Hi Marilyn, Not definitive, but sometimes helpful -- this is from Edward MacLysaght, THE SURNAMES OF IRELAND, 6th ed. (Portland, OR and Dublin, IRE: Irish Academic Press, 1999): "(O) Milligan, Milliken. O Maoileagain [accents on "O" and last "a"]. An attenuated form of O Maolagain [accents same] (Mulligan). This name is numerous in Antrim and south Derry where it originated. MIF." "Field(s), Fielding. Mainly English in origin, but see Fehilly and Maghery. As de la Felde it occurs in mediaeval Irish records." "(O) Fehilly. O Fithcheallaigh [accent on "O"] (chess player). A sept of the Corca Laoidhe, often abbreviated to Feeley and sometimes anglicized Field. In modern times the form Feeley is mainly found in north Connacht, where it is a Silmurray sept. MIF. Map Cork." "Maghery. An Mhachaire (of the field). This is one of the few cognomina taken from place of residence which finally became hereditary surnames. It is n record in Co. Limerick at least as early as 1309. It takes the form Field in Co. Armagh." MIF = for more info, see MORE IRISH FAMILIES Map Cork = surname map shows OFihilly (? hard to read) in SW Cork. This is the closest match I can find, but many of the Cork names on the map are hard to read. Hope that helps, or is at least interesting. Claire K. On Jan 15, 2009, at 6:22 AM, Marilyn Otterson wrote: > ...My great grandfather was Joseph H. MILLIGAN. He was born about > 1815 "in > Ireland" (not much help there) and died in Boston, MA 7/30/1901. His > parents were, according to his death record, Thomas MILLIGAN and > Margaret > FIELDS. She was b. in Ireland. > > Joseph MILLIGAN married Ann FIELD (don't know date or place) and he > came to > the USA in 1850, supposedly through Pennasylvania. ... > Jospeh and Ann's daughter, Rebecca Milligan, b. MA, USA, married > William > Charles Armstrong who was born in Co. Tyrone. This makes me wonder if > Joseph Milligan may have been from Co. Tyrone as well, but that's just > speculation.