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Irish America

Roots

Roots: The O’Malley Clan

By Liam Murphy, Editorial Assistant
August / September 2007

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The ancient O’Maille or O’Malley name is said to be derived from the Gaelic words “maille” meaning gentle or smooth, and “maglios” meaning chieftain, which is fitting as the O’Malleys were once the chieftains of the baronies of Murrisk and Burrishoole in County Mayo. On today’s political scene, Martin O’Malley (D.), subject of our cover story, served as the hugely popular Mayor … [Read more...] about Roots: The O’Malley Clan

Roots: O’Brien

By Liam Moriarty, Contributor
February / March 2007

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The O’Briens are an illustrious and prominent clan that has shaped the history of Ireland. The name, also spelt O’Bryan or O’Brian, means “of Brian” indicating descendance from Brian Borumha mac Cennetig, or Brian Boru, the celebrated High King of Ireland. (The O’Briens also claim the mythological King Oilill Ollum to be their ancestor through the Dal gCais). Brian Boru … [Read more...] about Roots: O’Brien

Roots: Quinn

By Liam Moriarty, Contributor
December / January 2007

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The family name Quinn or Quin is an anglicized form of “O Cuinn,” meaning “of Conn.” O’Cuinnde notes lineage from the legendary High King of Ireland, Conn of the Hundred Battles. Conn is derived from the Irish word, ceann (head) signifying a person of intellectual ability. Traditionally, Catholic families of the O Cuinn family spell their anglicized name Quinn with two “n”s … [Read more...] about Roots: Quinn

Roots: O’Connor

By Liam Moriarty, Contributor
October / November 2006

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The O’Connor name, with its varied spellings, doesn’t spring from a common source. The name arose in five areas of Ireland: Connacht, Kerry, Derry, Offaly, and Clare and split into six distinct septs, five of which are still in existence. The most prominent sept is that of the Connacht O’Connors who gave us the last two High-Kings of Ireland: Turlough O’Connor (1088-1156) and … [Read more...] about Roots: O’Connor

Roots: The McCarthy Clan

By Liam Moriarty, Contributor
April / May 2006 Originally published in the

March/April 1997 Issue of Irish America

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The McCarthy clan traces its ancestry through an illustrious line of individuals and events reaching far back into ancient Celtic history and myth. The McCarthys claim descendants from the Eoghanachta, the rulers of the fifth province of Ireland, or Munster. The Eoghanachta were a people believed to have descended from Heber, the son of the mythical King Milesius of Spain. It … [Read more...] about Roots: The McCarthy Clan