==================================================================== "INVESTIGATING IRISH SURNAMES," by Sherry Irvine, B.A., CGRS, FSA Scot ==================================================================== Each time my online course gets underway I notice the same thing-- most people starting Irish research have had little or no experience with surname variants. They have been spelling their name one way all their lives, their parents did the same, and the consistent use of one spelling may go back beyond that. The idea that names have different spellings is new and the apparently unrelated variants of some Irish names come as a surprise. There is plenty of evidence in print, on the Internet, and on CD that can help anyone learn more about Irish surnames, particularly one's own family names. This article reviews the most useful and most accessible resources. For years I have turned to resources that are in print--"Surnames of Ireland," by Edward MacLysaght (Dublin, 1973), and "Surnames in Ireland," by Robert Matheson (originally published 1901 and 1909, reprinted in one volume, GPC 1994, presently out of print). MacLysaght is quite possibly the greatest authority on Irish names. He has written several books, including the basic surname dictionary noted above. Its brief introduction neatly answers many novices' questions. The most common ones are about the use of Mc and Mac (not indicative of Scottish names) and O (added to some names in error in the 1800s). MacLysaght also comments on name variants, making reference to my other favorite resource, "Surnames in Ireland." This publication is two books in one. The first part is a long table of statistics based on the registration of births in all of Ireland in 1890. All surnames for which five or more registrations were made are listed. For each name there are six columns: the total registered, number registered in each of the four provinces, and notes on the counties in which each name was principally found. The second part presents a list of names with variant forms and includes four fascinating, and sometimes amusing, chapters on spelling, contractions, interchangeable names, English and Gaelic forms, etc. This section includes a comprehensive index to all name variants. The core facts of these two publications, and lots of additional information, can be found online, and on CD-ROM and, I must admit, playing with the electronic forms is fun. At the online site for the Irish Times (http://www.ireland.com/ancestor/ ), one of three main options is to find out more about a surname; type a name into the field and click on 'go.' The result is a page presenting a summary of the number of times the name appears as head of a household in each county in Griffith's Primary Valuation, a property survey carried out between 1848 and 1864. There are many more names here than in Matheson's book. On the left is a list of up to four other options (not all are available for all names): coat of arms, family history publications, 1890 distribution (based on Matheson), and surname history. The Griffith's information is presented in a small map and in a table. If you want to see details for how often a name appears in each parish of one county then an $8 payment is required. There is another feature of the Griffith's distribution survey: a second surname can be added to see in what counties two names appear together. There is an $8 charge to find out the parishes in which the names appear together. These electronic formats stem from the work of John Grenham, hence the title of the CD-ROM, Grenham's Irish Surnames (Eneclann, 2003); a 'tour' of the CD is at their website: http://www.eneclann.ie If you are interested in several Irish surnames it is a better value; all the features of the website are here (both free and paid) and the CD costs about the same as five paid items online. The CD layout is easy to use; in my opinion it is a better format than that of the website. The data is clearly presented in tables and maps. The simplicity is appealing, as is the visual presentation; it really helps to see the facts that the name distribution surveys of Griffith's and Matheson's work reveal. As for improvements, on the CD and at the website I would prefer better contrast in the text areas (e.g., surname background information) and some text could be larger. There should be some explanation about how the CD and the website handle name variants; also, I wonder whether a wild card option might be helpful. Experimentation suggests that the main variants are found; e.g., type in Grean and you get Green (the main form) grouped with several other variants. Another box shows what variants are not included in the survey. Sometimes the variants appear separately; e.g., those in surname explanations. Thornton is a variant of Drennan but if you do not read all the detail you will not discover this; these names must be searched for separately and the connection is not up front. The CD and the website are fun and useful. Griffith's survey information and the maps are great features. I know, however, that I will not part with my books. Not only do I enjoy the extra detail, but Matheson in print, with its extensive list of variants and excellent index, ensures that you will find all related names. ____________________________________________________________________ Copyright 1998-2003, MyFamily.com, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Reprinted by permission from the "Ancestry Daily News"

LOL!!!! Thought you might all enjoy this "genealogy" of the name Kirwin (and all derivatives) that I found years ago in "A guide to Irish roots; including Celts, Vikings, Normans, Kings, Queens and Commoners" by William and Mary Durning; published by the Irish Family Names Society, P.O. Box 2095, La Mesa, CA, USA 91943-2095; 5th printing 1995; ISBN # 0-9601868-3-2..... Now if I can just connect the middle, I am home free <grin> Jana: KIRWIN is a derivation of the Irish name KIRWAN which was one of the Original 9 Tribes of Galway and a Gaelic name. Its original spelling was O'CIARDUIBAIN which gravitated through the CIARROVAN spelling to become KIRWAN or KIRWIN. Today, Irish friends have suggested it is a common as Smith in Ireland. The Tribe is said to descend from Noah's son Japeth as follows (you can find Noah's Ancestry widely published ;]) NOTE: carrot marks ">" indicate rapid descendency, birth order unknown [1.4] Japeth, 4th son of Noah [1.4.2] Magog, 2nd son of Japeth [1.4.2.4] (The Scythians) Baath, 4th son of Magog [1.4.2.4.2] Feinus Farsaidh "King of the Scythians in Syria 1700 BC [1.4.2.4.2.>] Gadel > Esru > Sru > Eber Scott > Beogaman > Tat [1.4.2.4.2.>.2] Agnomon, 2nd son of Tat [1.4.2.4.2.>.2.1] Laimfionn, 1st son of Agnomon [1.4.2.4.2.>.2.1.>] Eibhear Gluinfhionn > Adhnon Fionn > Feibric Glas (Ebric) > Neanual > Nuadha Nuagatt (Niagatt) > Alldod (Alluid) > Earcada > Deagha (Deaghatha) > Bregon (Bratha) "The Son of Fire" [1.4.2.4.2.>.2.1.>.4] Bille, 4th son of Bregon [1.4.2.4.2.>.2.1.>.4.1] Mille, son of Bille (married Scota; daughter of an Egyptian Pharoah) [1.4.2.4.2.>.2.1.>.4.1.3] Ir, 3rd son of Mille and Scota [1.4.2.4.2.>.2.1.>.4.1.3.>] Eibhear (Emer, Heber) > Ebric (Hebric) [1.4.2.4.2.>.2.1.>.4.1.3.>.1] Airtre, 1st son of Ebric 1120 BC [1.4.2.4.2.>.2.1.>.4.1.3.>.1.>] Art (Arthur) > Seadna 960 BC > Fiachaidh Fionscothach (Fiacha Fionn) > Eochaidh Ollamh Fodhla 924 BC (first to hold a genealogical and political convention) [1.4.2.4.2.>.2.1.>.4.1.3.>.1.>.1] Caibre, 1st son of Eochaidh Ollamh Fodhla [1.4.2.4.2.>.2.1.>.4.1.3.>.1.>.1.>] Laibhraidh > Bratha > Fionn 715 BC > Siolrlamb "The Long Handed" [1.4.2.4.2.>.2.1.>.4.1.3.>.1.>.1.>.2] Airgeadmhair (Of the Silver finger," 2nd son of Siolrlamb 550 BC [1.4.2.4.2.>.2.1.>.4.1.3.>.1.>.1.>.2.1] Fomor, 1st son of Airgeadmhair [1.4.2.4.2.>.2.1.>.4.1.3.>.1.>.1.>.2.1>] Dubh > Rossa > Srubh > Finn Dearcach (Indereach) > Glass (Green) > Cathfear (Caibre) > Faobhardhil > Faichen (Fomhar) > Dubh > Sitrige > Dueh > Roderick the Great aka Roceric the Great (called Clan Rory) [1.4.2.4.2.>.2.1.>.4.1.3.>.1.>.1.>.2.1>4] Roussa Ruadh (married Roigh & Macha) [1.4.2.4.2.>.2.1.>.4.1.3.>.1.>.1.>.2.1>4.1] Fearghus Mac Roigh (Fearghus Mor), 1st son of Roussa Ruadh & Roigh [1.4.2.4.2.>.2.1.>.4.1.3.>.1.>.1.>.2.1>4.1.4] Cormac, son of Fearghus Mac Roigh (Fearghus Mor) [1.4.2.4.2.>.2.1.>.4.1.3.>.1.>.1.>.2.1>4.1.4.2] Moghtoit, 2nd of Cormac [1.4.2.4.2.>.2.1.>.4.1.3.>.1.>.1.>.2.1>4.1.4.2.2] Mocha, 2nd son of Moghtoit [1.4.2.4.2.>.2.1.>.4.1.3.>.1.>.1.>.2.1>4.1.4.2.2.>] Cetghun > Enna > Gobhre > Iuchar > Eoghaman > Alta > Tairc > Teagha > Ethinon > Orbsenmar > Cormac > Lughach > Bearra > Uisle > Eachdach > Fornert > Meadhrua > Dubh > Earcoll > Earc > Eachdach > Cuscrach > Fionnfhear > Onchu > Neidhe [1.4.2.4.2.>.2.1.>.4.1.3.>.1.>.1.>.2.1>4.1.4.2.2.>.4] Gilligan, 4th son of Neidhe [1.4.2.4.2.>.2.1.>.4.1.3.>.1.>.1.>.2.1>4.1.4.2.2.>.4.>] MacCuinn > O'Cuinn > Quinn of Longford > Kerwin > Kerrigan > Sheridan > O'Birren > MacBirney > O'Branagan > Bredin > Martin > O'Kenny > O'Ciarrovan Let me know if you can get the Tribe on down to my Patrick, will you???? -----Original Message----- From: Lauren Boyd [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2003 6:32 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [MarinGenSoc] Article of Interest: "INVESTIGATING IRISH SURNAMES," by Sherry Irvine, B.A., CGRS, FSA Scot ==================================================================== "INVESTIGATING IRISH SURNAMES," by Sherry Irvine, B.A., CGRS, FSA Scot ==================================================================== <SNIP>