Ulster Ancestry - Ancestral and Family Research in Northern Ireland

Ancient Irish Names & their History

All materials on this page are used with the kind permission of Pat Traynor.

Revised and adapted from "Irish Pedigrees" by John O'Hart, (Dublin 1892)
Volume 1, pg. 855. Volume 2, pg. 566.

As many of the ancient Irish surnames are not recorded in O'Clery's or in MacFirbis's Genealogies, or in the Linea Antiqua, or in the Betham Genealogical Collections, we have collected from "The Topographical Poems of O'Dugan and O'Heerin,""The Tribes and Customs of Hy-Fiachrach," and other works published by the Celtic and Archeological Societies in Ireland, the following Irish family names, and the modern anglicised forms which they assumed; (Hy-Fiachrach = descendants of Fiachra)

-The Name-	-Has been modernized as-
Clann Fhearghus	Fergus
Clan Shane (a Sept of the O'Farrells)	Shaen
MacAindris	Andrews, MacAndrew, Anderson
MacAnluain	Ganly
Mac an Bhainbh	Hogg. Hogge. Banff
MacBrehon	Judge
MacBlosky	MacCIosky, Closky
MacConluain	Conlan, Colwan
MacCosby	Foote("cos;"Irish, the foot)
MacCale (1)	.....
MacCrossan	Crosby, Crosbie
MacCoinin	Cunniam, Cunnion, Canning
MacConghaola	Coneely
MacCiochain	Keeghan, Keegan, Cockane
MacCarrain	Currin, Curran
MacConboirne	Bourns
MacConcathraigh	MacCarrick
MacCionnaith	MacKenna (of the Meath Hy-Niall)
MacConleitrech	obsolete
MacCarrghanma	Carron, MacCarron, MacCarroon, MacCarhon, Carson
MacConin	Kennyon, Canning
MacCailleachain	Keelchan, Coward, Keelan, MacCallin
MacCuinn	Macken
MacEoghain	MacOwen, MacKeon
MacFirbis	Firbis, Forbes
MacFinnbhair	Maginver, Gaynor
MacGilli Bhain	White, Bean, Gilwaine
MacGilli-Bhuidh	MacAvee, Kilboy, Gilboy
MacGilla Chaise	Kilcash, Cash
MacGiolla-Duibh	Gilduff, Kilduff
MacGiolla Phoil	MacGilfoyle, Gilfoyle, Paul
MacGilla Kenny	Kilkenny
MacGilli-Riabhaig	Kilrea, MacIlrea, Gray
MacGilla tSamhais	MacIltavish, MacTavish
MacGila Sinin	Synan
MacGillifin	Gilfin, Gilpin, Gill
MacGilimir	Gilmer,Gillmor
MacGillimore	Merryman
MacGillicuskly	Cuskley
MacGiolla	Gill, Magill
MacGallogly	Ingoldsby
MacGiolla Fhalain	Phelan
MacGiolla-Cealaigh	Kilkelly, Killikelly
MacGilli Briein	Brickin
MacGuiggan	Maguiggan, Goodwin, Godwin
MacGunshenan	Magunshinan, Nugent, Leonard
MacLaighid	Lye, Leigh
MacLave	Hand ("lamh ;" Ir, a hand)
MacMurchada (of Ulster)	MacMorrow, MacMarray, Morell
MacMahon	Mathews, Fitzursula
MacNebo	Victory, Victoria
MacNamee	Meath, Mee
MacNeill	MacNeil
MacOdhrain	Magoran, Orum, Orme
MacOscar	Cosgrave, Costello
MacPartholain	Bat, Bats, Batson, Bateson
MacReachtagain	Rafter
MacSimoin	Sims, Simmes, Simpson, Simkins, Simcocks, Simon
MacSpeallane	Spenser
MacSpallane	Spenser
MacTaidhg	MacTague, MacTeig, Montague, Montagu
MacTyre,	Wolf, Wolfe
MacUaithnin	MacHoneen, Green, Greene, Tonyson, Tennyson
MacUlahairg	MacGolderick, Goderich, Golding, Goulding, Waller
Maclnogly	Ingoldsby (See "MacGallogly")
MagAedha	Magee
MagFlannagain	Flannagan
MagFhionnain	Gannon, Ginnane
MagFhiachra	McKeighry, Keary, Carey
MagLannagain	Lanigan
MagRodain	Grayden, Roden
Magilsinan	Magilsitnan
Muintir Ceallaigh	O'Kelly and Kelly, in Londonderry,
Muintir Lideadha	O'Liddy and Liddy
Muntir Ubain	Hoban
Murtagh	Mortimer
O'Airmeadhaigh	Armedy, Armidage, Armitage, Armytage
O'Aimirgin	Mergin, Bergin
O'Aodha,	in the county Mayo is generally anglicised Hughes. (2)
O'Banain	Bannan, Bannon
O'Baetheghaile	O'Boyle, Beahilly, Beatley, Beale
O'Barrain	Barrington
O'Banain	Banan
O'Bearga	Begar, Biggar, Bera
O'Beollain	Boland
O'Beirne	Briun
O'Birn	Brin, Bruen
O'Blighe	Blighe
O'Breithe	Broghie, Brophy
O'Bruadair	Broder, Broderick, Bradner, Brothers
O'Brogain	Brogan
O'Breen	O'Brien
O'Brislain	Brislane, Breslin
O'Breadhdha	Bray (of Imokilly, co Cork)
O'Brachain	Brahan
O'Broduibh	Brodiff, Brodie, Brody
O'Brien	Brine
O'Byrne	Leycester, Lester, Lyster, Warren
O'Caemhagain	Kevigan
O'Cathniadh	Kane
O'Cathain	Keane, Kane, Kyan, O'Keane
O'Caithniadh	Catny, Kane
O'Caolloaidhe	Cayley, Kaely, Keely
O'Cathasaigh	Casey
O'Caomhain	Keveny, Kevin, Kavanagh, Cowen, Cohen
O'Cain* (O'Koin]	Coyne, Koin, Kain, Kean, Keane
O'Camdhain	Camden, Caden
O'Cearnaigh	Kearney, Carney
O'Ceadfhada	Keating, Keatinge
O'Ceirin	Kerrin
O'Ceirin	Kearn, Kearins
O'Cearnachain	Kernaghan
O'Ceallaigh	Kelly
O'Ceathaigh	Keaty, Keating
O'Ceallachain	Callaghan of Erris
O'Chobhthaigh	Coffey, Coffee
O'Chosgraidh	Cosgrave
O'Ciarmhaic	Kirby, Berwick
O'Cinnfhaelaidh	Kinealy
O'Cinnchnambha	Kinnavy, Bones
O'Ciardha	Keary
O'Ciaragain	Kerrigan
O'Ciardha	Carey, Keary
O'Cindellain	Cunningham
O'Clumain	Coalman
O'Conbhuidhe	Conway, Convy
O'Conboirne	Bourns, Burns
O'Coilligh	Wood, Woods
O'Conaing	Gunning
O'Conor	Conyers
O'Congadhain, O'Conaighain and O'Connaghain	Cunnigan, Cunningham, Conway
O'Comhghain	Cowgan, Coogan
O'Conghaile	Connolly, Cunneely
O'Coilen	Collins, Collings
O'Connachtain	Connaughtan, Conattan
O'Conagan	Conyngham
O'Cornain	Corbett
O'Conaill	Connell, O'Connell
O'Coiglidh	Quigley
O'Connowe	Conway
O'Columain	Coleman
O'Coitil	Cottle
O'Cobhthaigh	Coffey, Cowhig
O'Creachain	Crehan, Greghan, Gehan, Graham
O'Cribbain	Corbett, Cribban
O'Criadhen	Creedan
O'Cuaghain	Gough
O'Cuain	Quan, Quaine, Coyne
O'Cuanain	Quinan, Coonan
O'Cumin	Cummin, Cummins
O'Cuinn	Quinn
O'Culaghaine	Coolahan, Coolacan
O'Deirg	Derrig, Durrig, Derrick
O'Discin	Dixon
O'Donchadha	Donoghue, Donaghy, Dunphy
O'Dorchaidhe	Dorcy, Dorcey, Dorsey, Darcy, D'Arcy(Galway), Darkey
O'Dowling	Du Laing, Laing
O'Drum	Drum, Drummond
O'Duibhdiorma	Diarmid, MacDermott
O'Dubhda	Q'Dowda
O'Duinchinn	Dunkin
O'Duibhagain	Duvegan, Dugan, Duggan
O'Duibhleargain	Dulleran
O'Duineadhaigh	Doney, Denny
O'Duanmhaigh	Duany, Devany
O'Duibhraic	Durack
O'Dunghaile	Donnelly
O'Duibhscuile	Duscully, Scully
O'Echtighearn	Ahern
O'Faghartaigh	Faherty
O'Faelechoin	Wolfe (See also " MacTyre")
O'Fearceallaighe	Farrelly
O'Feehily	Pickley, O'Feely
O'Feinneadha	Feeny
O'Fhuathmharain	Farran, Heverine
O'Fionnaghain	Finnegan
O'Finntigheam	Finneran
O'Fionain	O'Finan, Finan
O'Flannabhra	Flannery
O'Flaithri	Flattery
O'Flaitile	Flatly, Flatilly, Flattery
O'Floinn	Flynn
O'Flannghaile	Flannelly
O'Fodhladha	Foley (of Waterford)
O'Fraechain	French, Ffrench, Frenshe
O'Fuala	Foley
O'Fualairg	Fowler, Fuller
O'Gaoithin	Gehan, Gibson, Gettins
O'Gaibhtheachain	Gaughan, Gahan
O'Gadain	Goddan, Godwin, GOODWIN
O'Gathlaoich	Gately, Keightley, Catley
O'Gearadhain	Gearan, Geyrins
O'Gealigain	Galligan, Gealan
O'Gilin	Killin, Killeen, Culleen
O'Gloinin	Glennon, Gloin, Glinn
O'Gormghail	Gorman
O'Goirmghiallaigh (3)	Gormilly, Gormley, Grimley
O'Gowan	Smith
O'Gormog	Gorman
O'Griobbtha	Griffy, Griffin
O'Haughey	Haugh, Hoy, Hoey, Hawe, Howe
O'Hay	Hay, Hughes
O'Hease	Hussey, Oswell
O'Hooneen	Greene (See "MacUaithnin")
O'Hurley,	Harley
'Kelaghan	Callaghan
O'Laodhog	Lee
O'Laitile	Little, Lyttle
O'Laoghain	Lane
O'Labhrahadha	Lavery
O'Lahiff	Guthrie,
O'Lairgnen	Largan, Lorigan, Legge
O'Laechaille	Leech, Lilly
O'Lachtnain	Loughnane, Loftus
O'Laighdiachain	Lydican
O'Learghusa	Larrisy, Leasy
O'Leannain	Lannen, Lennon, Leonard
O'Liathain	Lyons, Lee
O'Loingsigh	Lynsky, MaGloinsg, Lynch
O'Lorcain	Larkin, Larcom
O'Lochain	Longhan, Duck
O'Loingseachain	Lunshekaun
O'Luachair	Rushe
O'Luachduibh	Loody, Ludy
O'Luane	Lamb
O'Luain	Loane, Lamb
O'Luachaim	Luxom
O'Luachain	Price
O'Maoilchluiche	Gamble, Stone, Stoney
O'Mailina	Mallin
O'Maghnain	Magnan
O'Maoilfhiona	Molina
O'Marcachain	Markam, Horseman,Ryder, Ryding
O'Marcachain	Markam, Rider, Horseman
O'Maoileoin	Malone
O'Maoilruain	Mulroyne
O'Maoilbloghain	Mullowne, Mullowney, Malony
O'Maoilbhrenain	Mulrennan
O'Maonagh	Moynagh
O'Maoilfaghmhair	Milford, Fayre
O'Maoilcallain	Mullholan, Mullholand
O'Maoilraite	Mulratty, Ratten, Rait, Malet
O'Maoilgaoithe	Mulgeehy, Wynn, Wynne
O'Maoilruaidh	Mulroy, Roy
O'Mainnin	Mannion
O'Maoinaigh	Meeny, Mooney
O'Maoilaithin	Mullattin, Molohan
O'Maoilduan	Muldoon
O'Maoilcana	Malcan, Singer
O'Maoilchonaire	Mulconrey, Connery, Conroy, Conry
O'Mearadhaig	O'Meara, O'Mara
O'Mellain	Mellan, Millan, Mellon
O'Mordha	O'More
O'Morain	Moran, Morrin
O'Mongain	Mangan, Mongan, Mungan
O'Mochain	Moghan, Mohan
O'Mughroin	Moran
O'Mulclohy	Stone, Stoney
O'Mulfaver	Palmer
O'Muireadhaigh	Murray
O'Muineog	Monaghan
O'Murphy	Morphie
O'Mulfover	Milford
O'Murgally	Morley
O'Mullaville	Lavelle
O'Muirgheasa	Morrisy, Morris, Morrison
O'Mulrian	Murrian, Ryan
O'Muimhneachain	Minahan, Mynahan, Meenehan
O'Mulrony	Moroni, (of county Clare)
O'Murchada	Murphy
O'Mulligan	Baldwin
O'Neill	Neele, Neely
O'Nuadhain	Nuane, Noone, Noonan
O'Radubhain	Radwin, Ravan, Radden
O'Rabhartaigh	Rafferty
O'Riagain	Regan
O'Ronain	Ronan (Connaught), Ronayne (Munster)
O'Rothlain	Rolan, Rowland, Rowlan, Rowley, Rollan, Rollin
O'Rourke	Rooke
O'Ruidhain	Ruane, Rowan
O'Ruadhraigh	Rogers
O'Scannail	Seanlan
O'Seagha	O'Shea
O'Seachnasaigh	O'Shaughnessy
O'Sewell	Walker, Sewell
O'Seisnain	Sexton
O'Sedna	Shade
O'Seghdha	Shaw, Hawk, Shea
O'Shaughnessy	Sandys
O'Sionna	Fox, Seeny
O'Spealain	Spillaan, Spillaine
O'Suanaigh	Sunagh, Swanny
O'Sullivan	Silven, Silvers
O'Sumaghain	Somers
O'Tarpaigh	Tarpy, Torpy
O'Tackney	Tackit
O'Taichligha	Tully, Tilly
O'Teagha	Teague, Tighe
O'Tighearnaigh	Tierney
O'Tiompain	Tenpenny
O'Tighearnain	Tiernan
O'Toghdha	Toffey, Todd
O'Trehy	Foote (See "MacCoshy")
O'Tuathlain	Tolan, Toland, Thulis
O'Turrain	Troy
O'Tuathalain	Toland, Tolan
O'h-Eitegein	Magettigan
O'h-Aghmaill	HamiIl
O'h-Ailche	Halley, Ally
O'h-Eoghain	O'Howen, Owens
O'h-Iomhair	Howard, Ivers
O'h-Emeachain	Hermans, Meehan
O'h-Iarnain	Hernon
O'h-Uisgin	O'Hiskeen, O'Histeen, Hastings
O'h-Iomhair	Howard, Ivers, Ivor
O'h-Uallachain	MacUallachain, MacCuolahan, Nolan
O'h-Oireachtaigh	Heraghty, Geraghty
O'h-Oilmhec	Helvick, Helwick
O'h-Heraghty	MacGeraghty, Harrington
O'h-Uathmharain	Hamran, Horan, Heverine
O'h-Eidhin	O'Heyne, Hynes, etc.
O'h-Eochagain	Haughion
O'h-Eidhneachain	Heanaghan
O'h-Ir	O'Hir, O'Hayer, O'Hare, Hare
O'h-Enda	Henn
O'h-Aichir	O'Hehir, Hehir
O'h-Eimhirin	Herne
O'h-Fhnadha	Foody, Swift
O'h-Aidith	Hatty Hettv
O'h-Arain	Haran
O'h-Eana	Heany

(1) "This is probably the family name now called MacHale". Dr.O'Donovan.

(2) O'Aodha; In Connaught since the Cromwellian Settlement of Ireland, the O' has been ommitted by most of the natives of that province. The Milesian gentry, there, however, still use that prefix as a mark of distinction between themselves and their co-relatives, the peasantry of the same race.

(3) O'Goirmghiallaigh; This Connaught family is distinct from the O'Gairmleadhaigh (or Gormley) family of Ulster.

CELTIC FAMILIES

In MacFirbis's "Irish Genealogies" the following Celtic
names are designated "Maghaidh Saxonta" ("magadh: Irish;
mocking, jeering); meaning that it was only in jest
these names were said to be of Saxon origin:

1. AUCHINLEK	15. GORDON	29. LINDESAY
2. BARCLAY	16. GRAKANE	30. LITTLE
3. BARDE	17. GRAY	31. LUNDIE
4. BISET	18. GUTHRIE	32. MURRAY
5. BLAIRE	19. HALIDAY	33. NEWBIGGING
6. BOYD	20. HAY	34. OLIPHANT
7. CAMBELL	21. IRELAND	35. RAMSAY
8. CLELAND	22. JARDAN	36. RUTHER
9. CRAWFORD	23. JOHNSTON	37. RUTHVEN
10. CARRIE	24. KAR	38. SOOT
11. DASSE	25. KEITH	39. SCRIMAGER
12. DOWGLAS	26. KILLPATRICK	40. SEBON
13. DUN	27. LAWDER	41. TINTS
14. FOORDE	28. LENNOX	42. WALLACE

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