[muawiyah]

The Aurness folks come from Sykkylven in West Norway originally. This is near where Rollo, who founded the Norman dynasty in what is now called Normandy, came from in the 10th century.

Kaiser Wilhelm actually sent materials to fix up the town when it burned to the ground in the middle of Winter.

I'd just guess a lot of people from that town left for America about that time.

[exit82]

Thanks,Muawiyah. I would have pegged Arness as Scottish, not Norwegians. Good info.

[shhrubbery!]

The Aurness folks come from Sykkylven in West Norway originally

That's why I got a little annoyed with O'Reilly for pronouncing it "Arnez" --making it sound more like Desi Arnaz's name than Arness's.

The name "-nes" (liternally, "nose") in Scandinavian languages means peninsula, IIRC.

Many Scottish and British surnames and place names also have "-ness" at the end, with same meaning.

[ /OT etymology ]