Rourke Derived from the old Norse/Viking word for Hrothekr which means famous king and 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. |  |
Ryan Dating to the 14th Century near the border of Limerick and Tipperary the name Ryan originally meant son of a devotee of St. Riaghan. The Irish version of this name is O Maoilriaghain and this was first anglicised as Mulryan before becoimng further modified as Ryan. |  |
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. |  |
Sheehan From the Irish siodhach which means peaceful. Originally from the area bordering Limerick and Clare the Sheehan clan gradually moved southward into Cork and then Kerry. The name remains strong in all these areas. |  |
Tobin The Irish for Tobin is Toibin and this is actually derived from the original Norman for St. Aubin. It is from this area in Brittany which the family can trace its roots. Settling in Kilkenny by the 13th century, the family gradually spread southward and the name is common in Tipperary, Cork and Waterford. |  |
Toibin The Irish for Tobin is Toibin and this is actually derived from the original Norman for St. Aubin. It is from this area in Brittany which the family can trace its roots. Settling in Kilkenny by the 13th century, the family gradually spread southward and the name is common in Tipperary, Cork and Waterford. | |
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