The Irish Tracey (Tracy, Treacy, Treacey) comes from the historic sept of the Ó Treasaigh; however, the name originally stems from the word treasach, meaning war-like, fighter, more powerful, or superior. Although the surname O’Tracy is rooted in the ancient and noble English family from Saxon ancestry, many of the Anglo-Irish Tracys (Ó Treasaigh) were from County Limerick. … [Read more...] about Roots: O’Treasaigh, Tracy, Tracey, Treacy
Roots
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 provinces under his rule, using hostages as a way to get power and influence. He also was up for a spot of kidnapping and that’s how the Welsh lad with Roman parents – a lad whom we now … [Read more...] about Roots: The Ferocious and Fascinating O’Neills
Roots:
The Mighty McDonnells
The name McDonnell accounts for a widespread group of individuals of Irish or Scottish heritage. Categorized as a patronymic (a name labelling by male ancestor), McDonnell is an anglicization of the Irish Mac Domhnall, meaning “son of Domhnall” (pronounced DOH-nal). Domhnall is conclusively of Scottish origin, deriving from the migration of Donald of Islay’s (d. 1423) … [Read more...] about Roots:
The Mighty McDonnells
Roots: The Mahoney Clan
The surname Mahoney originally designated the descendants of Mathghamhain, an Irishman of the early 11th century who was killed in the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. He was the son of Cian mac Máelmuaid and his wife Sadhbh, who was the daughter of the High King Brian Boru, a member of the Eóganacht Raithlind dynastic line descending from Eoghan Mor, a 2nd-century King of Munster. … [Read more...] about Roots: The Mahoney Clan
Roots: The Murray Clan
The surname Murray reflects the historic ties between Ireland and Scotland, and signifies the bearer’s roots in the early kingdom of Moray. Located in the northeast of the country, with coastline on the Moray Firth, the area took its name from the native Scottish Gaelic word moireabh, meaning “seaboard settlement.” Murray’s strong base in Ireland is partially due to an influx … [Read more...] about Roots: The Murray Clan