New Post
Search
Help
ArchivesRe: Irish surnames
in reply to a message by Leira
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.
1
Replies
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?
1