What's in a name? Early Tribal Names.
Surnames were not introduced into Ireland until
the period 950 to 1050 AD. Before this, there
were large Family Groups, usually called Tribes,
who occupied separate areas and were ruled by a
King. Because of the growth in population this
system had become too unwieldy, and individuals
were difficult to identify.
In the South
West of Ireland we find a number of important
Tribe Names which are useful to remember.
There are of course many variations in the
spelling of these Tribal Names, but the ones
below are typical.
1.Eoganachta.
The Eugenians- descendants of Eoghan Mor
or Eberians- descendants of Eber. They spread
through Counties Tipperary, Kerry and Cork.
The most successful, powerful and numerous of
the Gaelic Tribes in the South West. The
surnames they adopted included McCarthy,
O'Sullivan, O'Callaghan, O'Keefe, and
MacAuliffe.
2.Uí Eacha. A branch
of the Eoganachta who migrated to North Carbery.
Split into two Families, the Kinel Aedha, later
known as O'Mahoney; and the Kinel Laoghaire,
later known as O'Donoghue.
3.Corca
Laoidhe. An earlier, non-Gaelic, or Errainn
Tribe. Occupied South Carbery. Their later
surnames included O'Driscoll, O'Leary, O'Coffey,
O'Fihelly, and O'Hea.
4.Uí Liatháin.
Related to the Corca Laoidhe and lived in what
is now Barrymore. Their surname became
O'Liatháin or Lyons.
5.Uí Baghamna.
Or Muscraige Muitaine. Lived in Muskerry. Their
later surnames included O'Flynn.
6.Ciarraide.
Occupied Central Kerry. Their later surnames
were O'Conor Kerry, and O'Cahill.
7.Corca
Duibhne. Occupied the Corkaguiney
Peninsula, (Dingle Peninsula). Later surname
O'Falvey.
8.Clanna Degadh. Or
Degadians. Had migrated previously from
the North to Limerick. Later surnames were
O'Shea, and O'Connell.
9.Dal gCais.
Occupied the South Clare area. Another
highly successful Tribe. Later surnames included
O'Brien,and MacNamara.