10 Things You Didn't Know About Amanda Palmer

4. She's Part Scottish

Although she was born and raised in America, much of Amanda's family were originally from Scotland. The stories of her family history often focus on her maternal grandmother, who was born on the Isle of Skye and whose brother died on the ship that bought them to America. Palmer's middle name, MacKinnon, comes from this side of her family, and many of her relatives still live in Scotland.

When Palmer married Neil Gaiman they agreed to take hyphenate their names rather than having Amanda take Neil€™s surname. While Amanda added Gaiman to her own name, she requested that he take her middle name instead of Palmer. She has since stated that this is because of the importance she places on her Scottish heritage. Their full names are now Amanda MacKinnon Gaiman Palmer and Neil Richard MacKinnon Gaiman.

By pure coincidence, Neil had already purchased a house on the Isle of Skye, close to where Amanda's family had lived, several years before the pair met. The house was used by the pair when they returned to Scotland for their wedding party in 2014.

Contributor
Contributor

With a (nearly) useless degree in English literature and a personal trainer qualification he's never used, Freddie spends his times writing things that he hopes will somehow pay the rent. He's also a former professional singer, and plays the saxophone and ukulele. He's not really used to talking about himself in the third person, and would like to stop now, thanks.