Clans

Kermode, Mac Dermot, Mac Dermott, Mac Diarmada, Mc Dermot.     Mac Diarmada comes from the personal name “Diarmuid”. The family is descended from Maolruanaidh Mór, brother of the King of Connacht. Their...

Mac Domhnaill comes from the personal name Domhnall, made up of two words meaning ‘world’ and ‘strong’. It is very common in the northern province of Ulster, and also in the area which was the Kingdom of Thomond around counties...

Mullen, Mullane, Mullan, Mullin, Mullins, Ó Maolláin.   The name Mullen, and its variations, can have a number of different origins. It may be the Anglicisation of Ó Maoláin, which comes from...

The O’ Connor clan has left a lasting influence on Irish history, going all the way back to the second century. The name is derived from a tenth century King of Connacht, Conchobhair, meaning ‘hero’ or ‘champion’. The last...

The Donovans are descended from the sept of Ó Donnabháin who were from County Limerick in the south west of Ireland. The name comes from the Gaelic Ó Donndubháin meaning ‘descendant of the dark brown-haired one’...

Power is originally a Norman name. The first settlers in Ireland were located in Co. Waterford in the southern province of Munster, where they owned large estates. The name they were originally known by, le Poer, actually means ‘poor’,...

Ó Riagáin comes from the Gaelic word “ríodhgach”, possibly meaning ‘impulsive’ or ‘angry’. The name originated in at least three distinct areas of the country ; Meath / Dublin, where they were one...

Wards in Ireland can be of English or Gaelic origin. The English version of the name alludes to the occupation of ‘weard’ or guardsman, and was brought here by English settlers. In Gaelic the name means ‘son of the poet / bard’...