The O'Neill family traces its history back to 360 A.D. to the legendary warrior king of Ireland, Niall Noigiallach (Niall of the Nine Hostages), who is said to have been responsible for bringing St. Patrick to Ireland. The Ui Neill dynasty split into two septs, the Northern Ui Neill and the Southern Ui Neill, around 400 A.D. The name is derived from two separate Gaelic words, … [Read more...] about The Proud History of the O’Neill Clan
Roots
Roots: Feeney
The surname Feeney is one of the most common names in Counties Sligo and Mayo. (My own grandfather Patrick Feeney emigrated from Co. Sligo in the 1920s). Taken from the original Gaelic form, O Fiannaidhe, meaning `soldier,' the clan originated from the population group Ui Fiachrac, and it has been established that this sect was located in the Connaught province. Other Feeney … [Read more...] about Roots: Feeney
Roots: O’Flaherty
O'Flaherty (also Flaherty) ancestors have been documented since the time of Christ. One of the first Irish historians, Roderick O'Flaherty, recorded their history in Ogyia, published in London in 1685, in which he said they originated from Scythia and came to Ireland with a traveler called Milesius. Descendants of Milesius founded the tribe Ui Briuin who were thought to witness … [Read more...] about Roots: O’Flaherty
Roots: O’Muimhneachain, Moynihan, Moynahan, Minihan
O'Muimhneachain is the old Irish form of the name Moynihan. The name originally came from the province of Munster and actually means "Munster man." Today different branches of the clan are still to be found in Munster, mainly in West Cork and Kerry, where the name is among the most popular in the county, and has been that way since the 17(th) century. The first record of a … [Read more...] about Roots: O’Muimhneachain, Moynihan, Moynahan, Minihan
Roots: The Quinn Clan – Descendants of Conn
The surname Quinn is derived from the Irish word O'Cuinn meaning "descending from Conn." Conn comes from the Irish word ceann, meaning "head," and denotes a person of high intelligence. Since Conn was a common name, there are five separate septs of this family. They came from different parts of counties Tyrone, Longford, Clare, and Antrim. Niall O'Cuinn was one of those killed … [Read more...] about Roots: The Quinn Clan – Descendants of Conn