Genealogy Chat

Descended from Bran, King of Leinster, who died in 1052, this great Irish sept originated in County Kildare where they held extensive territory; however, soon after the Anglo-Norman invasion of 1169 - 1170, the sept migrated southwards and settled in Wicklow where they occupied the country between Rathdrum and Shillelagh. Their name in Irish is O'Broin, the Gaelic prefix "O" indicating "male descendant of", plus the personal byname Bron i.e. Bran, raven. The O'Broins, like their neighbours the O'Tooles, were particularly noteworthy for their resistance to foreign aggression, and they continued to inaugurate native chiefs up to the end of the 16th Century. The seat of their chiefs was at Ballinacor, County Wicklow, and the territory over which they held sway was known as Crioch Branach. The celebrated "Leabhar Branach" or "Book of the O'Byrnes" deals with the exploits of the clan in the 16th Century. Alderman Alfred Byrne (1882 - 1956), a distinguished recent member of the clan, was ten times Lord Mayor of Dublin. The Byrne Coat of Arms is a red shield with a chevron between three silver dexter hands couped at the wrist, the Crest being a mermaid with comb and mirror proper. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Fiacha Mac Hugh O'Byrne, military leader, which was dated 1544 - 1595, in the "Historical Records of Dublin", during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1 of England, known as "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

This famous surname, has an unusual origin. Although widespread in Scotland and most of England from the medieval period, it actually derives from the Old English pre 7th Century word "scotti". This in former and ancient times denoted not a Scotsman, but an Irishman, and specifically a Gael, one who had taken part in conquering the west coast of Scotland in or about the 5th century a.d! In the English border counties though the word or name had a more general meaning of anybody from Scotland. Given the warlike conditions which applied for many centuries and may so again, the name was not always complimentary. Early examples of the recordings include: Uchtred filius Scot, in the register of Kelso Abbey in 1120, when he witnessed the foundation charter of the town of Selkirk, whilst in his work "Scotland under her early Kings", Robertson notes "Scotus as such described a Gael, in the same way that Flandrensis meant a Fleming". Amongst the nobilty of Scotland, Richard le Scot of Murthoxton, who rendered homage in 1296 to the government of Scotland, was the first ancestor of the ducal house of Buccleuch and Queensberry. The family also holds the earldom of Doncaster. Sir Walter Scott (1771 - 1832), novelist and poet, born in College Wynd, Edinburgh, came from a branch of this family. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Roger Scot, which was dated circa 1150, in the "Documents relating to the Danelaw", Lincolnshire, during the reign of King Stephen, known as "Count of Blois", 1135 - 1154. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was sometimes known as Poll Tax.

This very old and famous surname, equally popular in Scotland and England, has at least two possible origins, the first being a nickname given by the invading Angles and Saxons to the native Celts and Britons who were darker-haired and darker-skinned than themselves. There is an ancient fable that Wulfricus Niger, otherwise known as Wulfric the Black circa 980, received his name after blackening his face in order to pass undetected through his enemies. The second possible origin is as a shortened form of Black-Smith, a worker in cold metals, as distinct from a White (Smith), one who worked in hot metals. The surname was popular in Scotland from the 15th Century. Adam Black of Edinburgh (1784 - 1874), a publisher, acquired the rights to the Encyclopedia Britannica in 1827. No less than ten Coats of Arms were granted to families of this name. Those borne by Gilbert Black, Dean of the Guild of Aberdeen (1672), depict a black saltire between a red mullet in chief and a red crescent in base, on a silver shield with a black chief. A demi lion proper is on the Crest, and the Motto, "Non Crux, sed lux", translates as, "Not the cross, but its light". The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Wulfhun des Blaca which was dated circa 901, in the "Old English Bynames Register", during the reign of King Edward, known as "The Elder", 899 - 924 A.D. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

This is one of the most distinguished Anglo-Scottish surnames. It is of French locational origin from the ancient castle of Saint Foi de Montgomery in the diocese of Lisieux, Normandy, or from St. Germain de Montgomery in Calvados. The name is first recorded in England in the latter half of the 11th Century, (see below). Roger de Montgomery, a Norman nobleman who took part in planning the Invasion of England in 1066, was created Earl of Arundel and granted vast estates in Sussex circa 1067. He obtained the earldom of Shewsbury in Shropshire in 1071. The former county of Montgomeryshire in Wales received its name from the Norman territory, the component elements being the Old French "mont", a hill, plus the Germanic personal name "Gumaric", meaning "man-power". Robert de Mundegumri was the first recorded namebearer in Scotland, a charter witness in circa 1165. The Montgomeries were granted the earldom of Eglington in 1507. Sir Bernard Montgomery, the British Field Marshall of the Second Word War, was arguably the most successful army commander since the days of the Duke of Wellington in 1815. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Hugo de Montgomeri. This was dated 1086, in the Domesday Book of Staffordshire, during the reign of King William 1st of England, and known as "The Conqueror", 1066 - 1087. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

This name, with variant spellings Cammack, Camock, Cammacke, Camocke, Camacke, Cammocke and Cammock, is of locational origin from a now "lost" place believed to have been in the Border Country. The name contains the Celtic element "cam" meaning "bent" or "crooked" , probably with reference to land on a river bend. Locational surnames, such as this, were developed when former inhabitants of a place moved to another area, usually in search of work, and were best identified by the name of their birthplace. The surname first appears on record in the early part of the 16th Century (see below), and one John Cammock was a landholder in Corrouchane, Scotland, in 1557. In the modern idiom the surname can be found as Cammack, Cammacke, Camacke Camock, Camocke, Cammocke and Cammock. Recordings from English Church Registers include: the marriage of Mergeria Cammock to Thomas Laine in Edmonton, London, on March 29th 1570; the christening of Isabell, daughter of Thome Camock, in Scarborough, Yorkshire, on March 28th 1605; the marriage of John Camacke to Agnes Thompson in Kirkland, Cumberland, in 1611; and the marriage of John Cammack to Frances Wake in Holy Trinity, Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Cammok, which was dated circa 1525, in "Records of Cumberland", during the reign of King Henry V111, known as "Bluff King Hal", 1509 - 1547. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

hi
surnames i have are
MONTGOMERY
BLACK
SCOTT

hi Ann, any cammocks in your book.

thank you, i do see they originally came from Scotland boarders,but wandering when they first show up in Ireland and what main area.

thank you
karen

my pleasure - all on here

http://www.surnamedb.com

Ann X

Anne,

Thanks, much appreciated!
MaryMc

This is a Gaelic surname recorded in Scotland and Ireland. It is in fact Norse in its origins and may well date back to the 7th century a.d. when the Vikings first descended on Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. It derives from the elements 'Thor' - the name of the god of war, and 'cetel' - a cauldron. The Gaelic form being originally 'Mac Thorcaill', although there are no known recordings from the 10th century to absolutely prove this spelling. In the Isle of Man the name is recorded as 'Corkhill' whilst in Scotland it has been found in spellings such as McQuorkell (1613), and McOrkill in 1629. The Scottish McCorkell's are considered part of the clan Gunn. In Ireland the recordings include Joseph McCorkell of Templemore, County Derry, who was christened there on February 15th 1765. Biddy McCorkell, aged only eight, and Margaret, who is believed to have been her sister, aged seventeen, left Ireland on the ship 'Marion of Londonderry', on April 12th 1847, bound for New York. They were attempting to escape the Irish Potato Famine. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Jannet M'Korkyll, which was dated 1561, recorded as being 'slain' in Edinburgh, Scotland, during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, 1542 - 1587. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Bumping up :)

Thanks

Hi Ann,

if you're still doing this, could you please tell me the meaning of McCorkell?

Thanks so much.

MaryMc

pretty sure I've done this before too!!

Mears


This interesting surname, of Anglo-Saxon origin, is a topographical name for someone who lived by a pond, deriving from the Olde English pre 7th Century "mere" meaning "lake, pond", or a topographical name for someone who lived near a boundary, deriving from the Olde English "(ge)moere" meaning "boundary". The surname dates back to the mid 13th Century (see below), and further early recordings include: Gregory de la Mere, listed in the Hundred Rolls of Wiltshire, and Adam del Mere (1307), in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield, Yorkshire. Variations in the idiom of the spelling include Meares, Meers, Meres, Meeres and Merris. Recordings from London Church Registers include: the marriage of John Merer and Margarett Francis at St. Margaret Lothbury, on February 30th 1563; the christening of Joan Meares on November 18th 1587, at St. Martin in the Fields, Westminster; and the christening of Lydia, daughter of William and Elizabeth Meares, at St. Sepulchre, on May 10th 1702. One John Mears (1695 - 1767) was an Irish presbyterian divine having studied divinity in Glasgow and received an M.A., in 1713. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert atte Mere, which was dated 1269, witness in the "Assize Court Rolls of Somerset", during the reign of King Henry 111, known as "The Frenchman", 1216 - 1272. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

hello,could you please find out the origins of the name meyers or mears,from around the belfast area.thank you x

Kennedy

This is an anglicized form of an Olde Gaelic (Scots and Irish) personal/nickname 'cinneidigh or cinneide', a compound of the elements 'cinn' meaning 'head', plus 'eide' translating variously as 'grim' or 'helmeted'. Cinneide was the nephew of Brian Boru, High King of Ireland (1002 - 1014), and the surname O Cinneide (the Gaelic prefix 'O' indicating 'male descendant of') came into being in Ireland in the 11th Century. The 'Annals of the Four Masters' record an O Cinneide, Lord of Tipperary in 1159. The first recorded Scottish name bearer appears to be Gilbert Mac Kenedi who witnessed a charter in Melrose circa 1165 - 1170. (The prefix 'mac' means 'son of'). The Scottish Kennedys are by remote origin Irish Gaels. In 1296 one, Alexander Kennedy was canon of Glasgow. Duncan Kennedy, provost of Aberdeen, 1321 - 1322 was the first recorded of the name in the north east. The Kennedy's held the lands of Kermuck (Aberdeenshire) for generations. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Henry Kennedy or Mac Kenede, which was dated 1185 - Leader of a rebellion in Galloway, during the reign of King William, The Lion of Scotland, 1165 - 1214. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Kane


Recorded as Kain, Kane, Kann, and Kayne, this interesting surname is regarded as English, but has several possible origins. Firstly, it may be of Old French origin, either a nickname for a tall, thin man, as some fifteen percent of all surnames are known to come from a nickname source. Secondly it may be an occupational name for a reed weaver or even a reed merchant, one who sold reeds used for thatching, flooring and basket weaving. In both cases the derivation is from the word "cane", meaning reed. Thirdly it may be locational and again French, and describe a former inhabitant of the town of Caen, in Normandy. Meaning "Battlefield", it is named from the "fused" 6th century Gaulish elements "catu" (battle), and "magos", a field. Lastly the name may be of Welsh origin, deriving from the male given name "Cain" or the female "Keina", both meaning "good looking", or perhaps as a short form of other Welsh personal names as Ceindrych or Ceinwen. Early examples of the surname recording in the surviving church registers of the diocese of Greater London include the marriage of Michael Cain to Rebecca Chapell, on February 2nd 1600, at St. Bride's, Fleet Street, and that of Mary Kann, the daughter of Joseph Kann, who was christened at St Benets church, Pauls Wharf, on October 23rd 1692. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Godfrey Kein. This was dated 1198, in the register of the abbey of Bury St. Edmund's, Suffolk", during the reign of King Richard 1st, known as "The Lionheart", 1189 - 1199.

Cain

This interesting surname has three possible sources; firstly, it may be of Old French origin, and is either a nickname for a tall, thin man, or a metonymic occupational name for someone who gathered reeds, which were needed in the Middle Ages as a floor covering, and for weaving small baskets, or a topographical name for someone who lived in a damp area overgrown with reeds. It derives from the Middle English "cane", a development of the Old French "cane", meaning cane, reed. Secondly, it may be a Norman locational name from the town of Caen, in Calvados, Normandy, named with the Gaulish elements "catu", battle, plus "magos" meaning field, plain. Finally, it may be of Welsh origin, deriving from the female given name "Keina", perhaps a short form of such Welsh personal names as "Ceindrych, Ceinwen", from the Welsh "cain" meaning beautiful. The surname dates back to the late 12th Century (see below). London Church Records list the marriage of Michaell Cain to Rebecca Chapell, on February 2nd 1600, at St. Bride's, Fleet Street. A Coat of Arms granted to a Cain family is black, a silver phoenix. The Crest is a demi antelope per fesse blue and silver, gold collared and armed. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Godfrey Kein, which was dated 1198, in the "Abbey of Bury St. Edmund's, Suffolk", during the reign of King Richard 1, known as "The Lionheart", 1189 - 1199. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

I'm sure if you look back through we have done those surnames Barbra

for Margaret Finch

Butler

This famous aristocratic surname is of Norman-French origins, and is one of the very few to be accepted as being pre-1066 in origin and recording, and even rarer still to be recorded in France itself. It is in a sense job descriptive, deriving the Olde French 'bouteillier' and meaning "one who supplies the bottles" but more specifically the wine. However 'Bouteillier'in the surname sense defines status in a royal or at least noble, household, along with the Marshall (Master of the Horse), The Steward (Head of the Estate), The (dis)Spencer (Head of Provisions) and the Bouteillier or Butler (Master of the Pantry). That the original 'Butlers' were much more than servants of any sort is shown by the fact that when Theodore Fitzwalter accompanied King Henry 11 on his conquest of Ireland in 1171, he was not only appointed 'Chief Butler of Ireland' but he subsequently adopted 'Butler' as his surname. In England and Ireland no less than ninety four Coats of Arms have been granted to Boteler and Butler, the first being to Robert de Pincerna, butler to Randolf, Earl of Chester, in 1158, and the first of the Butlers of Cheshire. This original and ancient arms has the blazon of a red field, a bend between three goblets, all gold. The Butler's were also amongst the first into the new American Colonies, Francis Butler, aged 18, being recorded as a settler at 'Elizabeth Cittie, Virginea'in January 1624. He arrived on the ship 'Bonaventure' and was a member of the governors guard, history repeating itself. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Hugo Buteiller, which was dated 1055, The calendar of preserved ancient documents of France, during the reign of King Henry 1 of France, 1031 - 1060. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Fallon


This interesting name has two possible origin, the first being that it is a variant of the English name "Fuller", from the Old English pre 7th Century "fullere", a name given to "a dresser of cloth". The second possible origin is Irish, from the Anglicized form of the Gaelic "O' Fallamhain", a descendant of Fallamhan, which was a byname meaning "leader", from "follamhnas, supremacy. Fuller is first recorded in 1219 (Assize Rolls, Yorkshire) as Roger Fulur, and Fallon, although a common name in Ireland, was not recorded there until 1585 (Dysart, Athlone, County Roscommon). The surname can be found as Fallon, O' Fallon, O' Fallo(w)ne, Fal(l)oon and Fallen, and can also be found as Hallon, from the Gaelic O' Fhallamhain. In Ireland the name is mainly found in Counties Galway and Roscommon. Among the sample recordings in London are the marriage of Peter Fallon and Magdalen Hebert on October 28th 1704 at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster and the christening of William, son of James and Elizabeth Fallon on June 2nd 1839 at St. Luke's, Chelsea. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Anne Fallen (christening), which was dated March 14th 1565, St. Giles Cripplegate, London, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.