Irish Ancestors: French surname origins



Aungier rare: Dublin. Huguenots from 17 cent. Probably from the town of Angers. Woulfe gives Ir. Dáinséir - a fair representation of the French.
Ballinger rare: Clare. English of French origin: boulanger? Ir. Bailinséir.
Barbour fairly numerous: mainly E.Ulster. Also an Anglo-French derivation. This form most in use in early times. Many Ulster Barbours are of Scottish origin. MIF.
Basquille fairly rare: Mayo etc. Mac Lysacht considers it a variant of Baskwell which itself derives from Baskerville, a French placename. SI.
Beausang Quite numerous: Cork etc. A French family who were given the Irish epithet "Franncach" but now go under their fine original name. SGG & SGA.
Beckett numerous: E.Ulster, scattered in Leinster. Ir. Beicéid. English, from French bec.
Blanche fairly rare: Dublin & S.E. As Blanc in Midlands. Huguenot or later French immigrants.
Blunt Very rare: Ulster. Ir. Ó Finn (SGA). Generally Anglo-Norman Blount, q.v. The French "blond" is exactly equivalent to the Irish "fionn", gen. "finn". SI.
Bonham rare: Leinster. English, from French "bon homme". DBS.
Bovaird rare: Donegal, Derry. French, but not appearing amongst the Huguenots. SI.
Boyce numerous: Belfast, N Down, Donegal, Dublin, Limerick. Ir. Ó Buadhaigh in Donegal and the West; otherwise Anglo-Norman from French bois. SI & DBS.
Brunell rare: Dublin. English, dim. of French brun.
Bunce rare: Kerry, Belfast. As Bone, French bon.
Burgoyne rare: Belfast. English/French, "man from Burgundy".
Chaney fairly rare: Dublin. Anglo-Norman, from French chênaie, an oak-grove.
Charters Quite numerous: Belfast, Down etc. French Huguenots, 17 cent. SI.
Cheevers Quite numerous: Dublin, Waterford, N Midlands, Ulster, Galway. Ir. Síbhear. Anglo-Normans since 12 cent. From French chèvre, a goat. Also as Chivers. SI.
Choiseul Very rare: Tullamore. Presumably French Huguenot, 17 cent.
Condy rare: Tyrone. From the French Condé, of recent immigration. SI.
Conyers Very rare: Limerick. English, of French origin, de Coignières. In Ireland 17 cent. Also an anglicisation of O'Connor i.e. Ó Conchúir. MIF.
Corneille Very rare. Limerick. Palatine, 18 cent. A common French name - a Huguenot connection, perhaps. SI.
de Fréins French: líon beag: Loch Garman, Gaillimh. Ceann de "Threabhanna na Gaillimhe". Is cosúil gur Francach agus ní frêne atá annso. Féach Frínseach, leis.
De la Coure Very rare: Cork. French, current in France, also a synonym of Deloughry, q.v.
Delahay Very rare: Antrim. French, current in France as Delahaye.
Despard rare: Dublin. French.
Disney Very rare: Tipperary. English, 17 cent. From French D'Isigny.
Dorey Very rare: E Leinster. Possibly the French Doré.
Dormer Quite numerous: S E Leinster. MacLysaght says this is an English name of French origin dating from 1590 in Wexford. It may also relate to Ulster Ir. Ó Duibhdhíorma.MIF.
Dowse Quite numerous: Dublin etc. English, 14 cent. Probably from French douce, gentle. MIF.
Dubois fairly rare: Antrim. French Huguenot, 17 cent. "of the wood".
Duke fairly numerous: E Ulster and scattered widely. Usually from French duc, leader. English, 16 cent. It occurs in Irish as Diúic. SI.
Dupuy rare: Dublin. French?
Fant Very rare: Cork. Ir. Fant. One of the "Tribes of Galway"; also identified with Limerick in 14 cent. From French enfant, child. SGG.
Faux rare: Fermanagh etc. French.
Favier rare: Kerry. French.
Ffrench Quite numerous: Roscommon, Wexford, Meath etc. Anglo-Normans who settled in Wexford and Galway, whence one of the "Tribes of Galway". The Welsh "ff" for normal "f" arose in 16 cent. The name also occurs as French. Ir. Frinseach.
Finnamore rare: Midlands. Anglo-Norman, 13 cent. From French fin amour (dear love). The Irish Fionamúr is close to the original. SGG.
Fitz Very rare: Dublin. Norman fitz = fils (French) = mac (Irish) = son (English). In this case the "patro" part of the name has been dropped.
Folliard rare: Mayo. A French name meaning foolish.
Foyle Quite numerous: Midlands, Galway. A English name of French derivation which has been in Ireland since 13 cent. Modern Foyles have gaelicised themselves Ó Foighil. MIF.
Foynes rare: Laois-Kilkenny. Ir. Faghan. English of French origin (Fiennes). See Fynes.
Frain rare: Roscommon-Mayo. Ir. de Fréine. Also as Frayne, Freeney. From French frêne, an ashtree. MIF.
Francis fairly numerous: Down, Galway etc. Ir. Proinséis. A Norman name: le Franceis, the Frenchman. SI.
French numerous: E Ulster, Wexford, Waterford etc. Ir. Frínseach. One of the "Tribes of Galway" and long connected with Roscommon. Scottish & English, denoting French origin. IF.
Freyne Quite numerous: Kilkenny, Waterford, Mayo-Galway etc. Ir. de Fréine. An Anglo-Norman family who settled in Kilkenny. Synonyms: Frain, Frayne, Freaney, Freeney. Derivation from the French de frêne, (ashtree). MIF.
Friery rare: Meath-W Meath. Ir. Mac a' Phríora (son of the prior). There is some confusion between Friar, an English name from the French frère, and Prior, an Irish name denoting a church official. See Freer, Friers. SI & SGG.
Frinseach French: líonmhar: Ulaidh, Oir-dheisceart. Ceann de "Threabhanna na Gaillimhe" agus baint acu le Ros Comáin. Sasanaigh de bhunadh Francach. IF.
Gabbey Quite numerous: Down. Gab meant mockery, deceit. There was also the French Gaby, a popular form of Gabriel.
Gabriel rare: Cork. English or French.
Gailliard rare: Down. French.
Gammon Very rare: Down. English, one given to games. MacLysaght found the name in Munster and refers it to French gambon, leg. It is gaelicised Gambún. SI.
Gaskin Quite numerous: Louth, Dublin, Belfast. Ir. de Gascún, from French Gascogne (Gascony). The name has been in England and Ireland since 13 cent. SI.
Gaye rare: Dublin, Cork etc. Ir. Mac Giolla Dé (servant of God). However present distribution suggests an English origin, which is from French gai, light-hearted. Quite common in England. See also Gildea and Kildea.
Gervais rare: Tyrone. French.
Gifford rare: Down. Scottish, of Norman origin. The common French name Giffard means "chubby". Dauzat.
Giles numerous: Down & Tyrone, Meath-W Meath, Cork etc. Ir. Ó Glaisne; Glaisne was an early first name favoured in Ulster. The surname was associated with Louth. Elsewhere the name may be English, being derived there from a 6 cent French saint. There is a long association with Cork, where the name survives. SI.
Gillman fairly rare: Cork and scattered. English, 16 cent. Dimin. of French Guillaume.
Going Very rare: Wicklow etc. Ir. Mac Gabhann or French Gouin. The latter were in Tipperary at the end of 17 cent - presumably Huguenots.
Gowing fairly rare: Laois, Carlow. Ir. Mac Gabhann. The name, in the form Going, has been in Tipperary since 17 cent and a suggestion of a connection with the French Gouin, meaning blood-relative, has been made by MacLysaght. See Going.MIF & SGG.
Grainger fairly numerous: Belfast, Dublin, Cork. Ir. Gráinséir. From French grangier, a farm steward. It has appeared in mediaeval records but came mainly in the settlements of the 17 cent. SI.
Grant numerous: Ulster, Dublin, The South-East, Connacht. Ir. Grant, Mag Raighne. A leading Scottish name of Norman origin, cognate with French grand, large, tall. However it has occurred in mediaeval records long before the advent of Scottish settlers in 17 cent. The name has been used for MacGranny, Granny (Mag Raighne) in Ulster. MIF.
Gueret rare: Dublin. French. Dauzat.
Guidon rare: Dublin. French. Dauzat.
Guy numerous: Ulster generally. Ir. Guidh. From a French presonal name. In Ulster since 17 cent. SI.
Huet fairly rare: Dublin etc. French, common in Normandy.
Jarvis fairly rare: Ulster generally. English from first name Gervais, of French origin. SI.
L'Estrange mod.nos.: W Meath etc. Ir. Mac Conchoigcríche (hound from abroad). This was an ancient first name associated with the O'Clerys and Mageoghans. It has been anglicised Peregrine meaning foreign, so telling only half the story. Coincidentally, an English family L'Estrange settled in the same area in 16 cent, so only a genealogical investigation could sort them out. The modern French name is Létrange (foreigner). SI.
Laffan fairly numerous: South East, N Munster etc. Ir. Lafán. Anglo-Normans in 14 cent. Derivation: French: l'enfant (child) or La Font (place-name). SI, SGG and Dauzat.
Large Quite numerous: Belfast, Armagh, Dublin etc. Anglo-Norman, 13 cent. French large = generous. SI.
Larmour numerous: Belfast etc. French, 17 cent in Ulster. Occupational: armourer. SI.
Le Gros Very rare: Dublin etc. A common French name.
Lemass fairly rare: Dublin. Thought to be French Le Maistre, 18 cent, an archaic form of the modern Lemaître, current in France. The name existed amongst the Huguenots. MIF.
Lomasney rare: Cork-Limerick. Ir. Ó Lomasna, "bare rib". The name originated in S Tipperary. See Lemasney, incorrectly thought to be French. SI.
Lovett Quite numerous: all areas, but mainly Kerry. Ir. Luibhéid, Mac Lomhaid (Scots). In Kerry it may be the French name Louvet (wolf-cub).
Machin Very rare: Belfast area. English, from Norman-French "mason".
MacShane numerous: Ulster generally, Louth-Meath etc. Ir. Mac Seáin, the first name Seán is a gaelicisation of Norman-French Jean. A branch of the O'Neills of Tyrone. SI.
Major Quite numerous: Belfast area, Tyrone etc. English, 17 cent in Ulster. Derived from Norman- French mauger, from Teutonic "council-spear". DOS.
Mallory Very rare: Belfast. English, derived from French malheuré, unlucky. DBS.
Manscier Very rare: Dublin. Possibly from French mansier, tenant of a manse (small farm).
Mansell fairly rare: Ulster etc. Ir. Móinséil. Scottish, perhaps from Norman-French le Manceau, but also English, settled in Kilkenny in mediaeval times and later connected with Limerick. SGG & SS.
Mercer numerous: E Ulster, Dublin. English, from French, mercier, merchant. In Ireland since mediaeval times. SI.
Meyers fairly rare: Dublin, Belfast, Kerry-Clare etc. Various origins: English, French and German, but in the west it is native Ó Meidhir. See Meers & Myers.
Mockler Quite numerous: Kilkenny-Tipperary etc. Ir. Móicléir, from French Mauclerc, bad cleric. They were Normans, in Tipperary 13 cent. This rather uncomplimentary name survives in France. MIF.
Molyneaux Quite numerous: Belfast area, N Kerry, Dublin. Norman French, so of long standing in Ireland. However, it also represents Ó Maolmhuaidh in Kerry and Ó Maolagáin in Ulster. See Molloy and Mulligan. The name still exists in France.
Mordaunt Quite numerous: Wicklow and South East. Anglo-Norman nick-name from French, mordant, biting, sarcastic". DBS.
Moreau rare: Dublin. French, synonym of Morell which was of Huguenot origin. "Moorish".
Mortell Quite numerous: Limerick-Clare, Cork. Ir. Mairtéil. Anglo-Normans, 13 cent. Probably derived from French martel, hammer.MIF.
Mouncey rare: Belfast area. Scottish & English, from a French place-name, Monceaux.
Mountford rare: Belfast area. English, variant of Montfort, a French place-name.
Moynes rare: Donegal-Derry, Down etc. Ir. Ó Muín (SGA). Also as Mines. A similar English name exists, derived from French moine, a monk. May be represented here.
Napier fairly numerous: Down-Antrim, Meath etc. English, 17 cent. From French napier, keeper of table linen
Neville numerous: Limerick-Cork, Clare-Kerry, South East, Armagh etc. Ir. Ó Niadh (champion), in Munster. Those of east and north are probably of English origin, deriving from French place-name Neuville.
Noel rare: Belfast, Dublin, Cork. English and French from French first name Noël (Christmas)
Norse Very rare: Wicklow. Anglo-Norman, from French nourrice (nurse) or variant of Norris.
Oliver numerous: Ulster, especially Belfast. Ir. Oilibhéar. From first name of French origin, in Ireland 14 cent. SI.
Page fairly numerous: mainly Dublin; Belfast etc. English, from French: boy, attendant.
Paine rare: Dublin, Ulster. English or Scottish. A name derived from Latin paganus (rustic) via French. See Payne.
Pardy fairly rare: scattered. English, from Old French Par Dieu, by God.
Passmore rare: Belfast area, Dublin. English from French passe mer, cross the sea.
Payne numerous: all areas, especially Dublin, N Down, Derry. Ir. Paghan. English, 14 cent onwards. From Latin paganus, countryman, rustic; the French is Payen. DOS.
Pedlow Quite numerous: N Armagh etc. An English name of French origin, pied de loup, wolf's foot. SI.
Peelo fairly rare: Dublin. Possibly French pel de loup, wolf's skin.
Pelly rare: Dublin. English, from French, "bald".
Pentony Quite numerous: Louth, Down etc. Ir. Mac Antaine (SGA). Anglo-Normans, originally Repenteny (French toponymic), in 12 cent. Later Penteny, associated with E Leinster.
Percival Quite numerous: Ulster, Leinster, Mayo. English of French origin; more recently in Ireland. DBS.
Perdue rare: Tipperary-Limerick etc. A Huguenot name in Youghal, 18 cent. A French nick-name, perdu, lost. Perhaps a child lost and, thankfully, found.
Petticrew Quite numerous: Down-Armagh etc. Huguenots in 17 cent in Ulster, according to MacLysaght, but the name has been in Scotland since 13 cent and may well account for many of the. Derivation: French petit cru, small growth. SI & SS.
Pettit Quite numerous: English, from French petit, little. In Ireland since Middle Ages.
Picard rare: Dublin and Ulster. French and English, native of Picardy.
Pierpoint rare: Belfast area etc. English, from French pierre-pont, stone bridge.
Piggott numerous: all areas, especially Munster. Ir. Piogóid. English derived from French pic (woodpecker) plus diminutive ot. Picot is extant in France. Dauzat.
Plunkett numerous: Dublin, Midlands etc. Ir. Pluincéid. French Blanquet, a reference to fairness of complexion. Anglo-Normans who settled in Meath. It is now the notable name of a distinguished family who have been associated with Meath for seven centuries.
Pomeroy fairly rare: Down, Dublin, Cork etc. English, 17 cent. From French pommeraie apple orchard. The town in Tyrone seems to have come from the surname.
Pullen fairly rare: Dublin, Belfast, Down etc. English, from Old French poulain, a colt, perhaps a lively person. DBS.
Purcell Very numerous: all areas, especially South East. Ir. Puirséil. From French pourcel, piglet. A notable Anglo-Norman family of Ormonde (Tipperary etc). IF.
Reville Quite numerous: Wexford-Waterford etc. English, 17 cent in Wexford. Variant of Revels or a French toponymic. Dauzat.
Riddell fairly numerous: Ulster generally. English, from French ridel, small hill. DBS.
Roche Very numerous: Munster and South East etc. Ir. de Róiste, from French roche, a rock. Normans who became established in Wexford and Munster after the Invasion. The area round Fermoy was known as Críoch Róisteach (Roches' Country). IF.
Ruby rare: Cork. French, de Roubaix, 17 cent. SI.
Russell Very numerous: all areas, especially Ulster. Ir. Ruiséil. Scottish and English but introduced by the Normans: French roussel, red-haired. Although recorded at the Invasion, most Russells came in 16 and 17 cents. IF.
Saul fairly rare: Dublin, Meath, Down. Ir. de Sál. Probably from French salle (hall) as they were Normans, arriving in 13 cent and associated with Waterford and Tipperary.MIF.
Saurin rare: Drogheda (Louth) etc. Huguenot, 18 cent. French de Sauvergne. It may occasionally stand for Soraghan, q.v.
Seymour fairly numerous: Belfast area, N Tipperary, Cork etc. English, 17 cent. Derived from French place-name St Maur. SI & DOS.
Sommerville numerous: mainly E Ulster; the family was also associated with Cork. It is English, probably derived from a French place-name. See Summerville. SI.
Stuart numerous: all areas, mainly Ulster. Ir. Stíobhard. A French version of Stewart used by Mary, Queen of Scots, who was brought up in France. Subsequently the royal house of Scotland and England. See Stewart.
Thuillier rare: Cork, Dublin. A notable family of Kinsale since 17 cent, they were distinguished as boat-builders. The family tradition is that they were French Protestants though not appearing on lists of Huguenots (Appendix C).
Turney rare: Down etc. English, from French place-name; so of Norman origin.
Uzell rare: Dublin. English, of Norman origin from Old French oisel, bird. DBS.
Veitch Quite numerous: Fermanagh, Down etc. A Scottish name derived from French vache, so of Norman origin. In Fermanagh and Cavan 17 cent. SI.
Villiers rare: Armagh, Cork etc. English from French place-name. Associated with Limerick.
Warr Very rare: Down. English, from the French de la Guerre, (Norman werre). Presumably a military man. Whence also the U.S. state of Delaware.
Warren numerous: E Ulster, South East, Cork etc. Ir. Bharain generally but Ó Murnáin in S W Munster. Derivation of English name may be de la Varenne (French place-name).

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