Whats your surname in irish?

Panda · 22-01-2003 2:39pm #1

Emmett ó Duibhiolla is anim dom.

The rough translation is Emmett of the black woods.
or if you listen to my uncle, ó Duibhiolla means "the devils servant".

I dont believe him.

Bard · 22-01-2003 2:55pm

Ó'Caoímh
Caoímh (meaning "gentle"), descendant of Art Caemh, King of Munster.

http://www.iol.ie/~kevnilse/keefarms.html

The O'Keeffe family has a long history - stretching back as far as 1,800 years ago!- and has apparently played a vital part in Celtic culture.

Hellrazer · 22-01-2003 3:06pm

risteard ni siulamhain(spelling!!!!!)

Meaning one eye.I think or have been told for years.

Bard · 22-01-2003 3:13pm

Originally posted by Hellrazer
risteard ni siulamhain(spelling!!!!!)

Meaning one eye.I think or have been told for years.

There's more possibilities than just "one eyed"... how about being "the dark eyes of the god"?...

Hope this sheds some light on it:

(taken from here - watch out for popups!)

"The Origins of the Clan Name:

I've heard tell, (from my father mainly), that the Irish surname, O'Sullivan, is one of the most common surnames on the Island. So just where did the surname come from? Like most Irish Surnames, the O' affix means 'Grandson of' as opposed to Mac/Mc 'Son of'. So O'Sullivan is Grandson of Sullivan? Well, not quite. You see, Sullivan is the English language version of the name. Properly, in the native Irish language, Sullivan is Suilleabhain. So the surname is properly "O'Suilleabhain". The original Suilleabhain, born about 862, was a direct descendant of Finghin, King of Munster, 620 A.D. Grandson of Suilleabhain? Close. So what does Suilleabhain mean exactly?

The meaning of the name Suilleabhain is not fully certain. Some language experts suggest that the name derives from the root word "suil" meaning eye. But the rest of the name, leabhain, is where the confusion comes in. Some say it means 'one', thereby, "One-Eyed". Others say "Hawk", thereby "Hawk-Eyed". I've even heard that Leabhain is the name of an ancient Irish God (which I, as an Irish Pagan, have never heard of), so the name according to them is "Eye of the God". And just to add to the confusion, books of Baby Names (those that list it that is) list the first name Sullivan as meaning "Dark Eyes".

So we have "Grandson of One-Eyed", "Grandson of Hawk-Eyed", "Grandson of Eye of the God" and "Grandson of Dark Eyes". I think that it will be a long time before this one is figured out. One must wonder at the personal appearance of the original Suilleabhain! An one-eyed monster…. a man with exceptional sight…..a druid……a man with notably dark eyes. Hopefully, in my upcoming series on the history of the O'Sullivans and the Eoganacht, from whom our clan is descended, the mystery of the original Suilleabhain will be solved.

Written by Theresa Kemerer

Gaz · 22-01-2003 3:19pm

Is there any websites (free) that you can look up the history of your surname ?

Stark · 22-01-2003 3:21pm

O'Riordáin, means royal bard apparently

lynchie · 22-01-2003 3:32pm

Ó Loinsigh, means seafarer AFAIK, name comes from connaught, around the galway area.

Hellrazer · 22-01-2003 3:36pm

Excellent Bard!!!!!Im well impressed with that one.

And heres a strange one for you.My brother and dad can only see in one eye.And my great grandad and one of his sons could only see in one eye.AND the doctors have said that its some sort of hereditary disorder.Maybe thats where the "one eye" saying came from.

Is that coincidence or what.!!!!!!!!!
Richie

Bard · 22-01-2003 3:36pm

Originally posted by Darth Homer
Is there any websites (free) that you can look up the history of your surname ?

Google search

Add your surname to the search for more accuracy.

Gael · 22-01-2003 3:45pm

There is stuff on the web but it's really not great and not the most accurate or reliable stuff. If you're genuinely interested in the originas and irish versions of Irish names, the definitive book to start with would be "the Surnames of Ireland" by Edward MacLysaght. It's probably the best academic study and is very user friendly.
http://globalgenealogy.com/books/080608.htm

If you're looking to find the irish version of you're name, a good book is
"An Sloinnteoir Gaeilge agus an tAinmneoir", by Muiris Ó Droighneáin.
http://www.cic.ie/cgi-bin/product.asp?idproduct=410

Tá súil agam go gcabhraíonn sé sin.

I hope that helps.:)

GoneShootin · 22-01-2003 3:55pm

Ó Riabhaigh > Rea

And i have NO idea what if anything it means

Johnny_the_fox · 23-01-2003 1:33am

O DOIBHLIN -> Devlin

name comes from the county of tyrone <god help me> ....

theciscokid · 23-01-2003 2:01am

murray > o muiri - with some fadas

Nevyn · 23-01-2003 2:41am

Ni Shuileabhain

I heard it that the name was warded to an archer , who had such
wonderfull long sight in the eye he aimed at. Not sure some of the realtaion in Kerry say it was bestod by ?Brain Bru but i'm sure the name is older then that.

the whole O'Sullivan v Sullivan comes from who brothers who were know as O'Sullivan Mhor and O'Sullivan Beag they fell out over a Lass the the younger Brother O'Sullivan Beag moced to Cork and dropped the O from his name.

on the other side I'm an O 'Connor decended from the last great chief of the Clan O'Connor who was present at the corination of
Elizabeth the First ( queen of enland).

BlueDrax · 23-01-2003 3:20am

Ni Suilleabhain.

I've always heard that it meant one-eyed/hawk-eyed.

the first name Sullivan as meaning "Dark Eyes".

Interesting - Years ago, at school, we where told that my brother's name, Dominic, meant "Blacked Eyed".

Patrick

meglome · 23-01-2003 4:58am

Clowry... in Irish it is MacLabhraidh and it means speaker, spokesman or advocate. Decending from Eochaidh Labhraidh MacFhogartaigh, Lord of Fermanagh. I think is was Cromwell that asked us to leave, in a friendly sort of way... as you can imagine.

Dun · 29-01-2003 9:44pm

Originally posted by Hellrazer
risteard ni siulamhain(spelling!!!!!)

Meaning one eye.I think or have been told for years.

(Ní = girl, Ó = fella

)

Taken from Rev. Richard Woulfe's rather comprehensive surname book, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall:

Ó Súileabháin - 'des. of Súileabhán (i.e. Súil-dubhán, black eyed); also but less correctly written Ó Súilleabháin; the name of a well-known Munster family of the same stock as the MacCarthys and O'Callaghans. The original patrimony of the O'Sullivans lay along the River Suir, in the present Co. Tipperary and their principal seat was at Knockgraffon, about two miles to the north of Cahir.

In the year 1192 they were forced by the progress of the Anglo-Norman invasion to exchange the fertile plains of Tipperary for the mountains of Cork and Kerry. In their new home on the shores of Kenmare and Bantry they, however, acquired extensive possessions and became one of the most powerful families in Munster and one of the most numerous in all Ireland.

They divided into several branches, the heads of which were known respectively as O'Sulliavan More, who possessed the barony of Dunkerron and had his castle at Dunkerron, near Kenmare; O'Sullivan Beare who owned the territory of Beare, now the baronies of Beare and Bantry; O'Sullivan Maoil; Mac Finghin Dubh etc.

Notwithstanding the confiscation of their estates in the 17th century, the O'Sullivans are still a respectable family, and the name is everywhere famous. "It has been honoured abroad," writes O'Callaghan, "in Spain, Belgium and Germany, with the titles of Count and Baron. It contributed its proportion of officers to the national regiments of Clare, Dillon, Bulkelely etc. in France. It was one of note in the service of Naples.

It has also attained high military, administrative, and diplomatic positions in the service of the United States of America, and the United Kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland." (Irish Brigades.)

.. and also was made into a nice wee Australian programme as well

My surname, Noone, is Ó Nuadháin in Irish.

Originally posted by Rev. Woulfe (in his book in 1923)
Ó Nuadhan - 'des. of Nuadha' (the name of an ancient sea divinity); the name of a Sligo family of the race of Cairbre, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages. This family anciently possessed the district of Callraighe Laithimh, nearly co-extensive with the present parish of Calry, near the town of Sligo. The name is still very common in Connacht. In the spoken language as I have heard it the final n is slender.

Completely different from Noonan, even though my flipping Irish teacher used to try to convince me otherwise. Have no idea how our family ended up in Donegal, though tradition has it they came from Galway in the 1700s.

If anyone else wants their surname outta Woulfe's book, let me know (in Irish or English).

Gael · 01-02-2003 2:04am

MacLysaght's book is much better. Woulfe's book is nearly a hundred years old and macLysaght more recent book corrects much of the discrepancies and mistakes in Woulfes book, which he frequently refers to. I'd strongly recommends macLysaght's book over Woulfe's.

Yoda · 01-02-2003 9:53pm

I haven't got an Irish surname, since my name is Everson.... But Pádraig Ó Snodaigh, of Coiscéim, decided that I should be called Mac Síoraí.

qwidgybo · 01-02-2003 10:47pm

mc cole=ní chumhaill,as in fionn.if not fionn of fianna fame,than the writer.not sure if it has a meaning other than "daughter of cumhaill"

smiles · 03-02-2003 12:14pm

Apparently Ní Gibnigheagh, or something similarily long, seems that my great-granddad shortened it himself to Ní Gibhné for the craic

<< Fio >>

The Reaper · 06-02-2003 2:28pm

nilim ro cinta ach ceapaim go bhfuil ó Cunneachain (cunning person) nó rud eagain mar sin!

zynaps · 09-02-2003 1:48am

I've used the irish "Oisín Mac Fhearaí" ever since I was 4 or so... Mac Fhearaí is often assumed on hearing to be "Mac Fhearraigh" (teachers and such used to always assume it was that), but I dunno if they're connected in roots it may be that mine is just a newer-style spelling, like Brighid and Bríd.... mine is just an irishisation of McCarry, from the relatives on me da's side who come from Ballycastle up north somewhere, which may have come from Mac Carraig (son of... rock?), although they may have come from Scotland... (perhaps Mac Carrack, or something!)

It might be nice to actually know where the name comes from, but there ye go... modern society and apathy and all

B'fhéidir gur rud nádúrtha é gan suim a bheith agat cad as a tháinig do chlann agus do dhúchais, go h-áirithe nuair atá tú óg go leor.

Anyway!
Sin a bhfuil, ar ais chuig do ranganna lads. Come on lads ar aghaidh leat! Guit! Guit! Ara, cúl mo lámh!

That reminds me, our principal when I was in Coláiste Mhuire (which has now been declared unsafe and is to be knocked down seemingly), once walked by the jacks near our classroom when we were in 3rd year, came back into us and said "In ainm dé, cé a rinne an rud náireach sin sa leithreas? Ceapas gur asal a rinne é!"
Good times....

zynaps

kamobe · 09-02-2003 2:01am

Stiofán Ó Du(bh)laoich (Dooley)

I'm pretty sure I've spelt that correctly, let me know if I'm wrong. There's a few variations floating about of this name, but the translation seems to be 'O Dubh Laoich' - Dark Warrior.

Amz · 25-04-2003 12:31am

Ní Fhlatharta

Or

Ní Flaithbheartaigh

Flaherty...

Apparently means the blonde/fair haired prince

Originated in Galway, over the ancient gates of Galway it says "Frrom the ferocious O'Flaherty's deliver us"

hehe! apparently we "were" a very aggressive bunch altogether!

Samara · 25-04-2003 8:57am

Ní Chéileachair is ainm dom. Meaning descendant of Céileachar (companion-dear, spouse-loving). Surname originates from a nephew of Brian Boru - Ó Céileachair. A sept of Dál Cais (being descendant of Donnchuan, brother of Brian Boru).

Dun · 25-04-2003 11:53pm

Originally posted by zynaps
I've used the irish "Oisín Mac Fhearaí" ever since I was 4 or so... Mac Fhearaí is often assumed on hearing to be "Mac Fhearraigh" (teachers and such used to always assume it was that), but I dunno if they're connected in roots it may be that mine is just a newer-style spelling, like Brighid and Bríd.... mine is just an irishisation of McCarry, from the relatives on me da's side who come from Ballycastle up north somewhere, which may have come from Mac Carraig (son of... rock?), although they may have come from Scotland... (perhaps Mac Carrack, or something!)

It might be nice to actually know where the name comes from, but there ye go... modern society and apathy and all

According to Woulfe's book (even though Mac Lysaght is often more accurate, I don't have a copy at home. I'll check it later):

Mac Fhearadhaigh (I guess it's been condensed to Fhearraigh) means 'son of Fearadach' (an old Irish personal name meaning 'manly'). An Ulster surname in use in Tyrone, Armagh and Down. A variation, Mag Fhearadhaigh was also common in East Connacht, Tyrone and Antrim.

zynaps · 26-04-2003 12:55am

Well, go raibh maith agat as ucht an t-eolas sin!
Sin slí maith féachaint air

Ach is dóigh liom go thagann mo sloinne féin ó fuamniú gaelach ar an sean-ainm albanach ar dhaid m'athair.
Suimiúl ar aon-nós

zynaps

jd · 05-05-2003 12:49pm

O Diamain(diamond) meaning Gods keeper I think. An erenagh(sp) family from north of Lough Neagh. I think there was a hereditary position in monastaries relating to the civil administration of lands etc.

Beruthiel · 06-05-2003 10:43am

mine is Harte
coming from the irish O'Hart

any ideas what it means exactly?

Gael · 06-05-2003 12:17pm

Ó hAirt, I think, which would mean descendant of Art, which is just an Irish Christian name, which is sometimes given as an Irish form of Arthur.

Beruthiel · 06-05-2003 12:27pm

Originally posted by Gael
Ó hAirt, I think, which would mean descendant of Art, which is just an Irish Christian name, which is sometimes given as an Irish form of Arthur.

thanks gael

Stark · 06-05-2003 12:41pm

Ó' Riordáin - O'Riordan - apparently means "royal bard"

seamus · 06-05-2003 12:59pm

Heh, very interesting.

"Ó Dálaigh" meaning "One who is present at assemblies" or possibly referring to being the master of ceremonies at events

Apparently I'm a direct descendent of the Irish root of the clan, who first arrived in Cork, where my grandparents are from

zynaps · 06-05-2003 8:05pm

Weird how you can sometimes spot irish words still used today in old family names...

Ó Ríordáin - dán (poem) rí? (king)
Ó Dálaigh - dáil (assembly)

Victor · 06-05-2003 8:26pm

Originally posted by zynaps
It might be nice to actually know where the name comes from, but there ye go... modern society and apathy and all

Hmmm, I have a certain resonnance with this. My surname is Moore, I don't think it's right to have an "Irish version", this is what is on my birth cert and this is how is should stay, I dislike the way certain revisionist Gaelgóirs decide to rename children / people without their permission.

I don't know if my ancestors (from West Cork) were immigrant (English) "Moore"s in the 19th century or in some previous era or if they were migrant Offaly ("O'Mordhá"s).

uberwolf · 09-05-2003 6:27pm

i have to deal with the exact opposite, people anglising my name, its wrong both ways, if you renamed some coloured guy for your own amusement and told them that was their name from now on there'd be war.

Less you change it its as your birth cert says

snickerpuss · 21-05-2003 8:38pm

Well my surname in irish is de léis. Rather boring. And it means....ummmmm...nothing cos its french. Well it means "of lacey". Hmmm im off to france to trace my roots ....
ah bhuel sin a bhfuil

Darragh2 · 21-05-2003 8:44pm

Ó Bradáin = Sammon

Don't ask where that originated from, I haven't a clue. There's a lot of confusion as there isn't any one clear answer to where this surname comes from.

Maybe from the legendary Bradán Feasa. I wish.

DannyD · 04-06-2003 7:11pm

Donal O Duinnin is the name on my new passport.My old name was Danny Dinneen.

Gael · 05-06-2003 6:53pm

Maith thú a Dhónail. An bhfuil do shloinne Gaelach agat ar rudaí eile, ****as bainc, ceadúnas tiomána, cartaí aitheantais srl?

Well done Donal. Do you use your Irish name on other things like your bank account, driver's licence, ID cards etc?

Gael · 05-06-2003 7:00pm

Aw I don't believe it! They've censored the Irish word "c*ntas"(account) because it contains the English swearword "c*nt". Isn't that going a bit far people! It's a different language and there was no intention to swear or be vulgar. Bard?????

DannyD · 06-06-2003 12:24am

Nope, just the passport so far.I am using my address in Irish but I fear it will take longer to get delivered as I saw a translation writen on the envelope I received

What happens at the sorting office if the sorter doesn't speak Gaelige ?

Dellboi · 10-06-2003 1:39pm

Ó Murchú/Murchadha is é mo shloinne.
means descendant of Murchadh, which i think means sea warrior.

Bard · 10-06-2003 1:52pm

Originally posted by Gael
Aw I don't believe it! They've censored the Irish word "c*ntas"(account) because it contains the English swearword "c*nt". Isn't that going a bit far people! It's a different language and there was no intention to swear or be vulgar. Bard?????

Cúntas?

works fine for me

(it does have a fada, doesn't it?

)

zynaps · 10-06-2003 8:02pm

Cunt + as = cuntas....
But yeah, cúntas is right as far as I know....
Why is it that you hear people pronounce it without the fada though? Maybe I've just been hearing too many donegal heads in cluastrialacha, plus our accounts teacher back in transition year in school was from somewhere up north.

I've certainly always pronounced it with a fada, and it's obviously easier to type it that way here, so...

zynaps

Dun · 11-06-2003 9:44am

No fada on c u n t a s. I've always pronounced it as if it had one as well, though.

bug · 11-06-2003 11:13am

ni hAirtnéada

I dunno what it means, but the family crest is nice. Aparently originally from the Cork Kerry border.

Praetorian · 12-06-2003 12:58pm

Ó Cathaláin - I love the Irish version of my name

thesage · 12-09-2007 4:37pm

Ó Donnchadha - Descendant of Donnchadh, which apparently means brown warrior or chieftain, though I'd love it if someone could explain how warrior(gaiscíoch, óglaigh, laoch) or chieftain (taoiseach) is derived from "chadh". Is it sean-gaeilge nó mean-gaeilge? Any takers?

Grudaire · 14-09-2007 11:56am

Hellrazer wrote:

risteard ni siulamhain(spelling!!!!!)

Meaning one eye.I think or have been told for years.

Ó' Súilleabháin

Ní is for the womenfolk.

It's my name too, and I was alway's told that "one eye" is a mistranslation, and the correct meaning is dark eye....

Whats your surname in irish?

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