I frequently ask students why they are here. Not here in the classroom, but here on Earth. Why are you here, now? These questions apply to all of us. I encourage you to mention them the next time you’re invited to dinner. This will almost certainly ensure that your future dinners are restricted to people who appreciate you.