Irish surnames
I'm looking for Irish surnames that do not have the token "Mc" or "O'" and the rest of that lot at the beginning. Any suggestions?
Replies
There are plenty of Irish surnames without those prefixes! Moore, Fitzgerald, Mooney, Renehan (it's uncommon, but as it's mine, I'm partial to it), Perry... And, yes, as someone else has already stated, there are quite a few already listed in the database.
Moore & FitzGerald are English/Norman
My last name is Whelihan (pron.like Wee - la - hand < w/o the d) and it's Irish.
This message was edited 9/1/2007, 3:29 PM
I know Buckley
Well if you haven't checked already there are many that don't start with Mc or O here: http://surnames.behindthename.com/php/search.php?terms=Irish&title=Irish+Names&usage=yes
One group of surnames that don't begin with Mac and O but are Irish are those taken from Irish place names. These form a very small and select band. Ones I know are: Corbally, Dease, Drumgoole, Finglas, Galbally, Santry, Slane (or Slaney) and Trim. Edward MacLysaght suggests that Craughwell and Powderley are also from Irish place names.
There are some names that look like Irish county names but, I believe, have non-Irish origins: Carlow, Longford, Sligo. Also some Irish names beginning with Kil- look like they're from place names, but are really versions of MacIl- names, e.g., Kilkenny for MacIlhenny.
There are some names that look like Irish county names but, I believe, have non-Irish origins: Carlow, Longford, Sligo. Also some Irish names beginning with Kil- look like they're from place names, but are really versions of MacIl- names, e.g., Kilkenny for MacIlhenny.
The majority of Irish surnames begin with either Mc or O, as the saying goes...
"by "Mc" and "O" you'll always know an Irishman they say, for if they lack the "Mc" or "O", no Irishmen are they"
However over time many surnames have dropped their prefix when translated into English e.g. my surname Devine is actually O'Devine or Ó Daimhín in Irish Gaelic or Gaeilge as we call it.
So all you have to do is find a name you like and drop the Mc or O. Does that help?
Why are you looking for an Irish surname with Mc or O? Do you want to use it as a first name?
"by "Mc" and "O" you'll always know an Irishman they say, for if they lack the "Mc" or "O", no Irishmen are they"
However over time many surnames have dropped their prefix when translated into English e.g. my surname Devine is actually O'Devine or Ó Daimhín in Irish Gaelic or Gaeilge as we call it.
So all you have to do is find a name you like and drop the Mc or O. Does that help?
Why are you looking for an Irish surname with Mc or O? Do you want to use it as a first name?