Irish name
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A formal Irish-language name consists of a given name and a surname, as in English. Surnames in Irish are generally patronymic in etymology, although they are no longer literal patronyms, as Icelandic names are. The form of a surname varies according to whether its bearer is male or female, and in the case of a married woman, whether she chooses to adopt her husband's surname.
An alternative traditional naming convention, not used for official purposes but generalised in Gaeltachtaí or Irish-speaking areas, consists of the first name followed by a double patronym, usually with the father and grandfather's names. Sometimes the name of the mother or grandmother may be used instead of that of the father or grandfather.
Firstnames
The Irish have a traditional system for naming children[citation needed] : the first son is named after the father's father, the second son after the mother's father, the third son after the father, the first daughter after the mother's mother, the second daughter after the father's mother, the third daughter after the mother. Any further children are named by the parents' choice. This has led to some spectacular names being made more common, for example there are plenty of Assumptas and Perpetuas, and many girls were named after Saints Theresa and Bernadette in the 1950s shortly after they were canonised. Many families still adhere to this way of naming children, although it is becoming less common nowadays with the influx of more secular names from the world of TV and popular music[citation needed]. Traditional names, like Gráinne, Áine and Cathal, or Irish versions of Norman names, such as Seán (from Norman French Jean), Siobhán and Sinéad, are also very common. It's possible for several cousins to have exactly the same name, eg. Daniel Murphy, if all their fathers were brothers, and they are named after the same grandfather. To avoid confusion a pet name may be used, or a middle name eg Daniel Patrick may be called Dan Pat, and Daniel John may be called Danny John. Though it has been seen in older high class families[citation needed] where family records are present that the child's name can be that of an ancestor or famous person, such a thing is most prominent in the isolated families, such as the Mac Diamadas of Limerick and the Mac Gillachs of Donegal whose families have dated back to the 10th century.
Epithets
A first name may be modified by an adjective to distinguish its bearer from other people with the same name. Mór ("big") and Óg ("young") are used to distinguish father and son, like English junior and senior, but are placed between the given name and the surname: Seán Óg Ó Súilleabháin corresponds to "John O'Sullivan Jr."(although anglicised versions of the name often drop the "O'" from the name).
The word Beag/Beg, meaning "little", can be used in place of Óg. This did not necessarily indicate that the younger person was small in stature, merely younger than his father. Sometimes beag would be used to imply a baby was small at birth – and premature – particularly when the baby was born less than 9 months after marriage.
Adjectives denoting hair colour may also be used, especially informally: Pádraig Rua ("red-haired Patrick"), Máire Bhán ("fair-haired Mary").
Surnames and prefixes
A male's surname generally takes the form Ó/Ua (originally "grandson") or Mac ("son") followed by the genitive case of a name, as in Ó Dónaill ("grandson of Dónall") or Mac Gearailt ("son of Gerald"). A son has the same surname as his father. A female's surname replaces Ó with Ní (reduced from Iníon Uí - "daughter of the grandson of") and Mac with Nic (reduced from Iníon Mhic - "daughter of the son of"); in both cases the following name undergoes lenition. Thus the daughter of a man named Ó Dónaill has the surname Ní Dhónaill and the daughter of a man named Mac Gearailt has the surname Nic Gearailt. If, however, the second part of the surname begins with the letter C or G, it is not lenited after Nic: Nic Carthaigh, Nic Gearailt.[citation needed] When anglicised, the name can remain O' or Mac, regardless of gender.
If a woman marries, she may choose to take her husband's surname. In this case, Ó is replaced by Bean Uí ("wife of the grandson of") and Mac by Bean Mhic ("wife of the son of"). In both cases bean may be omitted, in which case the woman uses simply Uí or Mhic. Again, the second part of the surname is lenited (unless it begins with C, in which case it is only lenited after Uí). Thus a woman marrying a man named Ó Dónaill may choose to be use Bean Uí Dhónaill or Uí Dhónaill as her surname; a woman marrying a man named Mac Gearailt may choose to use Bean Mhic Gearailt or Mhic Gearailt.
If the second part of the surname begins with a vowel, the form Ó attaches an h to it, as in Ó hUiginn (O'Higgins) or Ó hAodha (Hughes). The other forms effect no change: Ní Uiginn, (Bean) Uí Uiginn; Mac Aodha, Nic Aodha, Mhic Aodha, and so forth.
Mag is often used instead of Mac before a vowel or the silent fh. Ua is an alternative form of Ó.
Some names of Norman origin have the prefix Fitz, from Latin filius "son", such as Fitzwilliam, Fitzgerald, and so forth.
Male | Female | Anglicised | Meaning |
---|---|---|---|
Ó/Ua | Ní | O’ | grandson/granddaughter of |
Mac | Nic | Mc | son/daughter of |
— | Bean Uí | O’ | wife of the grandson of |
— | Bean Mhic | Mc | wife of the son of |
Additives
Many Irish surnames are concentrated in particular parts of the country and there are areas where a single surname may account for a large proportion of the population. Examples include O'Reilly/Reilly in Co. Cavan, Ryan in Co. Tipperary and East Co. Limerick and O'Sullivan in the Beara peninsula of West Cork. In such cases, the surname may also contain an additive in popular usage to differentiate one group bearing the same surname from another.
Additives are particularly common among those bearing the Ryan surname. Examples include Ryan Lacken, Ryan Luke and Ryan Doc. A man christened Thomas Ryan might be known as Tommy Doc and his family might be referred as the Docs. While the additive is not part of a person's official name, it may be used in a postal address, on an election register or in newspaper reports. In this case, Tommy Doc might be written as Thomas Ryan (D).
Like the surname, the additive is passed down from father to child. However, if a person becomes well-known by a nickname of his own, his children may take his nickname as an additive. For example, if Tommy Ryan Doc was often referred to as "Bomber", his son Patrick might referred to orally as Pat Bomber and written as Patrick Ryan (B).
Traditional Gaeltacht names
In Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) areas it remains customary to use a name composed of the first name, followed by the father's name in the genitive case, followed by the name of the paternal grandfather, also in the genitive. Thus Seán Ó Cathasaigh (Sean O'Casey), son of Pól, son of Séamus, would be known to his neighbours as Seán Phóil Shéamuis. Occasionally, if the mother or grandmother was a well-known person locally, her name may be used instead of that of the father or grandfather. If the mother's name is used, then that of the maternal grandfather (or potentially grandmother) follows it, for example, Máire Sally Eoghain.
These names are not used for official purposes. Often a nickname or English version of a name is used in their composition where the person would use a standard Irish form in formal circumstances. For example, the prominent sean-nós singer Seán Mac Dhonnchadha is perhaps better known as Johnny Mhairtín Learaí.
This naming system also survives to a certain extent in rural areas outside the existing Gaeltacht. For example, it is still in use in parts of counties Derry and Tyrone located in the Sperrins. The system can be particularly useful for distinguishing individuals who live in the same locale, and who share a common surname but are not closely related. For example, two individuals named John McEldowney, might be known as "John Patsy Den" and "John Mary Philip" respectively.
List
List of common given names
Many Irish given names were replaced by English equivalents that sounded something like the original Gaelic form (at least to English ears) but were etymologically unrelated. Examples include:
Names of Irish origin
Name | English/Anglicised form |
---|---|
Áed/Áedán | Aidan/Aiden |
Aengus/Óengus | Angus |
Áine | — |
Aisling | Ashlin/Ashlyn |
Aodh | Hugh |
Aoife | Eva |
Bairre/Bearrach | Barrie/Barry |
Brénainn/Breandán | Brendan |
Brian | Bryan |
Brighid | Bridget |
Caitlín | Cathleen/Kathleen |
Caoimhe | Keeva |
Caoimhín | Kevin |
Cathal | Charles |
Cianáin | Keenan |
Ciara | Keira/Kiera |
Ciarán | Keiran/Kieran |
Cailean/Coilean | Colin/Collin |
Ceallach/Ceallaigh | Kelly/Kelley |
Céilí/Céilidh | Kaylee/Kaylie/Kayleigh |
Cianáin | Keenan |
Cliodhna/Clíona | Cleena |
Colm/Colum | — |
Conán | Conan |
Conchob(h)ar | Conor/Connor |
Cormac | — |
Carraig | Craig |
Dáithí | — |
Dearbhla | Dervla |
Deirdre | — |
Donnchadh/Donnchadha | Donagh/Donough |
Diarmaid/Diarmait | Dermot |
Domhnall/Dónall | Donald |
Dubhglas | Douglas |
Eibhlín/Eilín | Eileen |
Eithne | Etna/Enya |
Émer/Eimear | — |
Eoin/Eoghan | Owen |
Étaín/Éadaoin | Aideen |
Fearganainm | Ferdinand |
Fergus/Fearghus | Fergus |
Féilim | Felix |
Fiach | — |
Fíonna | Fiona |
Fionnbharr | Finbar |
Fionnuala | Finella/Finuala |
Giolla na Naomh | Nehemiah |
Gráinne | Granya/Grace |
Lorcán/Lorcain | Larkin/Lauren/Laurence |
Maoileachlainn | Malachy |
Meabh | Mave/Maev(e) |
Muirgheal | Muriel |
Niall | Neil/Neal |
Niamh | Neve/Niav/Neave |
Nuala | — |
Odhrán | Oran |
Oisín | Ossian |
Órla/Órlaith | Orla |
Rian | Ryan |
Róisín | Rosheen/Rosaleen |
Rónán | Ronan |
Ros | Ross |
Ruai(dh)ri/Ruari(dh) | Rory |
Saorlaith | Searla(h) |
Seán | Shaun/Shawn/Shane |
Siobhán | Shivaune/Shivaun/Shivonne |
Sorcha/Saoirse | Sarah |
Tadhg | Teague |
Treabhair | Trevor |
Ultan | — |
Úna | Una/Oona |
Names of foreign origin
Name | Irish (Gaelic) form |
---|---|
Aaron | Árón |
Adam | Ádam/Ádhamh |
Alan | Ailin |
Andrew | Aindréas/Aindriú |
Arthur | Artúr |
Bernard | Bearnárd |
Catherine | Catraoine |
Christopher | Críostóir |
David | Dáibhead/Dáibheid/Dáibhí |
Daniel | Dainéal/Dómhnall/Dónall |
Edward | Éadbhard |
E(a)dmund | Eamon(n)/Éamon(n) |
Frederick | Feardorcha |
Gerard | Gearóid |
George | Seoirse |
Gregory | Gréagóir/Greagoir |
William | Liam/Uilliam |
Patrick | Pádraic/Pádraig |
James | Séamus/Séamas |
Janet/Jeanette | Sinéad |
Laurence/Lawrence | Labhrás |
Mary | Máire |
Martin | Máirtín |
Matthew | Maitiú |
Michael | Mícheál |
Honora/Nora | Nóra/Nóirín |
Peter | Peadar |
Philip | Pilib |
Paul | Pól/Póil |
Francis/Frances | Proinsias |
Rachel | Ráichéal |
Raymond | Réamann |
Richard | Ristéard/Riocard |
Robert | Roibeárd |
Joseph | Seosamh |
Samuel | Somhairle |
Sarah | Sorcha |
Simon | Síomón |
Solomon | Solamh |
Stephen | Stiofán |
Theodore | Téodóir |
Thomas/Timothy | Tomás/Tomaltach |
Vincent | Uinsean |
List of surnames
Gaelic surnames:
- Annlúin / O hAnnlúinn (Hanlon, O'Hanlon)
- Breathneach (Walsh)
- Ó Baoill / Ó Baoighill (Boyle, O'Boyle)
- Ó Branagáin (O'Brannigan, Branagan, Brangan, Brannigan)
- Ó Brallaghan/ O'Brollachain (Bradley)
- Ó Braonáin/Mac Braonáin (Brennan)
- Ó Breaslain (Breslin)
- Ó Briain (O'Brian, O'Brien)
- Ó Broin (Byrne, Byrnes, Burns)
- Ó Broithe (Brophy)
- Ó Cadhla (Kiely)
- Ó Cairbre (Carbery, Carberry)
- Ó Caoimh (O'Keeffe,O'Keefe)
- Ó Caollaidhe (Kealy, Keely, Queally)
- Ó Carra (Carr)
- Ó Catháin / Ó Cahan (O'Kane, Kane, McCain, Keane, Kean, Cain)
- Ó Cathal (Cahill)
- Ó Cathasaigh (Casey)
- Ó Ceallacháin (O'Callaghan)
- Ó Ceallaigh (Kelly)
- Ó Cearnaigh (Kearney/Carney/Carnie)
- Ó Ceanndubhain (O'Canavan/Canavan/Kinavan)
- Ó Caomhánach (Cavanaugh, Cavanacht, Kavanaugh, Kavanacht)
- Ó Cillin (Killeen)
- Ó Cinnéide (Kennedy)
- Cinnseallaigh (Kinsella)
- Ó Cionnaith (Kenny, Kenney)
- Ó Ciosain (Kissane, Cashman)
- Ó Clérigh (Cleary, Clary, Clery, etc.)
- Ó/Mac Cnáimhsí (Bonner, Kneafsey)
- Ó Coigligh (Quigley)
- Ó Coirbín / Corbáin (Corbett)
- Ó Conchobhair/Ó Conchúir (O'Connor, Connors)
- Ó Con Fhiacla (Tuite)
- Ó Conghaile/Mac Conghaile/Ó Cionnfhaolaidh (Connolly/Conneely/Kennelly)
- Ó Conaing (O'Gunning/Gunning/Cunning))
- Ó Conaill (O'Connell)
- Ó Corráin (Curran)
- Ó Cuanaich/Ó Cuana (O'Cooney, Cooney)
- Ó Coileáin (Collins)
- Ó Conradh (Conrad)
- Ó Conaráin (Conran)
- Ó Cornghaile (Cornally)
- Ó Crabháin (Creaven/Craven)
- Ó Croidheáin/Ó Croidheagan/Ó Creacháin (Cregan, Crean, O'Cryan, O'Crean, Creaghan, Creegan, Creahan, Creane, Crehan)
- Ó Cruadhlaoich (Crowley)
- Ó Cuinn (Quinn)
- Ó Cuinneagáin/Ó Cuinneacháin/Ó Connacháin/Ó Connagáin (Cunningham)
- Ó Daimhín (Devine, Divine, Devin)
- Ó Dálaigh (Daly/O'Daly/Daley/Daily/Daeley)
- Ó Deághaidh (O'Dea, Day, O'Dee, Dee)
- Ó Diomasach (O'Dempsey, Dempsey)
- Ó Dochartaigh/Ó Dubhartaigh (Doherty, Daughtry)
- Ó Doinn (O'Dunne/Dunne/O'Dunn/Dunn)
- Ó Dónaill (O'Donnell)
- Ó Donnagáin (Donegan)
- Ó Dubháin (Devane, Dewane, Duane)
- Ó Duibhlin/Ó Dobhailein (Devlin, O'Devlin, Develin, Devolin, Devoline, Defflin, Devline, Davlin)
- Ó Dubhuir (Dwyer, O'Dwyer, Diver, Devers)
- Ó Donnchú, Ó Donncadha (O'Donoghue, O'Donohue)
- Ó Dreaghnean (O'Drennan, Drennan)
- Ó Dhuiling (Dowling)
- Ó Dubhda (Dowd/O'Dowd)
- Ó Dubhshláine (Delaney, Delany)
- Ó Dubhthaigh (Duffy/O'Duffy)
- Ó Duillearga (Delargy)
- Ó Durcáin/Ó Duarcáin/Mac Dhuarcáin/Mac Dhurcáin (Durkin, Durkan, Durcan)
- Ó Faoláin (Whelan, Whalen, Phelan)
- Ó Faracháin/Ó Farannáin/Ó Forannáin (O'Fanan, Farnan, Farnand, Farnon)
- Ó Fathaigh (Fahy, Fahey, Vahey)
- Ó Fearadhaigh (Ferry)
- Ó Fearghail (O'Farrell)
- Ó Fiannaidhe (O'Feeney, Feeney)
- Ó Flaithbheartaigh (O Flaherty)
- Ó Flannghail (Flavell)
- Ó Floinn (Flynn)
- Ó Fuartháin (Ford, Forde)
- Ó Gadhra (O'Gara, Geary)
- Ó Gallchobhair, Ó Gallchóir (Gallagher)
- Ó Gibealain (O'Gibelin, Giblin, Gibson)
- Ó/Mac Gormáin (O'Gorman, Gorman)
- Ó Gribín (Gribbin,Gribbon,Gribben)
- Ó Glaisne (Giles)
- Ó hAinbhith (Hanvey, Henvey)
- Ó hAinle (Hanly/Hanley, O'Hanley)
- Ó hAllmhuráin (O'Halloran/O'Halleron, Halloran, Haloran)
- Ó hAnradháin (Hanrahan, O'Hanrahan)
- Ó hAodha (Hughes, Hayes)
- Ó hAonghusa (Hennessy)
- Ó hAoláin (Hyland, O'Hyland)
- Ó hArrachtáin (Harrington, O'Harraughton)
- Ó hArt (Hart)
- Ó hAthairne (Harney)
- Ó hEachthairn (Ahearn, Ahearns, Hearn, Hearns, O'Hearns)
- Ó hEalaighthe (Healey, Healy, Haley)
- Ó hEadhra (O'Hara)
- Ó hÉamhthaigh (Heaphy, Heefey, Heafy)
- Ó hEidhin (Hynes)
- Ó hÉimhín (Evans)
- Ó hIcí (Hickey)
- Ó hIceadh (Hickey)
- Ó hÓgáin (Hogan/O'Hagan and Young/Younge)
- Ó hÓisín (Hassan, Hasson, Hassen, Hassin, O'Hassan)
- Ó hÓsáin (Hassan, Hasson, Hassen, Hassin, O'Hassan)
- Ó hUallacháin (Houlihan, Holohan, Holland, Mulholland)
- Ó hÚbáin (Hoban)
- Ó Loingsigh/Mac Loinsigh/(Lynch, Lynchy, Lynskey, Lindsay)
- Ó Laochdha (Leahy)
- Ó Laoidheach (Lee)
- Ó Lapain (Lappin)
- Ó Laifeartaigh (Lafferty, Laverty, Leverty, O'Lafferty, O'Laverty, O'Leverty)
- Ó Liathain (Lee, Lehane)
- Ó Lideadha (Leddy)
- Ó Lorcáin (Larkin, Lawrence)
- Ó Luinigh (O'Looney, Looney, Loney, Lunney)
- Ó Máille (O'Malley, Melia)
- Ó Mathúna/Ó Mathghamhna (O'Mahony, O'Mahoney)
- Ó Maoileanaigh (Mullaney, Mullany)
- Ó Maoileoin (Malone)
- Ó Maoilriáin/Ó Riáin (Ryan)
- Ó Maoláin (Mullins, Mullin, Mullen, Moylan, Mullane)
- Ó Maolagáin (Milligan, Mulligan)
- Ó Maolcatha (O'Mulcahy, Mulcahy, Mulcaghy)
- Ó Maoldomhnaigh (Moloney, Maloney, Muldowney)
- Ó Maonaigh (Mooney, Meaney)
- Ó Meadhra/Ó Meára (O'Meara, Meara, O'Mara, Marah)
- Ó Móráin (Moran)
- Ó Mordha/Mac Giolla Mhuire (Moore)
- Ó Murchadha, Mac Murchaidh, Ó Muirchú (Murphy)
- Ó Muircheartaigh (Moriarty, Murtagh, Murtha)
- Ó Muireadhaigh (Murray)
- Ó (or De or Mac) Muiris/ Muirgheas (Morris)
- Ó Nialláin (Neylon, Nyland, Neilan)
- Ó Néill (O'Neill, O'Neil, O'Neal)
- Ó Raghallaigh (O'Riley, O'Reilly)
- Ó Rathaille (O'Rahilly)
- Ó Ríordáin (O'Riordan, Reardan)
- Ó Roideacháin (Redehan, Redican, Rodahan, Redington, Reddington, Reddan)
- Ó Ruairc (O'Rourke)
- Ó Sé (O'Shea)
- Ó Scannail(Scannell)
- Ó Seachnasaigh/ Uí Seachnasaigh (Shaughnessey, O'Shaughnessey, Shaughnessy, O'Shaughnessy)
- Ó Siadhail/Ó Siail (O'Sheil, O'Shiel, Sheils, Shiels, Shields, Sheeler)
- Ó Síocháin (Sheehan)
- Ó Siochfhradha (Shugrue, Sugrue, Sughrue)
- Ó Sirideain (Sheridan)
- Ó Sheonoin (Jennings)
- Ó Slatara (Slattery)
- Ó Sluagháin (Sloan, Sloane)
- Ó Súilleabháin (O'Sullivan)
- Ó Teamhnainn (Tynan)
- Ó Tnúthghail (Knowles)
- Ó Tuama (Twomey, Toomey)
- Ó Tuathaigh (Tuohy,Twohig,Touhy,Towey,Toohy,Toohey)
- Ó Tuathail (O'Toole, Toohill, Toal)
- Ó Tuathailán (Tolan, Toland, Toolan)
- Mac Ádaim (Adams, McAdams)
- Mac an Airchinnigh (McInerney/Kinnerk/Nerney)
- Mac Amhlaidh (McAuley, McAwley, McCauley, McGauley)
- Mac an Bhreithiún (Brown,Browne)
- Mac an Bháird (Ward, MacAward, McWard, MacEward, MacEvard, Macanward, M'Ward)
- Mac an Bheatha (McVeigh)
- Mac Aodha (Hughes, Hayes, McGee, Magee, McHugh, Mackey)
- Mac Aodhagain (Egan, McEgan)
- Mac Aoidh (McKee)
- Mac Carthaigh (McCarthy, MacCarthy)
- Mac Cinnéide (Kennedy)
- Mac Conchoille (Woods)
- Mac Conmara (McNamara, MacNamara)
- Mac Cormaic (McCormack)
- Mac Corraidh (McCorry, McCurdy)
- Mac Cosgair (Cosgrave, Cosgrove)
- Mac Craith (McGrath, Magrath)
- Mac Cuinn (Quinn)
- Mac Cuarta (McCourt)
- Mac Diarmada (McDermott)
- Mac Donnchadha (McDonough, McDonogh, McDonagh)
- Mac Dhuarcáin/Mac Dhurcáin/Ó Duarcáin/Ó Durcáin (Durkin, Durkan, Durcan)
- Mac Dubhdara (Darragh)
- Mac Eachaidh (Caffee)
- Mac Gioll (Giles)
- Mac Giolla (Gill, McGill, Magill, Page)
- Mac Giolla Easpaig (Gillespie)
- Mac Gilla Mhartain/Ó Mael Mairthin/Ó Mhairtin/Mac Mairtin (GilMartin, KilMartin, Martin, Martyn)
- Mac Giolla Bhríde (McBride)
- Mac Giolla Mhuire (Murray, Gilmore, Kilmurray)
- Mac Giolla Riabhaigh (Gallery, Gilrea, Kilrea)
- Mac Giolla Rua (Gilroy, Kilroy, McIlroy, McElroy)
- Mac Gowan (Gowan,Gow,Macgoba, and more)
- Mac Muireadhaigh/Ó Muireadhaigh (Murray)
- Mac Fheargail/Mac Fhearghaill (Cargill, Argill, Orgill, Corgill)
- Mac Fhearraigh/Mag Fhearraigh (McGarry, McCarry, Ferry, Farry)
- Mac Fhirbhisigh (Forbes)
- Mac Giolla Mo Chuda (MacGillacuddy)
- Mac Giolla Chathair (Carr)
- Mac Iomháir (McKeever)
- Mac Laifeartaigh (McClafferty, McClaverty, McCleverty, McLafferty, Laverty, Leverty, MacLafferty, McLafferty, MacLaverty, McLaverty, MacLeverty, McLeverty)
- Mac Maghnus (McManus)
- Mac Mathúna/Mac Mathghamhna (McMahon)
- Mac Muiris/ Mac Muirgheas (also Ó Muiris or, rarely, De Muiris) (Morris, Fitzmaurice)
- Mac Murchadha Caomhánach (Mac Murrough, Mac Morrow, Mac Murrough Kavanagh, Kavanagh)
- Mac Lochlainn/Mac Loughlin/Ó Mael Sechlainn/Ó Mael Sechnaill/ (MacLoughlin)
- Mac Piers (MacPierce/Pierce)
- Mac Raghnaill (McRannell, McReynolds, Reynolds, Grannell, Magranill, MacGrannell, Mac Raghnald, Mac Ranel, McRanel, MacRannel, Mac Ranell, MacRanall)
- Mac Riabhaigh (Mac Reevy, MacReevy, MacReavy, Mac/McCreevy, Mac/McGreevy)
- Mac Ruaidhrí/Mac Ruairí (Mac/McCreary, Mac/McReary)
- Mac Torcáill/Mac Thorcaill (Corkill, Orgkill, Thorkell)
- Mac Uidhir/Mag Uidhir (Maguire/McGuire)
- Mac Thoirealaigh (Curley/Corley)
- Mac Eochaidh (Keogh/Kehoe)
- Ua Maol Dhómhnaigh (Downey, Gildowney, Maloney, many others)
Viking surnames:
- Cotter, MacCottor, etc. (Mac Oitir - Old Norse Óttarsson, see also MacCottor)
- Doyle (Dubh Gall, Ó Dúill, Ó Dubhghaill)
- Finley, Fennelly (Fionn Ghall, Ó Fionnghaille)
- Harald (Haraldsson)
- Higgins (h-Uiginn, i.e., a Viking, Ó hUiginn)
- MacAuliffe/Auley/Cauley (Olsson, Mac Amhlaoibh)
- MacDougall, McDowell (Mac Dubhghaill)
- McGinley, McKinley (Fionn Ghall, Mac Fionnghaille)
- MacKitterick (Strigsson)
- MacManus (Magnusson, Mac Mánuis)
- MacSweeney (Svensson, Mac Suibhne)
- Wood (Wode, meaning mad; described Beserkers, Mac Giolla Choille)
Norman/Norman language surnames:
- Archdecon (le Ercedekne, Mac Óda)
- Barry (de Barri, de Barra)
- Brett (le Breton or le Bret)
- Brown (de Brun, de Brún)
- Burke (de Burgh, de Búrca)
- Butler (de Buitléir)
- Cheevers (la Chieve)
- Courcy (de Courcy)
- Dalton (de Alton or D'alton)
- Darcy (d'Arcy)
- Dillon (de Leon)
- Disney (d'Isney)
- Duke (le Duc, Diúc)
- Dukes (le Duc, de Diúc)
- Nagle (de Nagle)
- FitzGerald (fils de (son of) Gerald, Mac Gearailt)
- FitzHenry (fils de (son of) Henri, Mac Einrí)
- FitzMaurice (fils de (son of) Maurice, Mac Muiris)
- FitzStephen (fils de (son of) Stephen, Mac Stíofáin)
- FitzGibbon (fils de (son of) Gibbon)
- FitzHarris (fils de (son of) Harris)
- FitzSimon (fils de (son of) Simon)
- FitzWilliam (fils de (son of) Guillaume, "Mac Liam")
- Henneberry (de Hionburgha, de Hindenburg)
- Hussey (de Hose, Mac Eodhasa)
- Jordan (fitz Jordan, Ó Shiúrdáin)
- Lacey (de Lacy, de Lása)
- Landers (de Londres, de Londras)
- Loundon (de Loudon)
- Marren (de Marin)
- Martyn (fitz Martin)
- Morris (de Marisco, de Muiris, Mac Muiris, Ó Muiris)
- Prendergast (de Priondargás, Priondargás)
- Perry (de Poire)
- Plunkett (Blanquet, Pluincéad)
- Power (le Poer, de Paor)
- Roche (de Róiste)
- Sweetman (Suatman)
- Tobin (Ó Toibín, Ó Toibinigh)
- Tuite (de Tiúit, Mac Con Fhiacla)
- Vance (de Vaux)
- Waldron (de Bhaldraithe)
- Wall (de Laval, de Bhál)
- White/Whyte (de Witt, de Faoite, Mac Giolla Bháin)
Dutch surnames:
- Baldwin (Boudewijn)
- Fleming (vlaming, Pleiminn)
Welsh surnames:
- Barrett (Bairéid, Barόid)
- Caddell (ap Cadel)
- Cadogan (ap Cadwgn)
- Conway (ap Conwy, Mac Conbhuí, Ó Conbhuí)
- Griffin (ap Gruffydd, Ó Gríofa)
- Joyce (Sais, Seoige)
- Merrick (ap Meruig)
- Price (ap Rhys, Rís)
- Rerys (ap Rerys)
- Taffe (Daffydd)
- Walsh (Breathnach)
Cornish surnames:
- Penrose (ap Rhys)
- Trevelyan
Anglo-Saxon surnames:
- Ayleward (Ailwerd)
- Dolphin (Dolfin)
- Lawless (laighles)
- Penney (Pingin)
- Sherlock (Scurlóg)
- Skerrett (Huscarl)
- Williams (MacLiam)
- Whyte (Fwyte)
Gallowglass surnames:
- MacAllister
- MacCabe
- MacDonnell
- MacSweeney
- MacCaillein (Campbell)
- MacInnes
Normanised Gaelic surnames:
- Fitzpatrick (Mac Giolla Phádraig)[1]
Gaelicised Norman-era surnames:
- Mac Coisdealbhaigh (son of Josclyn de Nangle); anglicised as Costello.
- Mac Fheorais (son of Piers de Bermingham); anglicised as Corish.
- Mac Giobúin (son of Gilbert de Burgh); anglicised as Gibbons.
- Mac Sheoinín (son of Seán Óg de Burgh); anglicised as Jennings.
- Mac Uilic (son of Ulick de Burgh of Umhall); anglicised as Gillick.
- Mac Siurtáin (Jordan), patronymic of the d'Exeter family.
List of example firstnames and surnames
Many Irish people use English (or at least anglicised) forms of their names in English-language contexts and Irish forms in Irish-language contexts. The Irish names of some famous people include:
English/anglicised name | Irish name |
---|---|
Bertie Ahern | Parthalán Ó hEachthairn |
Thomas Ashe | Tomás Pádraig Ághas |
Harry Boland | Énrí Eoin Ó Beóláin |
Diamond Jim Brady | Séamas Buth Chanain Mac Bradaigh |
Moya Brennan | Máire Ní Bhraonáin |
Patrick Brontë | Padraig mac Aedh Ó Proinntigh |
Daniel J. Callaghan | Dónal J. Ó Cellachán |
William M. Callaghan | Liam M. Ó Cellachán |
Art Carney | Art Liam Matthew Ó Ciarnaigh |
Michael Cavanaugh {actor} | Mícheál Caomhánach |
Erskine Childers | Earchta Ó Slatiascaigh |
Michael John Collins | Mícheál Eoin Ó Coileáin |
William Cosgrave | Liam Mac Cosgair |
William Thomas Cosgrave | Liam Tomás Mac Cosgair |
John Charles Daly | Seán Searlás Ó Dálaigh |
Walt Disney | Walt d'Isney |
F. Scott Fitzgerald | Proinsias Scott Mac Gearailt |
Garret FitzGerald | Gearóid Mac Gearailt |
Henry Ford | Énrí Ó Fuarráin |
William Russell Grace | Liam Ruiséil Grace |
Arthur Griffith | Art Ó Gríobhtha |
Charles Haughey | Cathal Ó hEochaidh |
Douglas Hyde | Dubhghlas de hÍde |
Sir William Johnson, 1st Baronet | Liam Mac Seáin - O’Neill Uí Feá |
Geoffrey Keating | Seathrún Céitinn |
John F. Kennedy | Seán Mac Gearailt Ó Cinnéide |
P. J. Kennedy | Pádraic Seosamh Ó Cinnéide |
Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. | Seosamh Pádraic Ó Cinnéide |
Robert F. Kennedy | Roibeárd Proinsias Ó Cinnéide |
Ted Kennedy | Éadbhard Ó Mordha Ó Cinnéide |
Kitty Kiernan | Caitríona Nic Thiarnáin |
Jack Lynch | Seán Ó Loingsigh |
Mary McAleese | Máire Bean Mhic Ghiolla Íosa (née Máire Ní Lionnacháin) |
Kevin McCarthy (actor) | Caoimhin Ó Cárthaigh |
Randolph McCoy | Randolph Mac Aoidh |
Colm Meaney | Colm Ó Maonaigh |
Liam Mellows | Liam Ó Maoilíosa |
Annie Moore (immigrant) | Aine O Mordha |
Quinn Moore | Cuinn O Mordha |
Richard Mulcahy | Risteárd Séamus Ó Maolchatha |
John Carroll O'Connor | Seán Chearbhaill Ó Conchobhair |
Charles Carroll of Carrollton | Cathal Chearbhaill |
Turlough O'Carolan | Toirdhealbhach Ó Cearbhalláin |
Kevin O'Higgins | Caoimhín Ó hUiginn |
Seán T. O'Kelly | Seán T. Ó Ceallaigh |
Gerald S. O'Loughlin | Gearailt S. Ó Laighin |
Grace O'Malley | Gráinne Ní Mháille |
Audie Murphy | Audie Ó Murchú |
Ed O'Neill | Éadbhard Ó Néill |
Francis O'Neill | Proinsias Ó Néill |
Thomas Francis O'Rahilly | Tomás Phroinsias Ó Rathaille |
Joseph O'Sullivan | Seosamh Ó Súilleabháin |
Patrick Pearse | Pádraig Mac Piarais |
Joseph Mary Plunkett | Seosamh Máire Pluincéad |
John Edward Redmond | Seán Éamonn Mac Réamainn |
Albert Reynolds | Ailbhe Mac Raghnaill |
Hayden Rorke | Liam Énrí Ó Ruairc |
Mary Robinson | Máire Bean Mhic Róibín (née Máire de Búrca) |
Cornelius Ryan | Conchúir Ó Riain |
John F. O'Ryan | Seán Phroinsias Ó Riain |
Paddy Ryan | Pádraig Ó Riain |
Austin Stack | Aibhistín de Staic |
John Sullivan | Seán Ó Súilleabháin |
John L. Sullivan | Seán Labhrás Ó Súilleabháin |
Gerard Toal | Gearóid Ó Tuathail |
William Tobin | Liam Tobin |
M. Emmet Walsh | Mícheál Emmett Breathnach |
In some cases, for example Garrett FitzGerald, "Mac Gearailt" is a translation to Irish from the Norman-derived "Fitzgerald".
There is one very interesting anglicized form of an Irish surname. (O')Hassan may have an eastern look but in Ireland it is the anglicized form of Ó hOsáin. It is to be distinguished from Ó hOisín and Ó hOiseáin (see Hession and Hishon). In County Londonderry, where it is numerous, it is spelt Hassan, Hassen, Hasson, Hassin and O'Hassan. [2][3][4][5][6][7]
Other people are better known by their Irish name than by their English name:
Irish (Gaelic) name | English/anglicised form |
---|---|
Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh - though neither Dubhaltach or Fibrisigh correspond to the Anglicised forms | Dudley Forbes |
Ruaidhrí Ó Flaithbheartaigh | Roderick O'Flaherty |
Flaithrí Ó Maolconaire | Florence Conry (1560–1629, Archbishop of Tuam) |
Seán Bán Breathnach | "White" John Walsh |
Séamus Ó Grianna | James Greene - though Grianna does not correspond etymologically to the English name "Green" or "Greene" |
Gráinne Seoige | Grace Joyce |
Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin | Ellen Cullen |
Antoine Ó Raifteiri | Anthony Raftery |
Proinsias Mac Cana | Francis McCann |
Proinsias De Rossa | Frank Ross |
Pádraig Ó Riain | Patrick Ryan |
Padraig Ó Síocháin | P. A. Sheehan |
Pádraig Ó Fiannachta | Patrick Finnerty |
Lorcan Ua Tuathail | Laurence O'Toole |
Dara Ó Briain | Darragh O'Brien |
Doireann Ní Bhriain | Doreen O'Brien |
Cathal Brugha | Charles William St. John Burgess |
Éamon de Valera | Edward De Valero |
References
- ^ Bell, Robert. The Book of Ulster Surnames (1990 ed.). Belfast: The Blackstaff Press. p. 67. ISBN 0-85640-405-5.
The prefix Fitz-, from the French fils, meaning 'son', generally denotes a Norman name. However, Fitzpatrick is the only Fitz- name in Ireland that is not of Norman origin, having been assumed by the Mac Giolla Phádraig sept in Kilkenny in 1537 when their chief became Lord Baron of Upper Ossory under Henry VIII's 'surrender and regrant' policy.
- ^ By Edward Neafsey (2002). Surnames of Ireland. Irish Roots Cafe. ISBN 0940134977, 9780940134973.
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value: invalid character (help) - ^ hoganstand.com: Irish Identity Surnames In Irish
- ^ ulsterancestry.com: Ulster Ancestry Irish Family Names
- ^ surnamedb.com: Surname
- ^ medievalscotland.org: 16th & 17th Century Anglicized Irish Surnames
- ^ irishtimes.com: Irish Ancestors Surname Hassan
External links
- Pretanic World - Irish, Scottish, Welsh and English Surnames and their Associations with Mythology and Ancient History
- The Origins of Irish Surnames
- Find Irish Family Names and their meanings
- Full listing of all Irish first names, their origins, legends and meaning
- Concise list of Irish first names and meanings