Clans

Bole, Boyles, O’ Baoighill, O’ Baoill, O’ Boyle, Ó Baoill.   There are two distinct branches of this family in Ireland. The first would be closely associated with the north of the country, in...

Bradie, Mac Brady, O’ Brady, Ó Brádaigh   The Brady clan originated in Co. Cavan in the province of Ulster in the north of Ireland, and it is there that the name remains most common, as well in some of the...

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...

O' Caside, O' Cassidy.   The name Cassidy comes from Cas meaning ‘Curly Headed’. This name is found principally in County Fermanagh and it’s adjacent counties. Cassidys were famous for centuries as poet’s churchmen and...

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

Linch, Linchey, Lynchehan, Lynchy, O’ Lynch, O’ Lynche, O’ Lynchy, de Lynch, Ó Loingsigh.     Lynch as it exists today in Ireland actually has two completely distinct origins...

Hughes, McAodha, McHugh, O’ Hea, Ó hAodha.   The Hayes are descended from the Gaelic sept of the Ó hAodha, although Hayes is also a common name in England where it derives from places of the same name...

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...

O’ Shea is the Anglicisation of the original Gaelic Ó Séaghada, which comes from the personal name meaning ‘hawk-like’ or ‘fortunate’. The sept was located in the Barony of Iveragh in Co. Kerry, where they were...

  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...

Callahan, Calligan, Kealahan, Kelaghan, O’ Callaghan, O’ Kelaghan, Ó Ceallacháin.   The O’Callaghan clan originates in the province of Munster in the south of Ireland. It is likely that...

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...

Kelley, Kelly, O’ Kelley, O’ Kelly, Ó Ceallaigh.   Kelly is the Anglicisation of the Gaelic Ó Ceallaigh, based on the personal name “Ceallach” which can mean either...

Mac Guire, Mag Uidhir, Maguier, Maguire, McGuire, McGwire.   Maguire is the Anglicisation of the Gaelic Mag Uidhir, which means ‘son of the brown-haired one’. The sept originated in County Fermanagh in the...

Mahoney, Mahony, O’ Mahoney, O’ Mahony, Ó Mahúna.     The Mahony name is derived from the Gaelic Ó Mathghamhna, from “Mathghamhan” meaning ‘bear’. The surname...