Clan Sweaters

Doolan, Dowlan, Dowlin, Dowling, O’ Dolan, O’ Dowlane, Ó Dubhláin.   The name Dolan is first found in Leinster where they are believed to be descended from Eochaidh, King of Leinster, and...

Ó Donnnghaile comes from the personal name Donnáil, which is composed of the words “donn” meaning ‘brown’, and “gal” meaning ‘bravery’. The Donnellys are descended from Donnáil O’...

Dowell, Doyelle, Doyley, McDowell, Ó Dubhghaill.   The Doyles are of Norse origins, and this fact is backed up by the fact that the name is most common in the south east of the country in counties Wicklow, Wexford and...

Doohey, Dowey, Dowie, Duffey, Duffie, Duhig, O’ Duffy, Ó Dubhthaigh   The name Duffy is an Anglicisation of the Irish Ó Dubhthaigh, from the Gaelic “Dubhthach” meaning ‘the dark one’. There were...

Don, Donn, Donne, Dunn, O’ Doyne, Ó Duinn.   Dunne is a very numerous name and comes from the Gaelic “Donn” meaning ‘brown’. The name was used to describe somebody of swarthy complexion...

Keegan, Mac Aodhagáin, Mac Egan.   This name originated in the Uí Máine sept territory of Roscommon and east Galway, where the Mac Aodhagáin were hereditary lawyers and judges to the ruling families. Mac...

Farrely, Frawley, O’ Farrell, O’ Farrely, O’ Ferrall, Ó Fearghaíl.   The modern Farrells, and variations on the name, are descended from the sept of Ó Fearghaíl which was...

Mac Gearailt.   The Fitzgerald clan was at one time one of the most powerful clans in Ireland, and arrived with the Anglo Norman conquest in the 12th century. The name means ‘son of,’ “Fitz”, Gerald. The family had two main...

Gilpatrick, Kilpatrick, Mac Giolla, Phádraig.   Fitzpatrick is an Anglicisation of the Gaelic name Mac Giolla Phádraig, and is not Norman despite the ‘Fitz’ commonly seen in other Norman names. The Gaelic name...

Flanaghan, Flannigan, O’ Flanagan, Ó Flannagáin.   The name Ó Flannagáin comes from the Gaelic word “Flann”, a personal name which means red or ruddy. There were several different septs...

This name means inhabitant of Flanders, many of whom emigrated from Flanders to Britain, settling on the Scottish borders, around the year 1200 . The Irish Flemings however were in Ireland approximately four centuries before this. The name is scattered...

Flinn, O’ Flinn, O’ Floin, O’ Flynn, Ó Floinn.   The Flynn name comes from the formerly popular Irish personal name of ‘Flann’ meaning red or ruddy. The popularity of this name dictated that...

Mac Sharry, O’ Foley, Ó Foghladha.   The name Foley comes from the Gaelic “foghlaidh” which means ‘pirate’ or ‘marauder’. The name’s original stronghold was Co. Waterford in the...

Gallagher, Gallaher, O’Gallagher, O’Gallaher, Ó Gallchobhair.   The meaning of the name Ó Gallchobhair comes from the Gaelic “Gall”, meaning ‘foreigner’, and...

Garman, Gorman, Mac Gorman, Ó Gormáin.     Most of the Irish Gormans today are descended from the Mac Gormáin sept, whose territory was Slivemargy in Co. Laois in the midlands.  The name is the...

Grifin, O’ Griffin, Ó Gríofa.   The name comes from the legendary monster ‘the gryphon’, and was often used to describe someone fierce or dangerous. The name originated in two distinct areas in Ireland...