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Irish surnames derive from a medley of origins, representing Gaelic, Nordic, Anglo-Norman, Welsh, Scots and English strains which have intermingled for over fifteen hundred years. Historically, Ireland was one of the first countries in Europe to re-establish surnames after the disintegration of the Roman Empire.
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The oldest names are Gaelic, usually preceeded by the famous`O`meaning `Grandson of` and `Mac` meaning `son of`. Thus we find, amongst others;
O`Neill, O`Brien, O`Connor, O`Donnell, O`Grady, and McCarthy, McGuiness, and Macmurrough. Many of these names are descriptive, either of physical appearance or character.E.G. Reilly (brave), Quinn( intelligent), Kennedy (helmeted), Coneely (courageous), Dempsey (proud), Sullivan (black-eyed)and O`Toole (mighty-people).
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The anglo-Saxon invasions in the twelfth century injected a new strain which, added to the earlier Viking incursions, complicated the picture still further. Interestingly, The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs states that over 50% of the Irish population belongs to blood group`O`, directly linking that population to Nordic origins.
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Saint Patrick
Featured on the map of Ireland.
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Dunluce Castle
Featured on the map of Ireland.
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Many of these Norman names were actually referring to place names in Northern France or in Wales (Walsh) that the invaders came from. For example Cusack (Cussac) Lyons (Lyons) De Lacey (Lacey) Joyce (Jose) and French.
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Other names refer to original occupations: Falconer, Smith, Cooke, Taylor, Mason, Archer and Harper. Further complications arose when the old Gaelic names were transposed into English, thus Carey, derived from the Gaelic O`Ciardha, became Carew or even Carr.
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To buy the Ireland map please go to the shopping page.
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Does Your Name Appear On This Map?
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I ordered a map from you for my husband`s birthday and he was enchanted with it. Mrs. R Elliott. Wa. U.S.A. |
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