Clans

This surname is famous for being ordinary. It is the fifth most common name in Ireland. The name in Irish is Mac gabhainn meaning ‘son of the smith’. The name is most deeply rooted in County Cavan, where the MacGowan sept originated. The...

Ó Ruairc comes from the personal name Ruarc, which is derived from the Norse “Hrothekr” meaning ‘famous king’. The person from whom the O’ Rourkes claim descent was the King of Breifne in the ninth century, and there...

The name O’ Malley is one of the few names from which the prefix O has not been dropped. It is not a very numerous name but is very well known. It has always been almost exclusively associated with County Mayo. The O’ Malleys were always...

This has always been essentially a County Cork name. They are most commonly found in Inchigeela in West Cork. It is still a very popular name being no 64 in the most popular 100 Irish names. The hand knit O’ Leary sweater has an intricate central...

This name is one of the most common and one of the most important names in Ireland. Originally there were many distinct septs of the name in Counties Cork and Kerry – where Ross Castle was their fortress in Killarney. This name is from the Irish...

Mac Conmara, Mac Namara.   Mac Conmara means ‘Son of the hound of the sea’, and the name originated in Co. Clare where the clan was part of the famous Dal gCáis tribal grouping. The Mc Namaras grew in power to become rulers...

Mac Domhnaill, Mac Donald.   The Mc Donalds are descended from the Scottish Clan of the same name. Mac Domhnaill comes from the personal name “Domhnall” which means ‘world mighty’, but in this case the Donald in...

O’ Kennedy, Ó Cinnéide.   Kennedy is the Anglicisation of the Gaelic Ó Cinnéide, meaning ‘ugly-headed’. The clan homeland was near Killaloe in Co. Tipperary, and was part of the Dál gCais...

O’ Hogaine, O’ Hogan, O’ Hogane, Ó hÓgáin.   Ó hÓgáin comes from the Gaelic word “óg”, meaning ‘young’. The clan is descended from...

Grifin, O’ Griffin, Ó Gríofa.   The name comes from the legendary monster ‘the gryphon’, and was often used to describe someone fierce or dangerous. The name originated in two distinct areas in Ireland...

Gallagher, Gallaher, O’Gallagher, O’Gallaher, Ó Gallchobhair.   The meaning of the name Ó Gallchobhair comes from the Gaelic “Gall”, meaning ‘foreigner’, and...

Mac Sharry, O’ Foley, Ó Foghladha.   The name Foley comes from the Gaelic “foghlaidh” which means ‘pirate’ or ‘marauder’. The name’s original stronghold was Co. Waterford in the...

Flinn, O’ Flinn, O’ Floin, O’ Flynn, Ó Floinn.   The Flynn name comes from the formerly popular Irish personal name of ‘Flann’ meaning red or ruddy. The popularity of this name dictated that...

Flanaghan, Flannigan, O’ Flanagan, Ó Flannagáin.   The name Ó Flannagáin comes from the Gaelic word “Flann”, a personal name which means red or ruddy. There were several different septs...

Mac Gearailt.   The Fitzgerald clan was at one time one of the most powerful clans in Ireland, and arrived with the Anglo Norman conquest in the 12th century. The name means ‘son of,’ “Fitz”, Gerald. The family had two main...

Farrely, Frawley, O’ Farrell, O’ Farrely, O’ Ferrall, Ó Fearghaíl.   The modern Farrells, and variations on the name, are descended from the sept of Ó Fearghaíl which was...

Don, Donn, Donne, Dunn, O’ Doyne, Ó Duinn.   Dunne is a very numerous name and comes from the Gaelic “Donn” meaning ‘brown’. The name was used to describe somebody of swarthy complexion...

Dowell, Doyelle, Doyley, McDowell, Ó Dubhghaill.   The Doyles are of Norse origins, and this fact is backed up by the fact that the name is most common in the south east of the country in counties Wicklow, Wexford and...

Docherty, Dorrity, Dougharty, Dougherty, O’ Docherty, O’ Dogherty, Ó Dochartaigh.   The Doghertys originated in Co. Donegal, and their name is one of the oldest hereditary surnames in Ireland today...

Dailey, Daily, Daley, Dally, Dawley, O’ Daly, Ó Dálaigh.  The name Daly comes from the Gaelic word “Dálach”, which means ‘one who is present at assemblies’. This...