Family Crest Series

Deriving from the Irish ‘O’Suileabhainn’, the name is believed to mean ‘hawk-eyed’ or ‘dark-eyed’ one. Descended from the mythical Eoghan, the O’Sullivans were part of the Eoghanacht group. First found in Cahir, County Tipperary (where some were lords) in the 13th century, the O’Sullivans became numerous and powerful, splitting into two groups: the O’Sullivan Mór based in Kenmare, County Kerry, and the O’Sullivan Beare, based in Beara, County Cork. The name remains prevalent in these two counties to this day!

The name comes from the old Irish surname O’Gallchobhair, meaning ‘foreign help’ or ‘lover of foreigners’. The main clan has been in Donegal since the 4th century and the original O’Gallchobhair from whom they claim descent was descended from Conall Gulban, son of the famous Niall of the Nine Hostages, 4th century High King of Ireland. The clan’s territory was Tír Chonaill (meaning 'Conall’s Land’) in Donegal. The majority of descendants can still be found in County Donegal, where the name holds number one position of surnames in the county but is also popular now in nearby Fermanagh and Tyrone.

Ryan is one of the top ten surnames by the population in Ireland. While disputed by historians, its possible meanings are ‘little king’, ‘distinguished one’, or simply ‘tough’.The name is most likely tied to a King or Chief of Idrone around the period 900AD named Rian or Rien. Generally, that was the period when Irish people began taking surnames, so it’s likely the chief of that time’s descendants would have been called ‘descendents of Rian’.The surname Ryan has deep ties to a few counties around the country. The main branches are the O’Ryans of Idrone in Carlow, and the O’Mulryans of Owney and Owneybeg in Tipperary and Limerick. The O’Ryans were self-styled princes of Idrone – a barony in Carlow/Kilkenny – who would have answered to the then King of Leinster. If you have the surname Ryan, it’s most likely that you are descended from the O’Mulryans of Owney, as they are the most populous branch of what became the surname Ryan.

Sweeney is an anglicised version of Mac Suibhne, which means ‘pleasant’. The name is originally linked to a Scottish chief of the same name, whose clan was mainly of Irish and Viking descent.

Due to their fame as warriors, they were in great demand as mercenaries. Mac Suibhne’s great-great-grandson settled in the Fanad district of County Donegal in the 14th century, and his clan then split into different groups – Mac Suibhne Fanad, Mac Suibhne na D’Tuadh, and Mac Suibhne Banagh. The Mac Suibhne Fanad’s seat was in Rathmullan, which they held for 400 years. Members of both clans also settled in Cork, where there is still a strong contingent of Sweeneys to this day.

Elodie (or any other helpful Admin!) you asked about additional names to look up a Family Crest for ...
Hanan
Co. Waterford
early 1800s

Your assistance is greatly appreciated!

Hi Robert,

We have added Hanan to our list so keep an eye here! ☺️

It seems like you have already conducted some research on your ancestors, do not hesitate to ask for help if you ever need any.

Murray is of both Scottish and Irish origin.
The Scottish version originates from a region called Moray, which means “settlement by the sea.”The Irish variant of Murray descends from the native Gaelic O’Muireadhaigh, meaning descendent of Muireadhach, or Mac Giolla Mhiure, which means descendent of the Virgin Mary. Some Murrays have ties to the Scottish Murrays, especially in Northern Ireland. The Irish Murrays have connections across the island, mainly the ancient Siol Muirdhaighs based in Roscommon as well as places like Cloonmurray and Kilmurray. There was also a clan noted in the barony of Cabery in Cork, known as MacMuireachaidh. The Murray surname also has ties to Counties Leitrim, Down, and Wicklow.

Are there any O’Carrolls here?
The surname is an Anglicised version of the Gaelic “O’Cearbhaill”, which means a “warlike champion”, or “valorous in battle”.

The most famous of the O’Cearbhaill families were based in Ely O’Carroll, located in County Offaly and North Tipperary, and the O’Carroll, Princes of Oriel, based in Louth and Monaghan.

The lords of Ely O’Carroll had a proud lineage. The surname is derived from Cearball, King of Ely who, along with Brian Boru, was one of the leaders of the native Irish army that repelled the Vikings in the Battle of Clontarf.

It was a surname that rose in six different areas across the island, and subsequently, remains a popular name to this day!

The surname, O’Connolly, originates from several native Irish septs, the most well known were based around Counties Monaghan, Cork, and Fermanagh – with the Monaghan Connolly’s the most historically prominent.
A number of Irish names have been anglicised as Connolly. The surname O’Conghalaigh, means “as fierce as a wolf”.
The earliest recorded spelling of the name was that of Tirlogh O’Connola, one of the chiefs based in County Monaghan. This clan was one of the Four Tribes of Tara.
In modern times, the surname is most popular in Counties Galway, Monaghan and Cork.

The Gaelic version of this surname is O'Coileáin. The name is said to have a few meanings, such as ‘darling’, ‘young fighting man’ or ‘descendent of a young warrior’.

It is one of the most popular surnames on the island of Ireland. Additionally, it’s one of the surnames that’s truly indigenous to the island. You'll find many Collins families in Counties Cork and Limerick and across the southern half of the country.

The surname originated in Limerick, in the baronies of Connello, though later they were forced to relocate to West Cork. They were one of the leading clans in the Uí Fidgenti kingdom, which covered most of northern Munster.