The Irish name Eoin, my guess is this is the Irish version of Ian or perhaps Owen. Does anybody know? Peter Mitchell (Searching for Mitchell's & D'Arcy's around Clifden, Derrigimlagh, Ballyconnelly or Tuam in Galway County or anyplace in Monaghan County)

Peter, The name Eoin is given as an English translation of the Latin name Johannes or Johannis - as are John and Ian. There is in Irish, a name - Eoghain for which the translation is given as Owen or Eugene - Owen being the most common translation. Eoin, would be another spelling or translation of Eoghain. So, it's a case of take your pick I guess. Johannes and Johannis are more often than not taken as being = John. Statistically, the number of people named in English as Ian or Eoin, compared to John, who carried either of these two Latin names in Baptismal records, but who would have been called Eoin or John in real life is very small. A few things need to be taken into consideration in deciding which name this really was. Latin was the common language in Roman Catholic parish records where Irish was spoken. A child, who would be known as Eoghain / Eoin or Owen in the spoken word would be named Johannes or Johannis in the parish records - so long as the records are in Latin. The name Ian would be rare amongst Catholics. If, you found this name in records that are in English - then, the most likely translation for it, depending on whether you are dealing with Catholic or Protestant records, would be Eoin/Eoghain = Owen, or else Ian. Eoin/Eoghain = Owen - most likely if the source is Catholic - and even that if Protestant, compared to Ian. Ian would be a much more uncommon name - and most likely given to a child of Protestant parentage. In the final decision as to whether or which, it would have to be a name that follows through from generation to generation. At that, you'd still be guessing - but maybe with a better chance. Jane ----- Original Message ----- From: "pslk" <pslk@rogers.com> To: <IRL-GALWAY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2005 7:58 PM Subject: [GALWAY] Anybody heard of the name EOIN > The Irish name Eoin, my guess is this is the Irish version of Ian or > perhaps Owen.