![]() ![]() Carroll - Carroll is a common last name in Ireland and quite popular in Armagh, Kerry, Louth, and Offaly.Byrne - Is common in Wicklow, Dublin, and Louth.The O’ Boyles were the chieftains of Donegal. Boyle - The last name Boyle is prevalent in Kildare and Offaly.Here are some Irish last names specific to various regions of Ireland. Irish last names can be widespread in one area and nearly non-existent in another. Image: The Cliffs of Moher Irish Last Names Based on Region (and Meanings) O’Murphy - Anglicized version O’Murchadha.Alternative spellings Moore, Muir, and Mure. O’Kelly - Anglicized version of O'Ceallaigh.The O’Brien or O’Briain is one of Ireland’s oldest aristocratic families. Brian Boru was the King of Ireland in the 10th century. McCarthy - Anglicized version of the Gaelic Mac Cárthaigh.In addition to Mc, Mac, and O, the commonly used Fitz is an influence of the French Fis, meaning son. Like many cultures, many Irish last names follow the patronymic tradition of a family name being based on the father’s or grandfather’s first name. Irish last names are also often based on physical characteristics, clan names, and the region from which the family hailed. The familiar O means “grandson,’ therefore O’Brien means Grandson of O’Brien. Many Irish surnames we are familiar with that begin with Mc or Mac are patronyms Mc and Mac stand for “son,” so Mc Doyle would mean Son of Doyle. Because of this disruption to Gaelic life, research into Irish genealogy is challenging because of the changing and disappearance of some names over time. ![]() During the British colonization of Ireland, last names were changed to sound more Anglican. Sometimes, the heir to an estate would change his name to that of the original family if he was not in the direct line.Ĭopies may be made for personal use only.Find your Irish last name and learn about its meaning and origins on this list of popular Irish surnames.įor centuries, even though the Norman invasion of the English, Irish last names were defined by clans and septs (smaller groups within clans). Historically, a duke or earl often tended to be known by his title (Warwick, Northumberland, Suffolk, Norfolk, Gloucester, York, Lancaster, March, Leicester) but would have a family name as well. ![]() Some titled families still bear them today. These surnames all occurred amongst the nobility during medieval times. Place of origin (North, York, Southey, Lancaster) Where in the village/town one lived (Hill, Green, Church, Field, Townsend) Indicated what trade a person or his ancestors followed Originally these were only borne by nobles and were likely to be restricted to the place of origin, preceded by 'de' as in modern French, or the father's name preceded by 'Fitz' (from French fils 'son').įamily names and nicknames brought by the Normans (see below)įamily names taken from personal names, usually maleĭescriptions of appearance or character (Short, Brown, Redhead) The Anglo-Saxons used only personal names, sometimes with nicknames and patronymics, so it was not until after the Norman Conquest that inherited surnames were adopted. Anglo-Saxon and Norman French names can be similar due to the common Germanic roots of the Angles, Saxons and Vikings. Some Saxon and Norse names were retained along with their Norman counterparts but they gradually became less common. Literacy became more widespread and a classical influence became apparent, especially in girls' names. The Normans brought both servants and ordinary fighting men whose sphere was far outside that of the nobles and the linguistic structure that was to become English began to be formed. (Canute the Dane had defeated Edward's father, Ethelred, and married Emma.) French influence had reached Britain already through Edward the Confessor who was brought up by his mother Emma's relatives in Brittany, although this was limited almost exclusively to court circles. Although the Normans, or Norsemen, had only been settled in northern France for about two generations, they retained little of their original language and the naming pattern was altered. The Norman invasion of 1066 introduced a large stock of continental Germanic and French names. England-Medieval Kate Monk's Onomastikon (Dictionary of Names) ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |