Clans

O' Cróinin, Cronin.   The name Cronin is from a diminutive cron meaning ‘swarthy’ or ‘yellow’. The origin of this family name lies in Cork, particularly the West of the County, where place names such as Cooscronin...

Coghlan, Cohalan, MacCochláin, MacCoughlan, O' Cochláin.   The two main septs of the name Coughlan are to be found as MacCoughlan in County Offaly and O’ Coughlan of County Cork. Both names are derived from...

 Casserly, Costelloe, Mac Coistealbh, Mac Costello, Nangle.   The Costello name, and its variations, are of Anglo Norman origins, and have an interesting history. The original name of the clan was deAngulo, or Nangle, and...

Conboy, Conomy, Convey, Mac Conomy, Mac Conway, O’ Conway, Ó Connmhaigh.   The Conway clan name, and its variations, have both Irish and Welsh origins. The Welsh bearers of the name originated in the town...

Clark, Cléireach.   Clarke, or Ó Cléirigh in Gaelic, is a very popular surname in Ireland. It is found predominantly in the northern province of Ulster. Its meaning originates in the Gaelic word...

Cathal, MacCathail.   Mac Cathail comes from the personal name Cathal. Cahill is one of the oldest recorded surnames in Ireland. There were several different clans of the name, located in Kerry, Galway, Tipperary and Clare. The Galway sept of...

Bohilly, Boughill, Boughla, O’ Buhilly, Ó Buachalla.   Ó Buachalla comes form the Gaelic word “buachaill”, meaning ‘boy’ or ‘herdsman’. Originally, the name was to be...

Barri, Barrymore, De Barra, Dubarry.   The Barry family is of Welsh origin, and came to Ireland in the 12th century. Barrys are most common in Cork, where the Irish version of the name, de Barra, can be spotted on many shop and pub...

Bairéid, Barrat, Barratt    The Barrett clan is of Anglo-Norman origins. The name is most common in counties Cork, Galway and Mayo. The two distinct concentrations of the name indicate two distinct clans, and this fact is...

Glanchy, MacClancy, MacFlannchadh.   The name Clancy was originally a MAC name. The C of Clancy was originally the last letter of the prefix Mac. In Irish Clancy is MacFhlannchaidh – Mac meaning son of Flann meaning Reddish. The...

Cavanagh, Cavanaugh, Kavanaugh, Ó Caomhánaigh.   Ó Caomhánaigh comes from the Gaelic word “Caomhánach”, which means ‘a follower of (St.) Caomhán’. The Kavanaghs are...

Ó Faoláin comes from the Gaelic word “faol” meaning ‘wolf’. The clan came originally from the ancient kingdom of Decies, part of the modern Co. Waterford, and they ruled that part of the country up until the Norman...

Ó Ríordáin comes from the Gaelic “riogh”, meaning ‘royal’, and “bardán”, meaning poet. The clan originated in the areas of the modern counties Offaly and Tipperary. The clan subsequently...

  Ahearne, Ahern, Aherne, Hearn, Hearne, Ó hEachtighearna.   Ó hEachtighearna means ‘lord of horses’, and Ahern is the Anglicisation of this Gaelic name. The clan was part of the Dál...

Corran, Corrin, Curran, Currane, Currans, Curreen, Curren, Kirrane, O’ Corren, O’ Corrin, O’ Currane, Ó Corráin.   The Curran name, and its variations, are...

Jannings, Jennings, Jennins, Mac Sheóinín.   The Jennings clan is predominantly associated with the western province of Connacht. The name is the Anglicisation of the Gaelic name Mac Sheóinín, from...

Kane, Kean, Keane, O’ Kane, O’ Keane, Ó Catháin.   Ó Catháin comes from the Gaelic word “cath” which means ‘battle’. The name originated in the Lagan area of...

Kermode, Mac Dermot, Mac Dermott, Mac Diarmada, Mc Dermot.     Mac Diarmada comes from the personal name “Diarmuid”. The family is descended from Maolruanaidh Mór, brother of the King of Connacht. Their...

Mac Domhnaill comes from the personal name Domhnall, made up of two words meaning ‘world’ and ‘strong’. It is very common in the northern province of Ulster, and also in the area which was the Kingdom of Thomond around counties...

Mullen, Mullane, Mullan, Mullin, Mullins, Ó Maolláin.   The name Mullen, and its variations, can have a number of different origins. It may be the Anglicisation of Ó Maoláin, which comes from...