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 known, however, is the fact that the great majority of these Ryans are actually O’Mulryans, an earlier form of the name that has been buried away over time. More unusual source names for Ryan … [Read more...] about Roots: The Remarkable Ryans
Roots
Roots: The Rebel O’Deas
In the past and at present alike, the name O’Dea is almost exclusively associated with the County Clare and adjacent areas such as Limerick City and north Tipperary. Though it is not a common name elsewhere, and even within County Clare is uncommon outside of the part of the county where it originated, it is an ancient and noble name with associations ranging from battle … [Read more...] about Roots: The Rebel O’Deas
Roots: The Hogans, Logans and Cogans
Although these surnames sound alike, the similarities end there. The Hogans are a Dalcassian family. Hogan comes from the Irish word óg meaning young. In Irish mythology, the land of eternal youth is called Tir Na nÓg. The Irish name of Hogan, Ó'hÓgáin, denotes that they are ancestors of Ogan, who was a direct descendant of Brian Boru, the last great High King of Ireland who … [Read more...] about Roots: The Hogans, Logans and Cogans
Roots: The Hogans, Logans and Cogans
Although these surnames sound alike, the similarities end there. The Hogans are a Dalcassian family. Hogan comes from the Irish word óg meaning young. In Irish mythology, the land of eternal youth is called Tir Na nÓg. The Irish name of Hogan, Ó'hÓgáin, denotes that they are ancestors of Ogan, who was a direct descendant of Brian Boru, the last great High King of Ireland who … [Read more...] about Roots: The Hogans, Logans and Cogans
Roots: The Lynches of Galway
The name Lynch, which is ranked among the 100 most common names in Ireland, originates with several different clans, and is most frequently traced back to the anglicization of the old Irish name Ó Loinsigh, and the less-numerous Norman de Lench family. The de Lench arrived in Ireland from France during the 12th century and became the most prominent of the 14 Norman families … [Read more...] about Roots: The Lynches of Galway