Clan Sweaters

Mac Grath, Mac Raith, MacGraw, Magra, Magraith, Magrath, Magraw, Mc Grath.   Mac Raith comes from the Gaelic word “raith”, which means ‘ grace’ or ‘prosperity’. There were two...

Mac Cionnaith, Mac Kenna.   Mac Cionnaith means son of Cionnaith, a personal name. The clan originated in Co. Meath in the east of the country, and subsequently moved northward to Truagh, an area on the border of the modern counties of Tyrone...

Mac Mathghamhna, Mac Mathúna, Mahon, Mc Machon, Mc Mann.   The English Mc Mahon comes from the Gaelic Mac Mathghamha, from “mathghamquain” meaning ‘bear’. There were two different septs of the...

Moore, O’ Moore, O’ Mora, O’ More, Ó Mórdha.   Moore was originally Ó Mórdha, from the Gaelic word “mordha” meaning ‘noble or stately’. The original sept was...

Morahan, Moran, O’ Moraine, O’ Moran, O’ Morane, Ó Móráin.   Moran is the English version of two distinct Gaelic surnames; Ó Móráin, from the Gaelic...

Murtagh, O' Moriarty, O' Muircheartaigh.   Moriarty is the English version of the Irish O Muircheartaigh, made up of muir, ‘sea’ and ceardach, ‘skilled’ therefore ‘one skilled in the ways of the sea’...

Mulligan came from the Gaelic name Ó Maolagáin, derived from the word “maol” which means ‘bald’. The sept was located in Co. Donegal, in the baronies of Boylagh and Raphoe, where they were rulers of the territory of...

The name Murphy is the Anglicisation of two Gaelic names, Ó Murchadha and Mac Murchadha, both from the popular personal name ‘Murchadh’ meaning ‘sea warrior’. The Mac Murchadha sept was based in Ulster and was part of the...

This surname can be of Scottish or Irish origin. The Scottish version of the name was originally Mac Murray, derived from “Moray” which means ‘settlement by the sea’. The Gaelic version of the name was Ó Muireachaidh, which...

Ó Briain comes from the personal name Brian, and denotes a descendant of Brian Boru, King of Ireland in the 11th Century. Brian Boru was a member of the Uí Toirdealbhaigh sept, who were part of the Dál gCais tribal grouping, and were...

Ó Conaill, ‘descendant of Conall’, comes from the personal name Conall, which most likely is derived from “Con”, meaning ‘hound’, and “gal”, meaning ‘valour’. The name was very popular,...

The O’ Connor clan has left a lasting influence on Irish history, going all the way back to the second century. The name is derived from a tenth century King of Connacht, Conchobhair, meaning ‘hero’ or ‘champion’. The last...

Ó Domhnaill comes from the personal name Domhnall meaning ‘world-mighty’. The name is most strongly connected with Co. Donegal in the north-west of Ireland, although there were other septs of the same name in a number of areas,...

The Donovans are descended from the sept of Ó Donnabháin who were from County Limerick in the south west of Ireland. The name comes from the Gaelic Ó Donndubháin meaning ‘descendant of the dark brown-haired one’...

The surname O’ Driscoll comes from the Irish O hEidirisceoil, from eidirisceoil meaning ‘go between’ or ‘bearer of news’ Few Irish names have been so continuously associated with their territory of origin as the Driscolls or...

Dwyer is the Anglicisation of the Gaelic Ó Duibhir or Ó Dubhuidhir, from “Dubh” meaning dark, and “odhar”, meaning sallow. The clan originated in County Tipperary, where they were a strong force of resistance against...