Some of the most prominent norman families were the fitzmaurices, fitzgeralds, burkes and butlers. Mar 10, 2020 kelly comes second to murphy as the most common last name in ireland. Ireland has one of the oldest surname systems in the world. A list of irish surnames beginning with mac or mc, from mccann to mcsweeney. Surnames of ireland by edward maclysaght goodreads.
The top 20 most common surnames in northern ireland. A link to the norman and cambronorman surnames is listed below. This database is a report on surnames in ireland, prepared by robert e. The ireland family name was found in the usa, the uk, canada, and scotland between 1840 and 1920. Oct 24, 2014 surnames in ireland if you took all the gaelic surnames out of ireland what would be left. I believe that the very real problem of administering a moving and population, enforcing the brehon laws and simply keeping tabs on the increasingly complex genealogies and rights of inheritance caused ireland to be possibly the first country in europe to introduce the surname. Irish last names for centuries, even through the norman invasion, irish last names defined clans and septs smaller groups within clans. Gaelic irish, cambronorman, and finally angloirish. The most ireland families were found in the uk in 1891. As the former chief herald of ireland, donal begley, pointed out its value lies in the fact that it provides authorative information as to the numerical strength. Clans and surnames traces irish roots for visitors learning about dna, irish heritage and ancestry. The irish people have influenced the world and their surnames have become well recognized and associated with the emerald isle. Thus gilmartin, in irish mac giolla mhairtin, means son. Aug 11, 2019 where in ireland each surname was most concentrated, the popularity of each surname, the religion associated with the name, as well as the languages spoken by people with the surname are all.
Surnames in wales, ireland, cornwall genealogy, isle of man. Ireland was one of the first places in europe to adopt hereditary surnames, with some evidence of persistence from around the early 900s. When you hear the surname kennedy, oneill or gallagher, you instantly know they are either irish or of irish descent. Families in ireland from the 11th century to the end of the 16th century surnames common in ireland at end of 16th century knights bachelors in ireland th to 15th centuries surnames prevalent in ireland during the 17th century peerages in ireland during the 17th century back to the guide to researching namesor to the guide. What we understand a surname to be is the hereditary name we bear along with other members of our family, usually inherited from our father and. This was about 26% of all the recorded irelands in the usa. The number and location of households of the name in ireland 184864 a surname map from the 1850s, showing. Index to irish surnames a irish names and surnames. Other descriptive surnames include bane white, crone brown, and lawder strong. Kelly comes second to murphy as the most common last name in ireland.
Lets take a few examples using one of our readers patricia clarke thanks, patricia j. The undaunted american widow returned to ireland in the midst of the great famine and helped organise relief for the destitute and hungry. Oct 23, 2014 the irish people are an ethnic group native to the island of ireland, who share a common irish ancestry, identity and culture. Approximately 66% of the present population of the island of ireland are descendants. Ireland was one of the earliest countries to evolve a system of hereditary surnames. Find the meaning, history and origin of surnames, also called last names or family names, as well as famous bearers and usage statistics. Irish toponymic surnames, deriving from a place where the original name bearer once lived, are rare. The surnames of irelands ruling families can typically be tracked down to one single individual e. Taken from edward maclysaght, irish families and more irish families. The most common irish surnames in ireland havent changed much for a century. Medieval irish society was organised around the extended family. To this day, research into irish genealogy is difficult because of the.
Those surnames with an asterisk are listed in the surnames of ireland edward maclysaght, sixth edition 1997, published by the irish academic press, isbn 0716523647. They include ardagh, athy, bray, kelly, sutton, and a few others. However, these surnames originated at a time when irish gaelic was our primary language across the island of ireland. The meaning and history of surnames behind the name. Who you were related to determined what you could own, what work you could do, who you fought with and. Edward maclysaght was a leading authority on irish names and family history. For most of irelands history, the irish have been primarily a gaelic people see gaelic ireland.
Clans and surnames of ireland, clare, clare, ireland. Not all english sounding names are what they seem to be however, many are gealic names which were anglicised in a way that makes them appear to be the same as a name from england. Those surnames with an asterisk are listed in the surnames of ireland edward maclysaght, sixth edition 1997, published by the irish. Take a look at some of the most popular irish family crests and the origin of the names in lulus latest blog. Not all surnames are covered at the moment since it takes time to generate the maps. One of the most common irish surnames, walsh, derives from the normans based in wales who arrived in ireland as part of this group. But, for genealogists, or if you have lots of irish ancestry and family names to. More than 4000 gaelic, norman and angloirish surnames are listed in this. Surnames are case sensitive, for example, mcgee, mc gee, mcgee and magee all have their own maps. Surname maps based on the 1901 and 1911 censuses of ireland. I believe that the very real problem of administering a moving and population, enforcing the brehon laws and simply keeping tabs on the increasingly complex genealogies and rights of inheritance caused ireland to be possibly the. The surname origin of english surnames such as bingham, mitchell, shaw and turner are just some examples of derived northern irish last names commonly found in northern ireland.
He served as chief herald and genealogical officer of the irish office. There are many different origins for irish names today but the vast majority can be broken down into either of three categories. From irish o baoighill meaning descendant of baoigheall. On these pages you will find information on common irish surnames found in ireland and round the world. This list excludes some of the notable irish names with norman and welsh origins such as burke, butler, fitzgerald, power, walsh, etc. Ireland as an island has been inhabited for about 12,500 years according to archaeological studies. Surnames of kilkenny a study of 1890 irish birth registrations for the county of kilkenny indicate brennan as the most common surname with 2195 individuals of this name, followed by walsh with 2016, murphy with 1568, ryan with 1523, carroll with 1120, byrne and butler with 986 each, maher with 941, dunne with 896, phelan with 805.
Surnames in northern ireland can denote origin, religion, and even political outlook, and because the conflict often scrutinizes one ethnic group or the other in this case protestant or catholic, surnames publicize an otherwise private identity maxwell, ian 2008. The table shown here gives a listing of the 100 most commonly names found in ireland and their meanings. Search distribution of surnames in ireland, 1890 mathesons. Surnames in wales, ireland, cornwall genealogy, isle of. Search distribution of surnames in ireland, 1890 matheson. In ancient times it was an ethnic name for an immigrant from ireland or possibly scotland or the isle of man, the derivation being from the olde english pre 7th century word iraland, so called from the genitive case of iras, meaning. These surnames all have their rightful place in irish history, but do not have the gaelic name origins needed for this list.
The number and location of households of the name in ireland 184864. More than 4,000 gaelic, norman and angloirish surnames are listed in this. More than 4,000 gaelic, norman and angloirish surnames are listed in this book, giving a wealth of information on the background and location of irish families. Updated 2020 humans first arrived in ireland around 10,000 years ago after. Mac amhalghaidh means son of auley, once important gaelic lords. For convenience sake this online version has converted the old irish letters used in the original text to the roman alphabet, and exchanged the lenited or dotted consonants to their equivalents in the latter, e. In 1840 there were 85 ireland families living in new york. John rowlands and sheila rowlands found the following 23.
Irish names are used on the island of ireland as well as elsewhere in the western world as a result of the irish diaspora. Maps are based on data from the 1901 and 1911 censuses of ireland. The most common surnames in ireland and their meanings. Today were looking at viking, norman, galloglass and planter english and scottish names. Ireland was one of the earliest countries to adopt a system of hereditary surnames, which came into being in the 11th century. It wasnt until british colonization that last names were changed to sound more anglican and to disrupt the gaelic way of life. Popular irish surnames, their origin and coat of arms the irish. Matheson and published as an appendix of the twentyninth annual report of the registrargeneral for ireland in 1901. Updated 2020 humans first arrived in ireland around 10,000 years ago after the last ice age.
This category of surnames is divided into two groups. Where in ireland each surname was most concentrated, the popularity of each surname, the religion associated with the name, as well as the languages spoken by. The evolution of irish surnames and where your surname fits. Traditionally, irish family names are taken from the first chief of the tribe, who was usually an illustrious warrior. The surnames of ireland s ruling families can typically be tracked down to one single individual e. Old irishgaelic surnames a supplement to irelands history in maps. Surnames database clans of ireland irish surnames map. Irish surnames the 20 most common in 19thcentury ireland. True surnames from occupation and place names are rare in wales, although one finds the wealthier folk taking the names of their estates such as mostyn, nanney and pennant as early as 1539, and the likes of barry, cardiff and prendergast in england and ireland as welshmen moved there. This report discusses the numerical strength, derivation, ethnology, and distribution of irish surnames.
For centuries, even through the norman invasion, irish last names defined clans and septs smaller groups within clans. Irish surname maps to find out where in ireland youre from. Surnames derived from the occupation of an ancestor are also common, with smith being the most common surname in the uk. Popular cork surnames and families on roots ireland online. Surnames in ireland if you took all the gaelic surnames out of ireland what would be left. Irish family history foundation, cork, ireland, genealogy, ancestors, mccarthy, murphy, nagle, lombard, roche, condon, barry, ocallaghan, okeeffe, online search, discover your roots popular cork surnames and families on roots ireland online search facility roots ireland. Recorded as irish, ireland and the rare dialectal ierland, this surname can best be described as english but of irish origins. A to z this list can by no means be considered comprehensive.
Nov, 2008 given that the english have been coming to ireland one way or another for centuries, and the proximity of the two countries, it is not surprising that a good number of english names have become common in ireland. The evolution of irish surnames and where your surname. This isnt exactly a pageturner if youre only interested in one or two family names. But, for genealogists, or if you have lots of irish ancestry and family names to look up, its the best there is.
The following 200 pages are in this category, out of approximately 480 total. The irish people are an ethnic group native to the island of ireland, who share a common irish ancestry, identity and culture. The mass migration which occurred during the 17th century governmentsponsored plantation scheme was to have a massive impact on ulster. Given that the english have been coming to ireland one way or another for centuries, and the proximity of the two countries, it is not surprising that a good number of english names have become common in ireland. This statistical report is based on the births registered in ireland during the year 1890. Pages in category surnames of irish origin the following 200 pages are in this category, out of approximately 480 total. This list of scottish gaelic surnames shows scottish gaelic surnames beside their english language equivalent unlike english surnames but in the same way as slavic surnames, all of these have male and female forms depending on the bearer, e. New york had the highest population of ireland families in 1840. Annals of the famine in ireland is asenath nicholsons sequel to irelands welcome to the stranger. Her account is not a history of the famine, but personal eyewitness testimony to the suffering it caused. Jan, 2017 ever wondered what your surname stands for. Kelly, neill, power and purcell each with 762, and delaney and. If you would like to see a surname added, please message me here on facebook.
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