Anketell | rare: N.E.Ulster. Anglo-Norman, 13 cent. Ir. Ancoitil. From Norse name. SI. |
Arturs | numerous E.Ulster, Tyrone, Meath/Louth/Cavan & Kerry/Clare/Limerick. Ir. Mac Airt & Mac Artúir. Northern ones probably of Scottish origin but in Munster MacLysacht states it is pre-Norman, Norse origin. The name has been prominent in Limerick since 12 cent. Mac Arthur is a separate Scottish name. SI. |
Beirne | numerous: Roscommon/Leitrim, E. Leinster. Ir. Ó Beirn, derived from Norse Bjorn. There were two N.Connacht septs of this name. In Leinster it is a synonym of Byrne, which is a totally different name, Ó Broin. IF & SGG. |
Birney | Quite numerous: Ulster. Ir. Mac Biorna. Scottish, of Norse derivation but also from Birnie in Moray. SGG & SS. |
Bligh | Quite numerous: Dublin, Midlands, Connacht. Ir. Ó Blighe (Blí) (from a Norse name) in Connacht, otherwise of English origin from the place Blyth or the adjective "blithe", in the latter instances the Irish version is de Blaghd. See also Blythe. SI. |
Boland | numerous: all provinces. Ir. Ó Beolláin, from Norse Bjolan, but nevertheless the name of two Irish septs, one in Sligo, one in Clare. IF & SGG. |
Broderick | numerous: all provinces, especially Munster. Ir. Ó Bruadair, from a Norse personal name. Broderick, an indigenous English name, has absorbed many who were previously anglicised Broder or Brouder. Native septs of Ó Bruadair existed in Cork and Galway. |
Casement | Quite numerous: Down etc. Ir. Mac Asmaint. Originally in Antrim and of Manx descent. The name comes from Norse Asmundr by way of Manx Gaelic. MIF. |
Caskey | Quite numerous: Derry, Tyrone etc. Ir. Mac Ascaidh, apparently of Norse origin. Also occurs as MacAskie. A similar name exists in Scotland. |
Coppinger | Quite numerous: Cork, Galway. Ir. Coipingéir. MacLysacht states it to be of Norse origin and settled in Cork 14 cent. SI. |
Corkill | Very rare: Belfast. Ir. Mac Thorcaill. Of Scottish or Manx origin, from the Norse personal name Thorketill. See also MacCorkell. SS. |
Costin | Very rare: Waterford & Cork. Ir. Mac Oistín (Austin). The Norse form of Augustine. |
Cotter | Very numerous: mainly Cork and Munster, E Ulster. Ir. Mac Coitir, originally Mac Oitir, from a Norse personal name (the Gaels were quite prepared to adopt foreign names). The name has always been associated with Cork. IF. |
Dolphin | Quite numerous: Galway etc. Norse, 13 cent. Formed a sept in the Irish fashion and maintained themselves through the centuries. Ir. Doilfin. MIF. |
Doyle | Very numerous: all provinces, particularly Dublin and E Leinster. Ir. Ó Dubhghaill. meaning "dark foreigner". The chief sept was of Norse origin. See also MacDowell. IF. |
Dring | Very rare: Cork. English, 17 cent. Old Norse dreng, a freeholder. SI. |
Earner | Very rare: E Galway. Ir. Ó Saothraidhe (Saoraí). Woulfe considers it derived from Síoghraidh, a Norse name, but it has been translated into Earner and Freeman as well as anglicised Seery which latter still appears in the original territory, Offaly. SGG. |
Fisk | Very rare: Dublin. English, from Norse form of "fish". DOS. |
Gammell | Quite numerous: Limerick etc. Ir. Gamal. This name is associated with East Anglia in England and said to be of Norse origin. (Caution: in Irish gamal = simpleton!). |
Gawley | Quite numerous: Belfast area, Connacht. Ir. Mag Amhlaoibh. From Norse Olaf. A sept of Fermanagh related to the Maguires. See MacAuley. The Scottish clan Macauley probably accounts for many Gawleys in Ulster. IF. |
Gohery | fairly rare: Galway, Midlands. Ir. Ó Gothraidh, derived from Norse Gothfrith a name meaning "god-peace". As this became Godfrey in English, the latter is often used as an anglicisation. The name was associated with E Galway and Offaly.MIF. |
Groarke | Quite numerous: Mayo and scattered. Ir. Mag Ruairc. Ó Corráin & Maguire remark that the rare early name Ruarc may contain the word arg, a hero or champion. However, Woulfe and MacLysaght regard it as a Norse name, Ruadhrac from Hrothrekr. In any case, it is the basis for the Rourkes, always associated with Breifne. Groarke was a sept of the Southern Uí Néill, seated in W Meath. GPN, SGG & IF. |
Guckian | Quite numerous: Leitrim. Ir. Mag Uiginn, possibly from Uiging, a Viking. This name occurs mainly in Ulster as MacGuigan and MacGuckin, q.v. MIF. |
Gunne | fairly numerous: Fermanagh-Cavan-Monaghan etc. Ir. Mac Giolla Gunna; Mac Giolla Dhuinn. Either "gun gillie" or "brown attendant". A sept of Fermanagh. It is also a Scottish name of Norse origin. Still exists as MacElgunn. SI & SS. |
Gurrie | rare: Sligo. Ir. Mac Gothraidh, from the Norse Gothfrith "god-peace" which became Godfrey in English. A name associated with the O'Reillys of Breifne. |
Halley | fairly numerous: Waterford-Kilkenny etc. Ir. Ó h-Ailche (Waterford) of Norse origin; Ó h-Aille (Clare) a sept near Bunratty. MacLysaght says that some Tipperary Hallys are Ó Maol Chathail, otherwise Mulhall. SI & SGG. |
Hammond | numerous: E Ulster, Dublin. From the Norse personal name Amundr, this name pre-dates the Norman Invasion, but was also borne by later English settlers. It may stand for Mac Ámainn (MacCammon) which was associated with Down. SI & SGG. |
Hanrick | rare: Wexford. Ir. Ó h-Annraic, from a Norse personal name. They were a branch of the MacMurroughs. Also Hendrick. SI &MIF. |
Harford | Quite numerous: Dublin etc. English, 13 cent. "de Hereford". Possibly a Norse name, pre-dating the Invasion. SI &MIF. |
Harold | Quite numerous: Dublin and scattered. Well-known Teutonic first name associated with Norse families in Dublin and Limerick. Pre-dating the Norman invasion. IF. |
Harrold | fairly rare: Limerick-Tipperary etc. Ir. Haralt. A Norse name associated with Limerick and so, perhaps, one of the founding families of that city. SI. |
Hastings | numerous: E Ulster, Derry City, Mayo-Galway etc. Ir. Ó h-Oistín from Norse personal name - a sept of N Connacht. In Ulster, it is likely to be English, deriving from the place in Sussex. SGG & DBS. |
Hendricks | fairly numerous: Wexford etc. Ir. Mac Annraic (from a Norse first name). They were a branch of the MacMurroughs. MIF. |
Hever | fairly rare: Sligo-Roscommon-Leitrim. Ir. Ó h-Íomhair, from a Norse first name. They were a sept of Uí Fiachrach in Sligo. SI & SGG. |
Higgins | Very numerous: all areas especially Connacht and Ulster. Ir. Ó h-Uiginn, uiging, a viking or sea-rover. A branch of the Southern Uí Néill, they moved to Connacht; a literary family noted for their poetic ability, they were later prominent in S America. IF & SGG. |
Histon | fairly rare: Limerick-Clare-Cork. Ó h-Oistín (from a Norse first name). A sept of Mayo, who were attached to the MacDermotts. Some of them moved to Limerick. In Connacht, the name has been changed to Hastings. SI & SGG. |
Justin | rare: Belfast area, Dublin etc. English, derived from Latin Justinus or Old Norse Iósteinn. As a first name it is used for Saerbhreathnach amongst the MacCarthys. |
Kettle | fairly rare: Dublin (N County), Cavan etc. Ir. Mac Coitil, probably Norse origin. A noted family of Fingal (N County Dublin) of whom the poet Tom Kettle (1880-1916). |
Kettyle | fairly rare: Fermanagh-Cavan, Belfast. English from Old Norse. See Kettle. DOS. |
Lamont | numerous: Ulster generally, N Leinster. Ir. Mac Laghmainn. A Scottish family of Argyle, said to be descended from the O'Neills. The name is of Norse origin. |
Laughlin | fairly numerous: Belfast, Antrim etc. Ir. Lochlainn (Scandinavia). Perhaps for Mac Lochlainn from Norse first name Lachlan in Scotland. See O'Loughlin. |
Loughlin | numerous: Ulster, Connacht, N Leinster etc. Ir. Ó Lochlainn, Lochlann, a first name probably meaning Viking. The best-known sept was of Dál gCais (Clare) and the name exists also as MacLoughlin, q.v. GPN. |
MacAskie | rare: Tyrone. Ir. Mac Ascaidh, from Norse first name. See also Mac Caskie. A Scottish name from Galloway. SS. |
MacAskill | Very rare: Belfast. Ir. Mac Ascaill, from a Norse first name. The name is Scottish and they were known as Clann t-Ascaill there. SS. |
Macauley | Very numerous: Ulster generally, Dublin etc. (1) Mac Amhlaoibh, from Norse Olaf, related to the Maguires of Fermanagh. (2) Mac Amhalghaidh, from early first name, associated with the Midlands. Compare Mac Auliffe. |
MacAuliffe | numerous: Munster, especially N Cork-W Limerick-E Kerry. Ir. Mac Amhlaoibh, from Norse first name Olaf. A N Cork sept related to the Mac Carthys. IF. |
MacBirney | rare: Armagh. Ir. Mac Biorna, Scots with name of Norse origin. Relatively recent in Ulster. |
MacBurney | numerous: E Ulster. Ir. Mac Biorna, Scottish from a Norse name and in Ireland 19 cent. See also Mac Birney. |
MacCabe | Very numerous: Ulster generally, Leitrim-Roscommon, South East. Ir. Mac Cába, a galloglass family from the Western Isles who settled in Breifne (Cavan-Leitrim) and said to be of Norse origin. IF & SS. |
MacCammond | fairly numerous: E Ulster: Ir. Mac Ámoinn, from Norse first name. May be of Scottish origin, but long associated with Down. SI, SS & SGG. |
MacCaskie | rare: Tyrone, Down etc. Ir. Mac Ascaidh, from Norse first name. |
MacCleod | Very rare: Belfast area. Ir. Mac Leoid (SGA). Scottish from Western Isles 16 cent. See also Mac Leod and Mac Cloud. The name derives from a Norse first name. SGG. |
MacCorkell | Quite numerous: Derry-Tyrone-Donegal. Ir. Mac Thorcaill (son of Thorcall, a Norse name). Scottish, related to Clann Gunn of Argyle. SI. |
MacCorkingdale | Very rare: Ballymena (Antrim). Scots Gaelic Mac Thorcadaill, from Norse name Thorketill,"Thor's kettle". A fuller version of Mac Corkell. SS. |
MacCotter | Quite numerous: Antrim etc. Ir. Mac Oitir, from Norse first name Ottar. Primarily Scottish as the name is always Cotter in the south and Irish is Mac Coitir. |
MacGetrick | fairly rare: Sligo, Midlands, Belfast etc. Ir. Mag Shitric. Sitric was a Norse first name. See also Mac Kittrick. |
MacGettigan | numerous: Donegal-W Tyrone-Derry; Sligo, Galway etc. Ir. Mag Eiteagáin. Originating in Tyrone and appearing as Ó h-Eiteagáin. A Norse first name perhaps.MIF. |
MacGorry | Very rare: Tyrone-Derry. Ir. Mac Gothraidh, from Norse first name Gothfrith. They were associated with the O'Reillys of Cavan. |
MacGuigan | numerous: Ulster generally, ecpecially Tyrone-Derry-Antrim. Also Louth etc. Ir. Mag Uiginn. Perhaps from uige, ingenuity; or, Uiginn, a Viking. Many variants. |
MacIvor | numerous: Ulster generally. Ir. Mac Íomhair, Íomhar being a Norse first name. Also as Mac Keever. Generally of Scottish origin. MIF. |
MacKerrow | Very rare: Dublin. Ir. Mac Ciothruadha, from a Norse name, according to Woulfe. He found it in the Midlands. However, Black finds the name in Galloway as Mac Cearrbhaigh (gambler). SGG & SS. |
MacKittrick | fairly numerous: Ulster generally. Ir. Mac Shitric from Norse first name Sitric (victory). A name associated with Oriel; also Scottish, Mac Kettrick. MIF. |
MacLaughlin | Very numerous: all areas, especially Donegal-Derry and Ulster generally. Ir. Mac Lochlainn, from a Norse first name. An important sept of the Northern Uí Néill, located in Inishowen (Donegal). Other septs existed elsewhere. Also as Mac Loughlin, q.v. SI. |
MacLeod | Quite numerous: Down-Antrim etc. Scots Gaelic Mac Leòid, derived from Norse first name Ljòtr, "ugly". Also as Mac Cleod and Mac Cloud. SS. |
MacLoughlin | Very numerous: all areas, especially Donegal and Ulster generally; Louth and N Midlands. Ir. Mac Lochlainn, from Norse first name meaning, perhaps, "viking". More usually Mac Laughlin in the North. There were two principal septs: one of the Northern Uí Néill; the other not Mac Loughlin at all but O'Melaghlin, descended from the High-King Maoilsheachlainn and located in Meath. IF. |
MacManus | Very numerous: all areas, mainly Ulster. Ir. Mac Maghnuis. The popular first name Mánus derives from Norse and ultimately Latin magnus (great). At least two septs: one related to the Maguires of Fermanagh; the other to the O'Connors of Connacht. In Scotland, the name is connected with the Colquhouns. IF & SS. |
MacRandal | fairly rare: Antrim etc. Ir. Mac Raghnaill. The Norse name Raghnall (Reginald) became popular with the Irish and appears more generally as Reynolds, q.v. |
MacSorley | numerous: Tyrone-Armagh etc. Ir. Mac Somhairle, from Norse "summer-farer". Scottish galloglasses who came to Ireland in 14 cent and formed a powerful sept. In Scotland the name relates to both Mac Donalds and Camerons. MIF. |
MacSwiggan | Quite numerous: Tyrone-Derry etc. Ir. Mac Suigin. Perhaps from Norse Swegan as suggested by Woulfe. The name is also known in Galloway. SGG & SS. |
Neilson | Quite numerous: Meath-Cavan-Louth etc. Ir. Mac Neighill. Derived from Norse first name Njall which is from Irish Niall. Popular English first name Nigel is cognate. So this name is basically the same as Neill & Mac Neill, q.v. |
Nihill | fairly rare: Clare-Limerick. Ir. Ó Neighill. They were a sept of Thomond (Clare). Synonymous with O'Neill but the spelling suggests a Norse connection. See Nelson. |
Norman | Quite numerous: Dublin, Belfast, Cork etc. English, "Northman, Viking". In Ulster 17 cent. |
Norris | numerous: mainly Derry, South East etc. Ir. Noiréis. Anglo-Normans, a northerner or Norse-man; more generally, 16 cent in Ireland. |
Nurse | rare: Belfast etc. See Norse. |
O'Beirne | numerous: Sligo-Roscommon-Leitrim-W Meath etc. Ir. Ó Beirn, from Norse first name Bjorn. A sept associated with the Mac Dermotts in Roscommon. IF. |
O'Higgins | fairly numerous: Galway-Mayo, N Leinster etc. Ir. Ó h-Uiginn, ? Viking. They were a sept of the Southern Uí Néill in W Meath, they were displaced to Sligo but flourished as a literary family. The name was notable in Spain and S America. IF. |
O'Loughlin | numerous: all areas, especially Clare. Ir. Ó Lochlainn, from a first name of Norse origin. A sept of Clare located in the Burren. IF. |
Olliffe | rare: Dublin. English, from Norse Olaf. |
Orme | rare: Dublin etc. English, from Norse first name Ormr, serpent. DOS & DBS. |
Reynolds | Very numerous: N Leinster, Connacht, E Ulster etc. This English name has taken the place of Ir. Mac Raghnaill, which derives from first name Raghnall, of Norse origin. The sept were located in Leitrim and this is still the centre of their distribution. Those in E Ulster may well be of English origin. IF. |
Ronaldson | rare: scattered. Scottish, Mac Ránaill, from Norse first name Raghnall, which became popular amongst the Irish. See Reynolds. |
Seery | numerous: Midlands etc. Ir. Ó Saoraidhe, more correctly Ó Síoghraidh from Norse first name Sigefrith. Erroniously translated Freeman and Earner. Woulfe equates it with Sugrue i.e. Ó Siocfhradha. They were located in W Meath. SI & SGG. |
Sigerson | Very rare: Kerry. Ir. Mac Siogair. A name of Norse origin, 16 cent in Ireland.MIF. |
Skiddy | Ir. Scideach. A name from Skye (Scotland) of Norse origin. They became established in Cork and were active in public life. The name does not appear in current telephone directories, but has been previously recorded. |
Skillen | fairly rare: Belfast area etc. Of Norse origin, according to MacLysacht; it also occurs in Scotland. |
Storey | numerous: Belfast area, N Antrim, Tyrone, Dublin, South East. English, from Old Norse first name Stori. In Ireland 17 cent and associated with Tyrone. SI. |
Sugrue | numerous: Kerry-Limerick etc. Ir. Ó Siocfhradha (Siocrú). From Norse first name Sigefrith. A sept of Iveragh (S Kerry) related to the O'Sullivans. MIF. |
Sutherland | Quite numerous: Leitrim, Midlands, Down & scattered. Scottish, from northern county which was "south" to the Vikings of Orkney. |
Swaine | fairly numerous: Ulster, South East etc. English, from Norse sveinn, a boy or servant. In Leinster since 13 cent. SI. |
Sweetman | fairly numerous: Midlands and South East. Ir. Suatman. MacLysaght says it was a Norse family of 12 cent. It has been associated with Kildare. SI & IF. |
Thunder | rare: Dublin. Ir. Ó Tórna. A Norse name around Dublin from early times. |
Toner | numerous: Ulster generally, Louth-Meath etc. Ir. Ó Tomhrair, from Norse first name Tomrar. They were a sept of Cineál Eoghain in Derry. MIF. |
Tormey | fairly numerous: W Meath-Offaly etc. Ir. Ó Tormaigh, from Norse first name Thormodr. Early records place it in Longford-Cavan. MIF. |
Trant | Quite numerous: Kerry etc. Ir. Treamhant, Treant. MacLysaght says it is of Norse origin. The family has always been associated with Kerry. MIF. |
Turpin | fairly rare: Dublin, Cork etc. English, said to derive from Norse Thor-Finn. DBS. |
Turtle | numerous: N Antrim etc. English, probably corruption of Norse Thorketill, which was current amongst the Normans. DBS. |
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