The foundation of your ancestor"™s strength is often found in the confrontational attitude that influenced them to stand and defend against negative circumstances, man-made or natural. Submission does not appear to have been in their DNA. At times, this may have caused them to fight even when a compromise would have ultimately benefited them. The motto "I prefer to die on my feet than to live on my knees," would ring true for many with the name ~ancestor~. With few exceptions, they were likely strong, independent, individualistic, and had a fair number of eccentrics.