Irish America

Irish America

Roots

Discover Your Ancestors on this Interactive Map of Irish Surnames

By Dave Lewis, Editorial Assistant
April 6, 2018

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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, the answer is almost certainly yes. And to get the answers, cartographer Kenneth Field and the American Geographical Society have shared an interactive map of Ireland based on the 1890 census that … [Read more...] about Discover Your Ancestors on this Interactive Map of Irish Surnames

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Discover Your Ancestors on this Interactive Map of Irish Surnames

By Dave Lewis, Editorial Assistant
April 6, 2018

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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, the answer is almost certainly yes. And to get the answers, cartographer Kenneth Field and the American Geographical Society have shared an interactive map of Ireland based on the 1890 census that … [Read more...] about Weekly Comment:
Discover Your Ancestors on this Interactive Map of Irish Surnames

Roots: The O’Hara Clan

By Mary Gallagher, Editorial Assistant
April / May 2018

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The name O’Hara has held a distinguished place in Ireland for centuries. The current spelling is an anglicized pronunciation of the original Irish Ó hEaghra, meaning “descended from Eaghra” (rhymes with “Tara”). Bearers of the name are believed to be the generational offspring of 10th century Irish chief Eaghra (d. 976), who governed the areas around today’s Leyny, County … [Read more...] about Roots: The O’Hara Clan

Roots: The Kennedys

By James G. Ryan, Contributor
February / March 2018

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The name Kennedy or O’Kennedy is derived from the Gaelic O’Cinneide, which is itself derived from the original Gaelic form cean eidig meaning, “ugly head,” or, more generously, “helmet head.” This was the name by which the father of Brian Boru was known (the Irish have always had a high tolerance for less-than-complimentary anatomical nicknames). The surname first appears as … [Read more...] about Roots: The Kennedys

Roots: The MacDermots

By Dave Lewis, Editorial Assistant
December / January 2018

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The MacDermots are a clan of royalty and rebels. ℘℘℘ The MacDermot clan and its descendants have produced kings, revolutionaries, politicians, CEOs, sports figures, authors and at least one Hall of Famer throughout the centuries. In addition to “MacDermot,” the name has several geographic variants, including the Irish MacDiarmada, McDermitt, and McDiarmid, and the Manx Kermit … [Read more...] about Roots: The MacDermots