Family Crest Series

Calling all by the name Byrne!

Check out our brand new Family Crest series where we'll be bringing you facts on popular family crests.
What other crests and surnames would you like to know about?

Courtesy of SurnameCrest.com

Next up in our Family Crest series is the surname Doyle.
The name is thought to be derived from the Irish Ó'Dubhghaill or "dubh ghall", which means "dark stranger or foreigner", and main settlements for the original Doyles are around Dublin, Wicklow, Arklow, Wexford, Waterford.

This name often crops up if you're from the north of the island.
Campbell has both Scottish and Irish in origins, with many accumulating feudal titles, such as Knights, Earls, and Lords. Your Campbell ancestors were also sea voyagers, and were noted for being ready to serve their country…

Are you a Fitzgerald?
Of Anglo-Norman origin, the name means 'son of Gerald'. Fitzgeralds in Ireland are said to be descendants of the Earl of Pembroke. The name was first seen in Munster around 1172. Does anyone out there have ties to this noble dynasty?

After the Fitzgerald we go to the Fitzsimons clan. Another surname of Anglo-Norman origin, it was introduced to Ireland during the Anglo-Norman invasion of the 12th century. Passed down through the years, this surname has quite a few variants and though it has spread all over the island, it remains most common in counties Dublin and Meath.

Next up in our family crest series, we have the Dohertys! Most common in the province of Ulster, the Dohertys (derived from O’Dochartaigh) originated in Donegal, and were of the same stock as the famous O'Donnells of Tyrconnell. The Dohertys remained powerful chiefs in Donegal for 500 years until they were defeated in a poorly-timed rebellion, with many fleeing to Scotland, the Isle of Man and England.

Do you have one of the most common surnames in Ireland?
Kelly is derived from ‘O’Ceallaigh’ meaning either ‘bright-headed’ or ‘troublesome’ – you decide! The Kellys were located in the ancient territory of Galway/Roscommon (known as O’Kelly’s Country), Meath, Wicklow, Antrim and Sligo.

PS: Before you ask, Murphy is the most common!

We have another surname from the North!
Hughes is an anglicization of the ancient Celt name ÓhAodha, meaning 'fire'. A popular surname in Ulster and Northern Ireland, as well as in Cork, Clare, Wexford, and Galway, this surname has a few variations, including Hayes, McHugh, MacHugh, and Hews.

Are you a Kennedy?
This popular surname originated in County Clare in the 11th century, deriving from the O’Cinneide clan that was based there. The original Cinnéide, from whom this clan claimed descent, was a nephew of Brían Ború, High King of Ireland. His descendants were a very powerful family, and from them, the surname multiplied and spread all over the island! However, the name is most popular in County Tipperary, Clare, and Leitrim.

The name Lynch is believed to be of dual origin: the first Lynch is an anglicized version of the name O’Loinsigh, a Gaelic clan from Connacht, which comes from ‘loinseach’ meaning seaman or mariner.
The second Lynch surname came from descendants of the de Lench family from Norway, who came to Ireland with the Earl of Pembroke, who also anglicized their name. They began in Meath and then traveled west, where they quickly became one of the most influential tribes of Galway.