Family Roots: Discover the Ancient Origins of Common Irish Surnames

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Ever wondered about your Irish family roots? If you are a Walsh, an O’Sullivan, O’Connor, Doyle or a McCarthy then look no further!

A little while ago we profiled five of Ireland’s most common surnames. Due to the popularity of the piece, we have decided to continue our exploration of Gaelic family names. In this blog, we will look at the other names featured in the list of Ireland’s top 10 surnames.

Walsh

Image Source: ireland-information.com

Irish Pronunciation: Breathnach Bra-knock

Family Mottos: Pierced but not dead. Or, Do not irritate the lions.

The name Walsh can be traced back to the Gaelic word Breathnach. This literally translates to Welshman but is used interchangeably with Briton or Foreigner. The name has origins in the 12th century when Welsh and English Normans settled in Ireland under Strongbow. The native Irish referred to these soldiers as ‘Breathnach’. Over time, those carrying this name anglicised it to Welsh and then Walsh. The Walsh name is most dominant in the South East coastal counties of Wexford, Kilkenny and Waterford.

 

O’Sullivan

Irish Pronunciation: Ó Súilleabháin Oh Sool-a-wa-n

Family Motto: The steady hand to victory.

According to folk tales, the O’Sullivan clan are descended from a man named Owen who landed on the Beara Peninsula in Cork around 1600BC. They were originally part of a large group called the Eoganacht (trans. “Children of Owen”). By 700-900AD, the Eogánacht split and a faction adopted the name O’Suileabhain.  The name O’Sullivan is derived from the Irish Ó Súilleabháin meaning one-eyed or hawk-eyed. Some historians believe that this fearsome name was chosen in order to scare away rivals. They did not stray too far from Beara, and today almost 80% of O’Sullivans are based in the southern counties of Cork and Kerry.

 

The Hill of Tara is reputed to be the seat of the High Kings of Ireland. Image Source: memorytours.ie

O’Connor

Irish Pronunciation: Ó Conchubhair/ Ó Conċuḃair Oh Kon-ku-bar

Family Motto: From God every help.

This clan name arose in the 10th century as a derivative of its founder Conchobar mac Taidg Mór who was a King of Connacht from c. 855 – 882. There are several disputed meanings of this name, including ‘lover of hounds’, ‘wolf-lover’ or ‘patron of warriors’. The Conchobair clan were one of the powerful families in Ancient Ireland with about 100 Kings of Connacht and 2 High Kings of Ireland.

Doyle

Irish Pronunciation: Ó’Dubhghaill Oh duv-gall

Family Motto: He conquers by fortitude.

Doyle is derived from the Irish Ó’Dubhghaill. The meaning of the name Ó’Dubhghaill is disputed with some arguing that it comes from Dubhgall which translates as dark and tall while others assert that it is an amalgamation of Dubh meaning dark and Ghall meaning stranger. It is thought that the name was used by the Celts to describe the dark-haired Vikings who arrived on Irish shores during the 9th to 11th centuries. Nowadays, the highest concentration of Doyles is in the Leinster counties of Roscommon, Wexford and Wicklow

McCarthy

Irish Pronunciation: Mac Cárthaigh Mak Car-tig

Family Motto: Nothing is Difficult to the Brave and Faithful.

Blarney Castle - seat of the Muskerry McCarthy Clan.
Blarney Castle – seat of the Muskerry McCarthy Clan. Image source: extremeireland.ie

The McCarthys were a powerful family who ruled the province of Munster  during the Middle Ages. The name is derived from Mac Cárthaigh which translates into English as “Son of the loving.”

Did you know that the McCarthys have a link to the famous Blarney Castle? This was the seat of the Muskerry branch of the clan. According to legend, the Blarney Stone was gifted to Cormac MacCarthy, King of Desmond, from King Robert the Bruce of Scotland. This ‘magical’ stone was presented to McCarthy as thanks for his assistance in the battle of Bannockburn in 1314. The castle you see today was built by Dermot McCarthy in 1446. Dermot was renowned for his eloquence and this is the reason behind the Blarney Stone’s reputation for imparting the gift of the gab upon those who kiss it.

 

 

Celebrate your Irish Heritage at Blarney.com

Header Image: The Rock of Cashel, Source: Wikimedia

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