Irish Names

Irish Family Names

The Background to Gaelic Irish Family Names

Ethnic Origin

Irish surnames are usually classified in terms of racial or ethnic origin. So we have Gaelic Irish, Norman (Anglo-Norman via England or Cambro-Norman via Wales), Scottish and English planters, and a multitude of other smaller groupings.

Divilly, an anglicised version of O'Duibhghiolla, is of Gaelic Irish origin.

In Ireland the system of hereditary Gaelic Irish surnames began earlier than in most other European countries. Irish surnames evolved over many hundreds of years, and developed out of a more ancient system of clan name.

The Irish septs, which grew out of these clans, came to be identified by their surname. The bearers of a particular surname occupied a particular territorial unit. Notwithstanding the many confiscations of land in Ireland’s history, the bearers of any particular Irish surname in most cases still inhabit those areas their ancestors occupied before such confiscations. Thus, the Divilly name was until very recently to be found almost exclusively in Co. Galway, Ireland.

Clan Names

The clan names were formed from the name of distinguished ancestors, and descendants occupied particular areas. Clans evolved over at least five centuries, from the fifth or sixth century to the eleventh century.

Septs

Gaelic society further evolved between the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Those who were descendants of a common ancestor, and inhabited the same locality came to be known as septs. The area of land controlled by a sept was know as a ballybetagh (and may have been co-extensive with the later parish), which was composed of sixteen ballyboes. A ballyboe was an area of land which could support a number of families, the modern equivalent is a townland.

The Divilly ancestors came from two Co. Galway septs. These were Ui Fiachra Aidhe in the southern part of the county around Kinvarra and the other, Siol Anmchadha, in the south east of the county. There is some evidence to suggest that the Siol Anmchadha may also have been near the Galway Mayo county border at Headford.

Surname Origins

There are four basic origin types.

Surnames derived from an ancestor. This is described as patronymic. Examples of this are the name O'Brien or O'Donnell.
Surnames derived from a place. - toponymic. Examples of this are Dillon (de Leon) or Kingston (de Kyngeston).
Surnames derived from an occupation. Examples of this are Mason, McGowan (Smith) and Cooper.
Surnames derived from a description. Examples of this are Long, Shortt, Black, White.

Divilly, being derived from O'Duibghiolla, is patronymic.

Patronymic and hereditary surnames

From an early period, a personal name derived from a father (patronymic) or male ancestor came to be used to describe the individual. Irish patronymics surnames were formed by prefixing Mac· (son of) to the father’s name, or Ui· or O'· (grandson of) to that of the grandfather.

In time the patronymic name, which before was purely personal and changed with each generation, gradually became fixed like the clan names centuries before, and began to assume the permanent and hereditary character of a family surname. The period at which this change began can only be determined approximately. The eleventh and twelfth centuries is considered the period within which Irish patronymic surnames became fixed and hereditary.

Given Names in Gaelic Irish Families.

Ever wondered why particular names are very common in different families? It goes back to the traditional way that children were given names. Historically the following naming patterns were used:

1st son was named after the father's father
2nd son was named after the mother's father
3rd son was named after the father
4th son was named after the father's eldest brother

1st daughter was named after the mother's mother
2nd daughter was named after the father's mother
3rd daughter was named after the mother
4th daughter was named after the mother's eldest sister