Roots Archive
Roots: The McCooey Clan
The McCooey surname has Armagh roots, deriving from the Gaelic name Mac Cumhaigh, meaning “son…
Irish Roots: O’Connell, Connolly, Conlon and Connellan
William Connolly The name Connolly is derived from several different roots….
Roots: The O’Sullivans Past & Present
The O’Sullivan Clan of Munster has produced fine military leaders, sporting heroes, politicians, movie stars,…
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Roots: The Ferocious and Fascinating O’Neills
Members of the O’Neill Clan (anglicized from Ui Néill, “Néill” meaning “champion”) can trace their origins back to Niall Noígíallach “of the Nine Hostages” (c. 361-452). Niall united all the […]
Discover Your Ancestors on this Interactive Map of Irish Surnames
Have you ever wondered where your Irish family name is most common or originates from in Ireland? If you’re like most Irish Americans in the weeks following St. Patrick’s Day, […]
Roots: The Remarkable Ryans
Given its status as one of the ten most numerous surnames in Ireland, the name Ryan is recognizable to most people as a telltale indicator of green in the veins. Less commonly […]
Roots: The Macs
This issue’s Roots column is slightly different from the traditional format. Instead of looking at a single surname, or different but etymologically related surnames, I examine three unique but phonetically […]
Military Physicians: Like Father, Like Daughter
Dr. Francis O’Donnell and his daughter, Dr. Mary O’Donnell, have dedicated their careers as physicians to serving our soldiers. The story of their service to their country and to our […]
Roots: The O’Dowd Clan
In 982 the King of Connaught, Aedh Ua Dubhda (or Hugh O’Dowd), “died an untroubled death.” This note in Lebor Laignech, the medieval Irish manuscript better known as the Book […]