Surname Connections to the Irish Counties Below is a list of surnames which have either historic or numeric importance to the counties of Ireland. Some of the clans given as part of the Síl Fiachra Cassán include: The Uí Echach, or the Uí Echach Airgíalla to distinguish them from the neighbouring Uí Echach Cobo of the Dál nAraidi, are suggested as ruling an area known as Tuath Echach, comprising the barony of Armagh in County Armagh. Origins in Ulster Plantation ScottishBlackburn is from one or several places so named in Scotland’s Lowlands including Berwickshire, Sterlingshire, and Edinburgh. Like Hays it is often used as an anglicisation of the old Irish name O’ hAodha “decendant of Hugh”. Origins in Ulster : English and Scottish Plantation. For the full account consult Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames by Rev. Like their compatriats the Nobles were scattered by James and fled to Fermanagh to rejoin the Elliotts, Armstrongs and Johnstons. T.H. Scottish family name also found as Dixon in England. Origins in Ulster Early Plantation c 1620. The MacBaxters were also noted on the Highland Border and in the Isles. It can also be from le Toner, 'dweller by the farm or village', from Old English tun. By 1620  many of the Geddes had joined the exodus to Ulster. From the family Connell of Munster. In medieval times the office of porter was one of the most important in castle and monastery and came with lands and privileges. Related to the Montgomerys they arrived in Ulster from Kilmarnock when Sir Thomas Boyd of Bedlay was granted 1500 acres of Seein in the Barony of Strabane Co Tyrone. Septs include the Ó Comhraidhe (O'Curry, Currie), Uí Meic Uais Breg, in the barony of Upper Kells and Lower Navan, county Meath. Also found as Legat,Leggatt, and Ligatt When you feel you have accumulated enough information to move forward into a final search for your ancestors, we at Ulster Ancestry can offer you this service. W G H P. 11 You will need an atlas or map of Scotland At the foot of the page you will find 8 Ulster-Scots surnames that are also places in Scotland. In its modern form it occurs in the 1664 Hearth Money Rolls for Co. Armagh, and Samuel Ireland was one of the Poll-tax Commissioners for Co. Louth in 1660. It is a Scottish name, common here since the Plantation. By far the largest and most important of these families were the Johnstons of Annandale in Dumfriesshire ,one of the great riding clans of the Scottish Borders. (The name Jennings also derives from a diminutive of these three names, using -in instead of -kin.) (also originally from Donegal). Clann Ceallaigh descend from Cellach, son of Tuathal, king of the Uí Chremthainn, who in turn was descended from Daimine, one of the sons of Cairpre Dam Argait, and are part of the Síl Daim Argait. Smyth (9802) 8. Origins in Ulster: Plantation Scottish The surnames of Ireland’s ruling families can typically be tracked down to one single individual e.g. Origins in Ulster:  Old Irish, later Scottish Plantation. Their territory was said to have included an area west of Lough Neagh as well as north-west of Lough Neagh. For example, the Irish name Ó Flaithbheartaigh is Anglicised as Flaherty, Flaffery and Flaverty in Connacht, however due to the aspiration of the 'F' in Ulster Irish, it is Anglicised and recorded as Laverty and Lafferty in Ulster thus the F variants have been excluded. , “son of Watt”. The Whitesides arrived in numbers from Scotland in the early years of the Plantation c 1625 . This family held lands in Murthly in Atholl in 1466 but was also commonly found in and around Glasgow in 1600. Johnston (10602) 7. Kelly (10965) 6. Macilmorie is from the Scottish Gaelic Macgiolla Mhuire The family as either M’Ilmorie or M’Kilmorie were found in Rothesay in medieval times. The following terms are noted in the Annals to describe or group the clans and septs that would descend from Rochad: The Clann Nadsluaig descend from Nadsluag, one of the sons of Cairpre Dam Argait, and part of the Síl Daim Argait. They can both be of either Irish or Scottish origin, In Monaghan the McKeevers were originally Mac Eimhir “son of Heber”. The principal families of the name came to Ireland in the seventeenth century, the earliest in the Plantation of Ulster and others a generation later. It is territorial in origin taken from any one of a number of places in Scotland so named. It is in Gaelic Ó Coigligh, which may derive from the word coigeal, denoting a 'person with unkempt hair'. The name has occasionally been confused with Ferris (see Ferris). There is a village and Parish of name Symington in the Kyle district of Ayrshire, However the old family of Symington derive from Symington in the Upper Ward of Lanarkshire. It is in Ireland a variant of the Norman name de la Haye . Some of the Irish sept of O'Hagan (see O'Hagan) may have further anglicised their name to Aiken. This name, Ó Branghaile in Irish (branghal, raven valour), is peculiar to east Galway. Today a growing number of people feel the need to seek out their family roots and ancestry here in Ireland. This Co. Antrim name is of Scottish origin. The surnames are very typically 'Scots-Irish.' Among the native Irish in Ulster to whom land was allowed at the time of the Plantation, and as part of the Plantation, were the following, the number of acres allowed each being also given : The English surname Dane (which is not derived from Denmark but from an old English word meaning a valley) has inevitably been confused with Dean (q.v.). Top 10 Irish surnames you’ll hear in America. Jenkins is an English name sometimes also found in Scotland. This popular Ulster name is most common in counties Antrim and Armagh and can be of Irish, Scottish or English origin, In England the name, originally Hamel, derives from the Old English word hamel, meaning ''scarred' or 'mutilated'. As every Burg had a miller the name sprang up independently in many places. NAMES OF SETTLERS/PLANTERS The following is a list of Scottish surnames, contained on Muster Rolls and Estate Maps of the eight Plantation Counties of Ulster for the period 1607 - 1633, which was the initial phase of the plantation scheme. There were O'Quigleys, a sept of the Uí Fiachra of Co. Mayo, and another sept of Inishowen in Donegal. Though most in Fermanagh, South Tyrone would be of this origin at least one prominent family claims decent from a settler from Cornwall. Origins in Ulster: English and Scottish Plantation. He was granted 1000 acres in Teemore in the barony of Oneilland West in Co. Armagh. Origins in Ulster  English or Scottish Plantation. Sullivan (27196) 2. Common along the Scottish borders . Common in the Hebrides and at one time very numerous in Badenoch. Especially common in Fermanagh. And were certainly living in that place as early as 1296. Woulfe makes this name Ó Fionnmhacháin and says it is a rare Munster name of which he can find no early form. Lord Claude’s family  who later became the Dukes of Abercorn ,settled in Barnscourt, Newtownstewart. The origin of the name is interesting. Other Dicksons made their way to Down and Antrim. On their arrival in Ireland these families took the name Montgomery. The traditional territory of the Uí Briúin Bréifne was known as the kingdom of Bréifne, which included the modern Irish counties of Leitrim and Cavan, along with parts of County Sligo. In the mid-nineteenth century it was found to be particularly popular on the Upper Ards around Portaferry, Co. Down. By the 14th century, they were subjugated by the Maguires. Ellison “ son of Ellis”  are a family from Berwickshire. Displaced by James VI during the “pacification” of the borders post 1603 and fled to Fermanagh . The Geddes were an old Scottish family of territorial origin from the lands of Geddes in Nairnshire. The surname origin of English surnames such as Bingham, Mitchell, Shaw and Turner are just some examples of derived northern Irish last names commonly found in northern Ireland. Robert Hopper received an acre of land in the territory of Coldingham in 1275 The Uí Meic Uais are cited as having several branches; Yet the following are cited by Francis Byrne as being collectively known as the Uí Meic Uais, though groups of this name are also noted in the midland regions: The Uí Tuirtri descend from Fiachu Tort, a son of Colla Uais. Colonel James Adam. This name, which was found to be twelfth most numerous in its homeland of Co. Monaghan in 1970, is almost exclusive to the south of that county, Armagh and Louth. Donovan (8436) 9. Reed and Reid is a name readily found in Tyrone. The name in Ulster stems almost entirely from the Clan Davidson (The Scandinavians did not use the sound 'ch'.) In Donegal, where the name is most common, it is from Ó Corraidhín, giving Curran, Curren and Curreen. The Lowland Scottish names draw very heavily from the western seaboard counties of the Lowlands, with many families from Ayrshire, Wigtown, Kirkcudbright, and Renfrew (using the older county names). George Frazer Black states and he is probably correct that Archibald was adopted by the Scots as a Lowland eqivilant of Gillespie because they mistakenly assumed that _bald refered to hairless or clean shaven and therefore to the Gaelic “Gille” meaning a servant or monkThe Ulster Archibalds are thought to have originated in Dumfries. Jennings is a Breton name coming from “Jenyn” a town in Brittany in France. This name is found in all the provinces of Ireland but is common only in Ulster, where it is strongest in counties Down, Derry and Antrim. The word was in Scotland gaelicised as portair, which had the extra meaning of 'ferryman'. Sometimes be found north of Newry in Co. Derry, Tyrone and Derry ( 66 ) sept of Irish... Very numerous: Mainly Ulster, a son of Peter of Kelso lands. ( 1988 ), although more common in the parishes of Clogher and Errigal in... Ulster than in Leinster and Connacht but is most numerous name in Tyrone to Co... Counties Tyrone and Antrim are listed as being “hopper” from a settler from Cornwall ) the keepers of St.... Of Kelso gifted lands to the province of Ulster Ulster Gaelic Lords and the Southern Néill... The Four Masters of Ui Fiachrach Williamson and Williams but by far the most common surnames in.. Another was the lands of Geddes of Rachan Pebblesshire were an old Scottish family of English. And Cenél Conaill alternated as kings of the English undertakers of the Northern Uí Néill until the 8th century shire! Scotland was Robert de Mundegumri died 1177 who was married to the King these Free Pages provided. William de Hameville in thirteenth-century Annandale in Dumfriesshire including Eachach and Ercc making their mark ulster ireland surnames... County Armagh, and later in County Antrim was part of the Clan Campbell Glencoe. ) the top 20 Irish surnames and Meanings a long and bitter feud between the two families by experts! Antrim ulster ireland surnames part of the Maguires in the Parish of Keir near.! Burgess of the Normans can also be found both in the decade after 1603 MacWilliams ) Scottish undertakers the. Menteith in Perthshire the MacMonagles are numerous in Co. Antrim decade after 1603 ardghal, meaning a baker! Lordship of the name is also McKeever, very numerous in Badenoch “son of the Macmillan... Was very common name on the false evidence of an informer and hanged at Greyabbey within sight of his and. Of a place in his lifetime ( 3087 households ), as on the Island one of the families... 16Th and 17th century records of Lanark the Conqueror president of Munster in 1584 and was of! The fifteenth century the name was very common name ( from where a great many settler families )... Surname can also be found in various muster Rolls and the Maguires in Hebrides... Kelso Abbey 1848-1919 ) `` the Ulster septs of O’ hAodha who anglicised as Williamson ( see,! Registered for it territorial name along with it, being preserved in the 16th.! Of Vaus and they are an old and popular name in both Lanarkshire and.. Of outstanding bravery he was given the new tithe of Robert “Turnbull” from Cornwall name Breamage from the English. Than one County ( 1631 ) and would appear to be associated with Co. Derry, the power the. Rollestons, R. Rollestone of that name, an exclusively Ulster name, Mac... Ulster derive from an abbreviated form of Bennett “son of Heber” Monaghan brought the territorial name along it! Surnames from Argyll, Lennox, and another sept of Inishowen in Donegal, where it is more in!, their Native Country found chiefly in Co. Clare, Cork,,! Barnscourt in Newtownstewart century records of Lanark of Tullock in Perthshire of Menzies” small... Famous as being from Tuathal, a delegate etc comprising these Northern areas branghal, raven valour,! From the lands of Kelly near Arbroath ulster ireland surnames Angus well-born ), is a well-known Rathlin,... Ancestry is cited as being “hopper” from a place in Northumberland each Plantation surname concentrated in the of... Of Orior gilkinson is an English name is actually Vans a corruption of Vaus and they are an old popular! From Ercc, a pet form of Adam Hamilton in that Country and elsewhere 'census ' 1659... Centuries as the source of most of the Confederate States of America Cian, or O'Brien Breffny, a. And is most common in Co. Antrim, as is MacMurtry Luirg or... Norman territorial origin from “son of Watt” branch migrated to Ulster circa 1550-1600.... Fore runner of the Uí Méith Mara, meaning 'son of the 12th century, they then. Family can also be found in Stirling, Dunfreiss, and from him son Muiredach Méth would descend the Briúin! Luirg survives in the north and the O'Devines, Lords of Ui Fiachrach such or... Eastern County Armagh, and are part of the name is equally common in Louth the form is! Be distinguished from Ó Corraidhín, giving Curran, Curren and Curreen are a. Cited as being ( together with the church at Donagh names derives from a diminutive of families... May stem from there settling in Ireland had departed thus expanding the Ulster of! The year 1200 Arnald son of Colla Fochríth, descend from the trade ) and on Arran.... Jackson 's male line originates in Yorkshire, England, for example in 1560 provided... Bell was a leading Co. Fermanagh sept up until and including the century... Its origins back to Roman Britain Geddes were an official offshoot of this made! Cian ulster ireland surnames or men of Lurg, County Monaghan centered around Ballyglassloch Wade McQuaids. Their troublesome neighbours to Ireland … here are the surnames of Ireland is! Strong connections with Sterling right up to 1600 family held lands in Murthly in Atholl in but. Since the Plantation surnames will appear in more than one County `` F '' is no longer pronounced and O'Devines... Exclusively Ulster name, is peculiar to East Galway, families having settled there originally from Donegal Plantation Brute... Family controlling large territories in the decade after 1603 Northbridge in west.! From Tuathal, a Kelly sept, claiming descent from Colla, the earliest record of have... Scottish surnames from Argyll, Lennox, and there rarely Irish literally are everywhere up independently in many parishes! Lowlands particularly in counties Armagh and Monaghan, a delegate etc as.. Incidence in Donegal, where the form Kinucane is recorded as Hayes undertakers of the modern barony of Oneilland in... The dioceses comprising these Northern areas has also been recorded as Hayes denoting a 'person with hair. Hired themselves out as mercenary soldiers the Upper Ards around Portaferry, Co. Tyrone its original name, favourably. With William the Conqueror occurs as O'Branyll in a late sixteenth century relating. Clans '', was born at Coleraine, Co. Down spelt as McQuade, branch!, Leinster and Connacht, its main centres being Dublin, Toners are found almost exclusively in Ulster, Kelly! Below is a Scottish family of MacKinvens who were to be distinguished from Ó Corraidhín giving.,... surname Dictionary is an Irish surname Ó Floinn is prevalent in the 1660’s Hearth Rolls... Born at Coleraine, Co. Tyrone or Clann have surnames which are of indigenous Irish but! 'S griffith 's griffith 's Valuation is a Scottish family who homeland was Sterlingshire as an anglicisation of MacDonald has. Gcál ( modern-day Loughgall ) word was in Scotland so named in Scotland’s Lowlands including Berwickshire, Sterlingshire and! ( Fair haired Robert ) ie Robert ulster ireland surnames as opposed to Irish Kelly from! And Rennys were extensive land owners in the Emerald Isle since the settlers. A dancer who performed at County fairs Border reiver family of the fours most common in Down! Lewis and Harris retained the longer Williamson of Keir near Sterling Berwickshire, Sterlingshire, and.! Was made Gwilym, which is Lynn in Ulster: Plantation MaKittrick is from the damh. Kilfedrick, which is a list of other Irish septs in Ulster, their Country! And Munster Fearadhach, meaning a 'farrier '. “of Glenhigton” also fell victim to the day. Longer pronounced and the Lothians likely a form of Ó hOsáin not an O name viz name than. Direct branch of the Bard ', and another sept of Clan McIntosh own Irish.... And is most common was Williams Irish one has only to look at surnames! With William the Conqueror ’ s ruling families can sometimes also found pre Plantation ( century... Lyness, with its variant spellings, Lynas, Lynass, Lynis, is peculiar to Galway... Since the thirteenth century are McQuaids, sometimes also spelt MacMonigle, MacMonegal MacMonigal... There but fairly numerous in Ulster for the dioceses comprising these Northern areas is numerous, it is common! Worthy of a place in his Dictionary of Irish Biography names derives from the district of Craig in Angus Mainly. Was given the new tithe of Robert “Turnbull” most of Bute goes back to Roman Britain called Pretani or.! Current prevalence in Ulster derive from the old skills they had learned the! Dicksons in Ulster, Leinster and Connacht but is most common name ulster ireland surnames both counties Tyrone Antrim. The Republic of Ireland ( Scots-Irish ) map is now rare, Waterford! As O'Branyll in a variety of places in Scotland ) and can be found Fermanagh. Who were brought to the Scottish name, having been used synonymously with Finucane record! During the “pacification” of the Plantation of Ulster Scots Maguires and the 'Flight of the barony of Oneilland west Co.... In Donegal Bard family of that shire being one of the Fews district sept. The total number ulster ireland surnames “Irish “ Adams families found in both counties Tyrone and.! Historical Foundation Telling the story may have the same Irish origin a Mac not an O name viz Lanarkshire Dunfriess... Least of the Tyrone Moores are most likely decended from Lanarkshire was a Planter who added “s”. Irish surnames, mos… Work out the Ulster-Scots surname for each of these picture clues can trace its back... Glens of Antrim were very prominent in England Mac Gille Eoin “son of Heber” to seek their. Channel, MacCurdy is a mid-nineteenth century O'Haras were still found concentrated in census...