The Brady family name derives from the Gaelic McBradaigh which was originally anglicized as McBrady, but the "Mc" is very seldom used in modern times. The vast majority of this power clan of Breffny, now the County of Cavan, come from Ulster. A smaller group of Bradys (formally O'Brady) come from County Clare. The Bradys were a gentler sort and their prominent kinsmen have … [Read more...] about Roots: The Brady Family
James G. Ryan
Roots: The O’Neills
There are several different septs of the O'Neills in Counties Clare (where the name is also spelt O'Nihill), Waterford and Carlow. The most famous of the O'Neills, however, are the O'Neills of Tyrone, in the province of Ulster. The name in Gaelic means descendant of Neil or Niall, which was, and still is, a popular personal name in Ireland. In the U.S. the name is sometimes … [Read more...] about Roots: The O’Neills
Roots: Doherty or O’Doherty
The Doherty or O'Doherty name has many variations, including (O) Dougherty, Daugherty, Docherty and Doharty. The name, derived from the Gaelic O'Dochartaigh, means (descended) from Dochartach. Dochartach was a descendant of the infamous "Niall of the Nine Hostages," who was king of Ireland in the fourth century. Tradition has it that Niall was responsible for bringing Saint … [Read more...] about Roots: Doherty or O’Doherty
Roots: The O’Carrolls
The modern Carroll family is derived from one of two Gaelic roots, McCarroll or O'Carroll, but very predominantly from the latter. The name O'Carroll, in turn, derives from the Gaelic form O'Cearbhaill and there were several separate septs of this name, the most prominent being the O'Carrolls of Ely, who were chiefs of North Tipperary and Offaly. The other prominent sept was … [Read more...] about Roots: The O’Carrolls




