McGillicuddy The name MacGillicuddy is a relatively recent one and as a result the origin is very precisely known. Originally from the Irish meaning son of the devotee of St. Mochuda or Mac Giolla Mochuda, the family was actually a branch of the OSullivans of Kerry. When Ailinn OSullivan became bishop of Lismore he started devotion to St Mochuda - a fellow Kerryman of the 7th Century. Devotion to this saint became strong among the OSullivans until, in the 15th Century Conor took the name officially. |  |
McNamara Originating in County Clare the name McNamara is itself shared with the surrounding coutry of Connemara, deriving from Mac Conmara Still strongest in Clare and Limerick where the family held power for almost 600 years until the 17th Century. |  |
Nolan From nuall meaning famous. The Nolans are strongly associated with Carlow and before the Norman invasion the O Nuallain family held power in that region, know at the time as Forth. The name can also be found in Mayo and Galway where a branch of the family migrated in the 16th Century. |  |
O'Gorman Derived from the Irish word for blue (gorm) Strongly based in Laois until the Norman invasion the clan moved to Clare and Monaghan and then eventually to Tipperary. Variations include Mac prefix as well as just Gorman which remains popular in Tipperary. |  |
O'Kelly From the original Ceallaigh which means bright-haired. The most famous of the Kelly/O Kelly clan was descended from Tadhg Mor O Ceallaigh who died in the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. |  |
O'Mahony A traditional Cork name, the OMahony clan retained power around Bandon until the 17th Century. The name deroves from the Irish word for bear, Mathghamhan |  |
O'Reagan The family name of Regan - of which OReagan is a variant - is derived from riodhgach which is the Irish for impulsive. The name is strong around Dublin/Meath, Limerick and Cork. In the Cork area the family was first strong in the Eastern part of the county around Fermoy (where a number of town names end directly regan)but later moved to West Cork. Variations of the name include Reagan and ORegan. |  |
O'Regan The family name of Regan - of which ORegan is a variant - is derived from riodhgach which is the Irish for impulsive. The name is strong around Dublin/Meath, Limerick and Cork. In the Cork area the family was first strong in the Eastern part of the county around Fermoy (where a number of town names end directly regan)but later moved to West Cork. Variations of the name include Reagan and ORegan. | |
O'Rourke Derived from the old Norse/Viking word for Hrothekr which means famous king which became adapted into Irish as Ruarc. The original Ruarc was a ninth century king and the family have a long association with Connaught...providing four Kings. |  |
O'Shea From the Irish word Seaghdha which means hawk-like. Holding power in Kerry during the Middle Ages, the name is still strongest in this area. A branch of the family migrated to Tipperrary and Kilkenny around the 14th century and the name is also common in those counties. |  |
Quigley The Irish word Coigleach (meaning unkempt) is the source for the name Quigley. Originally from Mayo the clan spread very early to areas around Sligo, Donegal and Derry. |  |
Reagan The family name of Regan - of which Reagan is a variant - is derived from riodhgach which is the Irish for impulsive. The name is strong around Dublin/Meath, Limerick and Cork. In the Cork area the family was first strong in the Eastern part of the county around Fermoy (where a number of town names end directly regan)but later moved to West Cork. Variations of the name include O'Regan and O'Reagan. | |
Regan The family name of Regan is derived from riodhgach which is the Irish for impulsive. The name is strong around Dublin/Meath, Limerick and Cork. In the Cork area the family was first strong in the Eastern part of the county around Fermoy (where a number of town names end directly regan)but later moved to West Cork. Variations of the name include O'Regan and O'Reagan. | |
Riordan Originating between Thurles and Birr the name Riordan is derived from the Irish words for Royal Poet. Early in the 12th Century the clan migrated to West Cork and the name remains very popular around Muskerry. |  |
Roche Although the name Roche can be traced back to the Normans the orignal bearer of the name was in fact named after the area of Rhos in Wales. This knight - FitzGodebert de la Roche - settled in Wexford. Becoming more Irish than the Irish themselves the family were regularly involved in rebellions against English rule. A section of the family later moved to Cork where they settled in the area around Fermoy. |  |
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