Clan Sweaters

Kane, Kean, Keane, O’ Kane, O’ Keane, Ó Catháin.   Ó Catháin comes from the Gaelic word “cath” which means ‘battle’. The name originated in the Lagan area of...

Cavanagh, Cavanaugh, Kavanaugh, Ó Caomhánaigh.   Ó Caomhánaigh comes from the Gaelic word “Caomhánach”, which means ‘a follower of (St.) Caomhán’. The Kavanaghs are...

Kellaher, O' Ceileachair, Keliher.   The name Kelleher is the English version of the Irish, O’ Ceileachair – meaning "overly fond of ones wife" The original Céileachar or Kelleher who was a nephew of the famous Brian Boru...

Kelley, Kelly, O’ Kelley, O’ Kelly, Ó Ceallaigh.   Kelly is the Anglicisation of the Gaelic Ó Ceallaigh, based on the personal name “Ceallach” which can mean either...

O’ Kennedy, Ó Cinnéide.   Kennedy is the Anglicisation of the Gaelic Ó Cinnéide, meaning ‘ugly-headed’. The clan homeland was near Killaloe in Co. Tipperary, and was part of the Dál gCais...

O’ Kenney, O’ Kenny, O’ Kinney, Ó Cionnaith.   The name Kenny comes from the personal name Cionaodh. It was borne by a high king of Ireland seems to have become popular from the Eighth Century in Ireland...

The two native Gaelic surnames O’ Longáin and O Longaigh have both been anglicised to Long. It is likely that both names derive from the Gaelic word ‘long’ meaning ship, therefore seafarer. The name Long is most commonly...

Linch, Linchey, Lynchehan, Lynchy, O’ Lynch, O’ Lynche, O’ Lynchy, de Lynch, Ó Loingsigh.     Lynch as it exists today in Ireland actually has two completely distinct origins...

Mac Aodh, Mac Gee, Mac Kee, Mc Gee, Mc Kee.   Mac Aodh means ‘son of Aodh’, a popular personal name meaning ‘fire’. The name can be either of Scottish or Irish origin. There were three Irish clans of the...

Mac Guire, Mag Uidhir, Maguier, Maguire, McGuire, McGwire.   Maguire is the Anglicisation of the Gaelic Mag Uidhir, which means ‘son of the brown-haired one’. The sept originated in County Fermanagh in the...

Mallon, Ó Maoileoin.   Malone is the Anglicisation of the Gaelic Ó Maoileoin, from ‘Maol’ meaning ‘bald’, in reference to Irish monks, and the personal name Eoin, together giving the meaning of ‘a...

Martin is an extremely common name throughout Ireland, and may be of English, Scottish or Gaelic origin. The Gaelic clan name comes from “Mac Giolla Mhártain”, which means ‘Devotee of Saint Martin’, similarly the Scots...

Mac Carthy, Mac Cárthaigh, Mc Arthy, Mc Carthy, Mc Cartie, Mc Carty.   The name Mc Carthy comes from the Gaelic Mac Cárthaigh from the word “Cárthach” meaning loving. The original bearer of...

Kermode, Mac Dermot, Mac Dermott, Mac Diarmada, Mc Dermot.     Mac Diarmada comes from the personal name “Diarmuid”. The family is descended from Maolruanaidh Mór, brother of the King of Connacht. Their...

Mac Domhnaill, Mac Donald.   The Mc Donalds are descended from the Scottish Clan of the same name. Mac Domhnaill comes from the personal name “Domhnall” which means ‘world mighty’, but in this case the Donald in...

Mac Domhnaill comes from the personal name Domhnall, made up of two words meaning ‘world’ and ‘strong’. It is very common in the northern province of Ulster, and also in the area which was the Kingdom of Thomond around counties...