Irish Ancestors: Viking/Norse surname origins



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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