I'm new to the list. I'm trying to read an Irish surname on a NYC marriage record and can't quite make it out. I was hoping I might get some suggestions from the list. It looks like Dowbey or Dourbey or Douebey. Could any of these be an Irish surname? Bill

I have found this link to be quite useful: http://scripts.ireland.com/ancestor/index.cfm For example, if you enter the surname Gallagher under the surname search, you will get the following information: Gallagher: Very numerous: all provinces but primarily Donegal and adjoining counties. MacLysaght mentions 23 different spellings of the anglicised name! The Irish is Ó Gallchobhair, meaning "lover of foreigners". They were a leading sept of Cineál Conaill and ally of the O'Donnells. The sermons of Bishop James O'Gallagher (1681-1751) are one of the treasures of Irish spirituality. The name has been abbreviated to Gallahue. IF & SGG. Goligher: Quite numerous: Ulster generally. Ir. Ó Gallchóir. See Gallagher. O Gallchobhair: fairly rare: Donegal etc. Ir.Lang. See Gallagher. *You will also get a coat of arms (if available), a listing of where the name appeared in Ireland in the year 1850, websites (if available) and other information!