F
FAHY
Fahy in Irish is O Fathaigh, probably from fothadh meaning base or
foundation. Another, rare, English version of the name is Vahey.
Strangely, it has also been anglicised as Green because of a mistaken
association with faithce, meaning lawn. The name still has a very strong
association with Co Galway, where the historic homeland was situated. The area of the
familys power was around the modern town of Loughrea in the south of the county, and the
surname is still most plentiful in this area, despite the upheavals and migrations which
have spread the name quite widely throughout Ireland. The best known bearer of the name
was Francis Arthur Fahy (1854-1935), songwriter and literary man, who paved the way for
the Irish Literary Revival through his lifelong involvement with the Gaelic League and the
London Irish Literary Society.
FARRELL
As both (O) Farrell and (O) Ferrall, this name in Irish is fearghail, from the
personal name Fearghal, made up of fear, man, and gal, valour. The
original Fearghal or Fergal from whom the family claim descent was killed at Clontarf in
1014. His great grandfather Angall gave his name to the territory they possessed, Annally
in Co Longford. The present name of both the county and the town derives from the family,
the full name in Irish being Longphuirt Ui Fhearghaill, OFarrells Fortress. They
ruled this area for almost seven centuries, down to the final catastrophes of the
seventeenth century, after which many members of the family fought with distinction in the
armies of continental Europe. Today the surname is one of the most common in Ireland, with
a wide distribution throughout the country, though the largest concentration remains in
the historical homeland of Longford and the surrounding areas. The most famous modern
Irish bearer of the name was Michael Farrell (1899-1962), whose novel Thy Tears Might
Cease achieved international recognition in the 1960s.
FERGUSON
The surname is common in Scotland, and in Ireland is almost entirely confined to Ulster
because of the Scottish connection. It is particularly numerous in counties Antrim, Derry,
Fermanagh and Down. Most Irish Fergusons claim descent from Fergus, prince of Galloway,
who died in 1161, whose descendants included the Fergusons of Craigdarrach in
Dumfrieshire, and of Atholl and Dunfallandy in Perthshire. The connection remains somewhat
speculative, since the root of the name, the personal name Fergus, was common and
widespread in medieval Scotland, and almost certainly gave rise to a large number of
different families bearing the surname, Sir Samuel Ferguson (1810-86) was a percursor of
the Irish Literary Revival, publishing many translations from Irish and versions of Irish
myths, as well as contributing greatly to the scientific study of early Irish antiquities.
FINNEGAN
In Irish the surname is O Fionnagain, from Fionnagan, a diminutive of the popular personal
name Fionn, meaning fairheaded. It arose separately in two areas, on the
borders of the present north Roscommon and north-east Galway, between the modern towns of
Dunmore and Castlerea, and in the territory taking in parts of the present counties of
Monaghan, Cavan and Louth. Descendants of the Connacht family are still to be found in the
ancestral homeland, but the majority of modern Finnegans are descended from the Ulster
family, and the name remains particularly numerous in counties Cavan and Louth.
Descendants of the Connacht family are still to be found in the ancestral homeland, but
the majority of modern Finnegans are descended from the Ulster family, and the name
remains particularly numerous in counties Cavan and Monaghan. It is now also common
throughout Ireland, with the exception of the southern province of Munster.
FITZGERALD
Fitzgerald is a Norman name, made up of Fi(t)z, Norman French for son of, and
Gerald, a personal name of Germanic origin from geri, spear and wald,
rule. The family trace their origin to Walter FitzOther, keeper of Windsor
forest in the late eleventh century, whose son Gerald was constable of Pembroke Castle in
Wales. Geralds son Walter accompanied Strongbow in the invasion of Ireland, and
adopted the surname Fitzgerald. Over the following eight centuries the family became one
of the most powerful and numerous in Ireland. The head of the main branch, the Duke of
Leinster, known historically as the Earl of Kildare, is the foremost peer of Ireland. The
power of the Munster branch, the Earls of Desmond, was severely disrupted in the wars of
the sixteenth century, but gave rise to three hereditary titles, in existence since at
least 1333, which still survive: the Knight of Kerry, the Knight of Glin, and the White
Knight, now a Fitzgibbon. The surname is now common, but remains concentrated in the
ancient homeland of the Earls of Desmond, counties Cork, Limerick and Kerry.
FITZPATRICK
Despite its Norman appearance, Fitz- being Norman French for son
of, in the vast majority of cases Fitzpatrick is an anglicisation of the Irish Mac
Giolla Phadraig, meaning son of the servant of (St) Patrick. Similarly to
other surnames containing Giolla, it has also been anglicised as Kilpatrick
and, more rarely. Gilpatrick, principally in Ulster, where it is most common
in counties Fermanagh and Monaghan. The original Giolla Phadraig from whom the surname is
taken was the tenth-century ruler of the ancient kingdom of Upper Ossory, including parts
of the present counties of Laois and Kilkenny. The surname was anglicised to Fitzpatrick
in the early sixteenth century, when the chief of the family accepted the title of Lord
Baron of Upper Ossory from Henry VIII. Partly due to this, they managed to retain
possession of a large portion of their original lands right up to the nineteenth century.
Although the surname is now common and widespread throughout Ireland, the largest
concentration is still to be found in Co Laois, part of their original homeland.
FLAHERTY
In Irish Flaherty and OFlaherty are O Flaithbheartach, from flaitheamh, meaning
prince or ruler, and beartach, meaning acting or
behaving. Although the literal translation is one who behaves like a
prince, a more accurate rndition would be hospitable or
generous. The familys original territory included the whole of the west of the
modern Co Galway, including Connemara and the Aran Islands, whence the title of their
chief, Lord of Iar-Chonnacht and of Moycullen. They occupied and controlled this area from
the thirteenth century on, and survived as a power in the area down to the eighteenth
century. Although the name is now common and widespread, the largest numbers are still to
be found in Co Galway.
FLANAGAN
In Irish the surname is O Flannagain, a diminutive of flann, a personal name which was
very popular in early Ireland, and means red or ruddy. Perhaps
because of this popularity, the surname arose separately in a number of distinct
locations, including counties Roscommon, Fermanagh, Monaghan and Offaly. Of these, the
most important families, historically were those of Roscommon and Fermanagh. In the former
location they were long associated with the royal OConnors, traditionally deriving
from the same stock, and supplying stewards to the royal household. In Fermanagh they were
rulers of a large territory covering the west of Lower Lough Erne, and based at
Ballyflanagan, now the townland of Aghamore in Magheraboy parish. Today the surname is
found widely distributed Ireland, though the largest concentration remains in the areas of
their original homelands, southwest Ulster and north Connacht.
FLEMING
Fleming is an ethnic name simply meaning an inhabitant of
Flanders. It is a common surname in Britain, reflecting the importance of the wool
trade between England and the Netherlands in the Middle Ages, when many Flemish weavers
and dyers settled in England, Wales and southern Scotland. It arrived in Ireland in two
ways: following the Norman invasion, when families of the name became prominent in the
areas around Dublin; and through the Plantation of Ulster in the seventeenth century, when
many Scottish bearers of the name arrived. Today, although widespread elsewhere, the
surname is most numerous in Ulster, particularly in counties Antrim and Derry, but the
most historically important Fleming family was one of the earler southern arrivals, a
family was one of the earlier southern arrivals, a family that held large tracts of land
in counties Meath and Louth down to the seventeenth century, and acquired the title
Lords of Slane.
FLYNN
In Irish the name is O Floinn, from the adjective flann, meaning reddish or
ruddy, which was extremely popular as a personal name in early Ireland. As
might be expected, this popularity led to the surname coming into being independently in
several different parts of the country, including Clare, Cork, Kerry, Mayo, Roscommon,
Cavan, Antrim and Monaghan. The most historically important of these were the families
originating in Cork and Roscommon, with the former ruling over a territory in Muskerry
between Ballyvourney and Blarney, and the latter centred on the area of north Roscommon
around the modern town of Castlerea. In Co Antrim the Irish version of the name was O
Fhloinn, with the initial F silent, so that the anglicised version became
O Lynn, or simply Lynn. The OLynns ruled over the lands
between Lough Neagh and the Irish Sea in south Antrim. (O) Flynn is now numerous
throughout Ireland, though significant concentrations are still to be found in north
Connacht and the Cork/Waterford areas, roughly corresponding to the original homelands.
FOLEY
The original Irish for the surname is O Foghladha, from foghlaidh, meaning
pirate or marauder. It originated in Co Waterford, and from there
spread to the nearby counties of Cork and Kerry. These are the three locations in which it
is still most numerous, though it is now common throughout the southern half of the
country. The best known modern Irish bearer of the name, Donal Foley (1922-81), journalist
and humorist, came from the original homeland of Co Waterford. The current Speaker of the
US House of Representatives is Congressman Tom Foley. In places in Ulster the surname
MacSharry (Mac Searraigh) was sometimes mistranslated as Foley or
Foaley, because of a mistaken belief that it was derived from searrach,
meaning foal.
FORD
In form, this is a common English name for someone who lived near a ford. In Ireland,
where it is more often Forde, it may indicate English ancestry, since many
English of the name settled in Ireland. However, in the majority of cases it is a native
Irish name, an anglicisation of at least three Irish distinct originals: Mac Giolla na
Naomh, meaning son of the devotee of the saints, also anglicised as
Gildernew; Mac Conshnamha, from conshnamh, meaning swimming dog,
also anglicised Kinneavy; and O Fuarain, from fuar, meaning cold,
and also anglicised as Foran. Clearly, the English clerks transcribing Irish
names had scant knowledge of the language they were hearing. Mac Conshnamha originated in
north Connacht, where the sept were chiefs in the area now part of Co Leitrim from the
thirteenth century. Mac Giolla na Naomh was principally a south Connacht name, while O
Fuarain originated in Co Cork. The name is still most common in Cork, though large numbers
are also to be found in the Connacht counties of Galway and Mayo, as well as in Dublin.
FOX
Fox is a common English surname, based on a nickname, and a significant number of Irish
bearers of the name will be of English descent. In the majority of cases, however, Fox is
a simple translation of O or Mac an tSionnaigh, descendant or son of the
fox respectively. From early times the Mac an tSionnaigh were widely scattered,
allowing their name to be anglicised phonetically in an extraordinary number of ways
depending on local accents and diaects - MacAshinna, MacShanaghy, Shinny, Shannon,
Shinnock, Tinney and MacAtinna are only some of the variation which have been noted. O
Sionnaigh has a more particular history. Tadhg O Catharnaigh (Kearney) was
Chief of Teffia in Co Meath in the eleventh century and, for his wily ways, became known
as An Sionnach the fox. As his descendants prospered even further, becoming
proprietors of the entire barony of Kilcoursey in Co Offaly and acquiring the title
Barons Kilcoursey, they adopted his nickname as their own surname in place of
O Catharnaigh, and the chief of the family took on The Fox as a title. They
lost their property after the rebellion of 1641-2, but the descent from the last duly
inaugurated Chief has remained unbroken. John William Fox, The Fox, Chief of his Name,
recognised as such by the Chief Herald of Ireland, lives in Australia.
GALLAGHER
(O) Gallagher in Irish is O Gallcobhar, from gall, meaning help or
support. The original Gallcobhar from whom the family claim descent was
himself descended from Conall Gulban, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, the fifth-century
monarch who was rerutedly responsible for the kidnapping of St Patrick to Ireland, and who
was the founder of the Ui Neill dynasty. The OGallaghers claim to be the most senior
branch of the Cineal Conaill, the group of families who all descend from Conall Gulban.
Their territory was in Tir Chonaill (literally Conalls Land), in what is now
Co. Donegal. From the fourteenth to the sixteenth centuries they were hereditaty
commanders of the cavalry of the forces of the ODonnell princes of Tir Chonalill.
Today Gallagher is the singlemost numerous name in Co. Donegal, and is also very common in
the adjoining counties of Derry, Fermanagh and Tyrone. Though less common elsewhere in
Ireland, it has spread throughout the country over the centuries.
GORMAN
Gorman is a relatively common name in England, where it is derived from the Middle English
personal name Gormund, from gar, meaning spear, and mund, meaning
protection. A few Irish Gormans may be of this connection, but in the vast
majority of cases in Ireland the surname comes from the original Irish Mac Gormain, from a
diminutive of gorm, meaning blue. The original homeland was in Co. Laois, in
Slievmargy, but they were dispossessed by the Prestons, a Norman family, and removed to
counties Clare and Monaghan. The Clare branch became will known in later years for the
extent of their wealth and hospitality, and for their patronage of poetry. From Clare they
spread also into the adjoining county of Tipperary. When the native Irish began to resume
the old O and , Mac prefixes to their names in the nineteenth century, the Clare family
mistakenly became OGorman. probably following the error of the then best
known bearer of the surname, Chevalier Thomas OGorman (1725-1808), an Irish exile in
France. In Tipperary, the name has generally remained Gorman, while in
Monaghan the original Mac Gorman still exists, along with the other two versions.
GRAHAM
Graham is a Scottish surname, deriving from the placename Grantham, also known as Graham,
in modern Lincolnshire in England. It was taken to Scotland in the twelfth century by
William de Graham, a Norman baron who held the manor of Grantham, and from whom virtually
all modern bearers of the name are descended. In Ireland it is overwhelmingly concentrated
in Ulster, in particular counties Down and Fermanagh, as well as Armagh, Monaghan and
Tyrone. The Irish Grahams are mostly descended from a branch of the family which migrated
from Midlothian to the Scottish borders in the Middle Ages and became, with the
Armstrongs, the most powerful of the outlaw riding clans. When the power of
these clans was savagely broken by James 1, many migrated to the north of Ireland,
settling especially in Co Fermanagh. Unlike the other clans, from that base the Grahams
spread widely through the surrounding counties.
GREENE
Greene is an extremely common English surname, generally referred to someone who lived
near a village green. Many Irish bearers of the name, particularly in Ulster, are probably
of the connection. However, Green(e) was also used as the anglicised version of a wide
variety of Irish names containing uaithne, green, or glas,
grey-green. O hUaithnigh, anglicised as both Green and the
phonetic Hooney, arose in in Co. Cork. On Co.Clare the original, from the same
Irish stem, was OhUaithnigh, more rarely anglicised as Honeen and
Huneen. In Ulster, Mac Glaisin, McGlashan, and Mac Giolla Ghlais,
McAlesher, relatively commin in counties Antrim and Derry, also became Green.
Further O Griana, Mac Griana, found in northwest Ulster, and O Grianain, from counties
Cavan and Sligo, were also phonetically rendered as Green, although the root of the names
is the Irish grian, meaning sun.
GRIFFIN
While the name is English in appearance, in the great majority of cases Irish Griffins are
descended from the O Griobhtha. Both the English and Irish versions ultimately have the
same source, the name of the legendary monster, the gryphon, used as a nickname for
someone fierce or dangerous. The name arose separately in at least two areas: in Co Kerry,
centred on Ballygriffin in Glanarought barony, and in Co. Clare, where the seat was at
Ballygriffy, near Ennis. From these two starting points the families spread and
intermingled, and today Griffin is among the 100 most common Irish surnames, found
principally in the original homelands of Clare and Kerry, as well as in the adjoining
counties of Cork and Limerick.