'Malachi Moss'

Because it's a typical Irish name...

Tinkers are Irish travellers. In England they are also, insultingly referred to as 'Pikeys' - I presume May wasn't really that happy that her son had such a name as people looked down upon them.

I get what you say about it being typically Irish and I understand that "tinkers" are Irish Travelers, but I was confused about what would make it a "tinker name" as she put it.

Would *any* typically Irish name be called a "tinker name" by May? Would she consider Father Melia's name "Malachi Melia" a "tinker name"?

Obviously all Irish people aren't Travelers, so I'm curious about her choice of words.

Is this her father's prejudice against Irish-Catholics rubbing off on her -- even though she was raised RC?