Whats your surname in irish?

Dionysus · 26-01-2010 12:23am

Great thread! I'm a history teacher and we have recently started doing Ireland in the Middle Ages and not one of the kids had heard of a coat of arms or heraldry and had no knowledge of their own families ever having had one (we were studying the initiation of Norman knights in late medieval Ireland).

This got the entire class enthused about their surnames and for the rest of the class I was explaining individually to each student the origin of their own names insofar as I could. I was genuinely shocked, for instance, that a kid named O'Sullivan had absolutely no knowledge of the Irish version of his name, where in Ireland the name came from and super famous leaders such as Dónall Cam Ó Súilleabháin Béirre. I could have talked to that one kid for the entire class about famous people of his name.

They were, thankfully, fascinated by the whole subject. I just wonder what sort of parents they have that they have so little prior awareness of their respective family histories.

I'm now trying to think of what type of project they could do. I'm tempted to get them to draw their family coat of arms, but I'm conscious that every family does not yet have a coat of arms. I think a family history of their surname would be a great idea to develop a sense of consciousness.

zynaps · 26-01-2010 2:41am

Dionysus wrote: »

I'm now trying to think of what type of project they could do. I'm tempted to get them to draw their family coat of arms, but I'm conscious that every family does not yet have a coat of arms. I think a family history of their surname would be a great idea to develop a sense of consciousness.

Or if they don't have one/can't find it, they could just make one up that suits them

Baile an Locha · 29-01-2010 7:17pm

ó Loidáin,, sometimes spelt ó Loideáin.
Haven't a clue where it stems from,

degausserxo · 01-02-2010 2:51am

Ní hIorua. It's apparently a Viking name (yarr, pillage, etc), and seeing as An Iorua is the Irish for Norway, I'mma guess it's right!

Or maybe it's a misspelling of Ior Rua.. hmm..

sharonneeson · 04-04-2010 9:03pm

could any1 tell me the irish word for the surname penrose please

Yoda · 04-04-2010 9:11pm

Penrose is most likely Cornish.

imbroglio · 05-04-2010 12:40am

Ní hÉalaí or Ní hÉalaithe, depending on what tribe you what to be associated with!

b984jf93h · 23-10-2010 6:04pm

Here's a website which tells you the Irish for loads of names:

http://www.irishidentity.com/names.htm

I don't know what "Ní Chathmhaoil" means but it's Irish for Caulfield anyway.

'Turns out "Ní Chathmhaoil"/"Mac Cathmhaoil" also means Campbell. And you add a "h" for the female version, I'm presuming that's the same for all surnames.

If anyone knows where the name comes from (I think it's Norman), or what it means, I'd be very grateful if you could enlighten me.

Mise le meas,

caulmesarah

An Riabhach · 01-12-2010 2:23pm

My name is Jason Ray.
Séasán Ó Riabhaigh is ainm dom.

"Ó Riabhaigh" means "grandson/descendant of the riabhach".
Riabhach is the Irish word for grey,striped,streaked or brindled;therefore "Ó Riabhaigh" would mean "grandson/descendant of the grey one"i.e. grey-haired or streaked hair,and possibly somebody who wore grey or striped clothes.

Ó Riabhaigh is the Irish for surnames Ray,Rea,Ravey,Reavey and other variants.

Just for anyone who wanted to know!!:-):-):-)

AWard · 01-12-2010 7:29pm

Ward:

Quite numerous, very numerous...woohoo! Well, we're busy.

The original <?> version is rare, Mac a' Bháird. But it's a start.

My Greek first name probably doesn't have an Irish equivalent [edit: found a Scots-Gaelic version that is supposedly valid in Irish as well: Alastriona]....my middle does, my confirmation name - probably.

I think my dragon-in-law has done the genealogy back as far as the church that burned down with the records and the trail stops.

finipops · 01-12-2010 7:33pm

Mine is Ó Dálaigh.

Bazzo · 01-12-2010 8:10pm

Barra ó hEarcáin is ainm dom.

I know that it originates from Donegal, but have never been told the meaning.

Ruu_Old · 01-12-2010 8:14pm

McEnroe. Below is the meaning I have heard most when trying to find out more. One place told me that Cú Rubha was an Ulster chief of some sort.

Anglicized form of Gaelic Mac Con Rubha ‘son of Cú Rubha’, meaning ‘hound of the promontory’.

freyners · 01-12-2010 8:20pm

decisions · 01-12-2010 8:25pm

Byrne (and Byrnes, O'Byrne, O'Byrnes, Burns, Beirne) Ó Bhroin meaning raven and if you believe wiki (which i dont) and is the seventh most common last name in Ireland today.

Agus what does Ní mean??

Blackjack · 01-12-2010 8:29pm

zynaps wrote: »

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

Boots?.

rua327 · 01-12-2010 8:30pm

Daithí O' Liathaín is anam dom

O' Liathaín is Lyons, which is an English name (Boo I know), but come from Galway, Cork and Limerick and is closely related to Lynch, Lynne, and Lehane.

Translates roughly as David (the grey man).

Only just found out that I am living in Carrigaline or Carraig Uí Leighin, which roughly translates as the rock of Lyons, Lynch, Lehane. So apparently I am now the king of the town. :pac:

zynaps · 01-12-2010 11:41pm

Blackjack wrote: »

Boots?.

Ah, good old Boots! This was before that, around 1995 maybe - 'twas Monty at that time. Boots was 2nd in command

decisions wrote: »

Agus what does Ní mean??

I think Ní and Nic just mean "daughter of", similar to Mac for "son of"?

Micilin Muc · 02-12-2010 10:54am

zynaps wrote: »

I think Ní and Nic just mean "daughter of", similar to Mac for "son of"?

Exactly.

Máire Ní Mhurchú and Seán Ó Murchú would be sister and brother. Sinéad Uí Mhurchú and Micheál Ó Murchú would be their parents.

Máire Ní Airt and Seán Ó hAirt would be sister and brother. Sinéad Uí Airt and Micheál Ó hAirt would be their parents.

Máire Nic Phiarais and Seán Mac Piarais would be sister and brother. Sinéad Mhic Phiarais and Micheál Mac Piarais would be their parents.

Máire Nic Eoin and Seán Mac Eoin would be sister and brother. Sinéad Mhic Eoin and Micheál Mac Eoin would be their parents.

secman · 02-12-2010 10:58am

Sean ó Sheasnáin is ainm dom

BigDuffman · 02-12-2010 11:03am

Ó Dubhthaigh is ainm dom

dmaxontour · 02-12-2010 1:26pm

Mac FHIRLÉIGHINN

Which i think means son of the learn-ed man... which is nice

snowfinch · 09-12-2010 5:25pm

Ní Mheachair - 'kindly', 'generous', 'hospitable' ... could be worse.

McGilla · 20-06-2011 5:21pm

Robert Magillidh Iontan is ainm dom.
(Im unsure of my surname spelling!)

Anybody who wishes to correct me Id be very interested.

Insect Overlord · 20-06-2011 5:26pm

McGilla wrote: »

Robert Magillidh Iontan is ainm dom.
(Im unsure of my surname spelling!)

Anybody who wishes to correct me Id be very interested.

Sounds like it could be Mac Giolla Fhiontain.

Yoda · 20-06-2011 5:27pm

Sounds like Mac Giolla Fhiontáin to me.

mr_november · 22-06-2011 1:56am

Gallagher - Ó Gallchobhair nó Ó Gallchóir

Múineadh dom ar scoil an litriú Ó Gallchóir ach le déanaí thosaigh mé ag baint úsáid as Ó Gallchobhair mar is fearr liom an seanleagan in áit leagan nua-aimseartha gairidithe. Ina theannta sin tháinig mé thar leabhar mo sheanuncail lena ainm ar an gclúdach agus bhain seisean úsáid as an litriú Ó Gallchobhair. Ní maith liom an bealach a raibh múinteoir bunscoile amháin in ann an bealach a litríonn mo chlann ár tsloinne a athrú gan bac ar an litriú bunúsach mo chlann ach b'fhéidir go raibh i ndualgas mo thuismitheoirí mo shloinne a litriú mo shloinne a mhúineadh dom. D'athraigh mo dheirfiúr a hainm go dtí an leagan Gaeilge agus bhain sise úsáid as Ó Gallchóir. Rud ait - sa daonáireamh bhain mo chlann úsáid as trí shloinnte difriúil, mise Ó Gallchobhair, mo dheirfiúr Ó Gallchóir agus gach éinne eile Gallagher!

:D

Tagann an sloinne féin ó Gall (Foreign) agus Cabhair (Help), = Foreign-help. Ní dóigh liom go bhfuil daoine cinnte cár as a tháinig sé go díreach. Déanaim dearmad ar na cúpla tomhais a chuala mé faoi. Ar aon nós, tagaim ó chlann Chinél Chonaill, mac Niall Noígíallach agus comhghuaillí Ó Dómhnaill i nDún na nGall. :cool::cool:

dubhthach · 22-06-2011 8:10am

mr_november wrote: »

Gallagher - Ó Gallchobhair nó Ó Gallchóir

Múineadh dom ar scoil an litriú Ó Gallchóir ach le déanaí thosaigh mé ag baint úsáid as Ó Gallchobhair mar is fearr liom an seanleagan in áit leagan nua-aimseartha gairidithe. Ina theannta sin tháinig mé thar leabhar mo sheanuncail lena ainm ar an gclúdach agus bhain seisean úsáid as an litriú Ó Gallchobhair. Ní maith liom an bealach a raibh múinteoir bunscoile amháin in ann an bealach a litríonn mo chlann ár tsloinne a athrú gan bac ar an litriú bunúsach mo chlann ach b'fhéidir go raibh i ndualgas mo thuismitheoirí mo shloinne a litriú mo shloinne a mhúineadh dom. D'athraigh mo dheirfiúr a hainm go dtí an leagan Gaeilge agus bhain sise úsáid as Ó Gallchóir. Rud ait - sa daonáireamh bhain mo chlann úsáid as trí shloinnte difriúil, mise Ó Gallchobhair, mo dheirfiúr Ó Gallchóir agus gach éinne eile Gallagher! :D

Tagann an sloinne féin ó Gall (Foreign) agus Cabhair (Help), = Foreign-help. Ní dóigh liom go bhfuil daoine cinnte cár as a tháinig sé go díreach. Déanaim dearmad ar na cúpla tomhais a chuala mé faoi. Ar aon nós, tagaim ó chlann Chinél Chonaill, mac Niall Noígíallach agus comhghuaillí Ó Dómhnaill i nDún na nGall. :cool::cool:

Gallagher is indeed a northern Uí Néill name specifically tied to the Cinél Chonaill. They were heredity marshalls to the O'Donnells. Looking at the M222 genetic project I see that there are at least two Gallagher members who have tested positive.

M222 is associated with the wider Uí Néill and Connachta dynasties (Uí Fiachrach and Uí Briúin)

http://www.familytreedna.com/public/R1b1c7,R1b1c7/default.aspx

http://clanmaclochlainn.com/R1b1c7/

mr_november · 01-07-2011 10:58pm

dubhthach wrote: »

Gallagher is indeed a northern Uí Néill name specifically tied to the Cinél Chonaill. They were heredity marshalls to the O'Donnells. Looking at the M222 genetic project I see that there are at least two Gallagher members who have tested positive.

M222 is associated with the wider Uí Néill and Connachta dynasties (Uí Fiachrach and Uí Briúin)

http://www.familytreedna.com/public/R1b1c7,R1b1c7/default.aspx

http://clanmaclochlainn.com/R1b1c7/

Go raibh míle maith agat as ucht na nascanna sin. Táim ag iarraidh ciall a bhaint astu ach breathnaíonn siad an-casta!!

GRMA ar aon nós...taispeánfaidh mé iad do mo dheirfiúr mar tá sise níos cliste!!

dubhthach · 02-07-2011 12:16am

mr_november wrote: »

Go raibh míle maith agat as ucht na nascanna sin. Táim ag iarraidh ciall a bhaint astu ach breathnaíonn siad an-casta!! GRMA ar aon nós...taispeánfaidh mé iad do mo dheirfiúr mar tá sise níos cliste!!

All men carry a Y-Chromosome. This is passed from father to son. If a unique genetic marker happens in a man's Y then that marker will be carried only by his male descendants. Men who have surnames connected to the Uí Néill and to wider Connachta tribal federation carry such a marker on their Y. It's called M222. Everyman who carries it are descendants of one man who probably lived about 2,000 years ago.

Here's the map that was published in New York Times in 2006, Niall probably carry M222 but he wasn't the originator of the genetic marker.
ireland470.645.jpg

SionnachOghma · 12-07-2011 1:18pm

Pádraig Ó Faodhagáin

lorweld · 14-08-2011 9:12am

I'd love if someone could tell me the meaning of my surname please. In English it is Weldon Irish: Ni Bhéalatúin.

Also I'm aware that Ni means daughter of but is a surname different when you get married. For example I'm ni bhealatuin but if my brother got married would his wife also be ni or something different?

Magic Beans · 14-08-2011 9:25am

I believe she would be Uí Bhéalatúin but I'm open to correction.

Le meas,

Pónairí Draíochta

messrs · 14-08-2011 9:28am

Emer Ni an Sionnach is anim dom

Rubecula · 14-08-2011 5:19pm

I really don't think my surname has actually got an Irish version. It has apparently always been the same as far back as I can find. (apart from spelling mistakes and dodgy transcription that is)

P. Breathnach · 14-08-2011 9:54pm

Rubecula wrote: »

I really don't think my surname has actually got an Irish version. It has apparently always been the same as far back as I can find. (apart from spelling mistakes and dodgy transcription that is)

How about Spideogín (little robin)?

tallaghtmick · 14-08-2011 9:59pm

o'leanai......it means "Irish for tallaghtmicks french surname":pac:

I went to an all irish primary school and they insisted I have a Irish surname so they made that up:rolleyes:

CrowdedHouse · 14-08-2011 10:10pm

Walsh - Breathnach

One of the Welshmen seemingly

(Until we became more Irish than the Irish themselves)

Rubecula · 15-08-2011 2:54pm

P. Breathnach wrote: »

How about Spideogín (little robin)?

Fine idea my knowledgeable friend. My surname is actually descended from French, the Rubecula bit I chose for the very reason you suggest though. Robin is part of the surname. (Robinette) Bet there are none left in Ireland now though.

joolsveer · 15-08-2011 3:03pm

Daithí Ó Muircheartaigh

Magic Beans · 15-08-2011 5:47pm

Rubecula wrote: »

Fine idea my knowledgeable friend. My surname is actually descended from French, the Rubecula bit I chose for the very reason you suggest though. Robin is part of the surname. (Robinette) Bet there are none left in Ireland now though.

How about Sconna, the Irish for tap as robinet is the French for tap?

Rubecula · 16-08-2011 4:30pm

Magic Beans wrote: »

How about Sconna, the Irish for tap as robinet is the French for tap?

That brings back some warm memories for me. My gran used to call me a little Scone 'edd when I was little and I was being mildly chastised for a practical joke or something.

Spideogin sconna has a kind of ring to it.

Thanks for that guys I feel quite pleased with the result.

The Minstrel · 23-08-2011 1:19pm

lorweld wrote: »

I'd love if someone could tell me the meaning of my surname please. In English it is Weldon Irish: Ni Bhéalatúin.

It's a tricky one with non-Irish names. Should you translate as above (gaelicising the word), or take the old English meaning of the name and make a translation in that way?

How was it generally done back in the day, with non-gaelic names? For example Fitzgerald - what's the Irish version, presuming it has a translation?

An gal gréine · 23-08-2011 2:17pm

Mac Gearailt is what's used for Fitzgerald.
The well-known Ó hUallacháin family of singers from Dundalk are Weldons, as distinct from Houlihans, in English.

lorweld · 23-08-2011 2:30pm

I've never heard that version of Weldon in Irish.
Although I've heard Mhaoldúin used but I think it's used mostly in the north of Ireland.

An gal gréine · 23-08-2011 2:46pm

The're in Fermanagh, yeah. Pádraigín Ní hUallacháin, if you check her out, will fill you in as regards her version from Louth/Armagh.

General Michael Collins · 23-08-2011 9:43pm

Ua Hóireabhárd

cats.life · 23-08-2011 9:47pm

BREATHNEACH...maire

BamboozledFinn · 23-08-2011 9:53pm

Nic Suibhne - Sweeney.
It means pleasant and it's guessed to be descended from the Scottish "Sween"

P. Breathnach · 23-08-2011 10:50pm

cats.life wrote: »

BREATHNEACH...maire

I wouldn't spell it that way.

Whats your surname in irish?

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