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Sloinnte na hÉireann created by Ken Hannon Larson Uachtarán - President Clann Ó hAnnáin - O'Hannon As the mist slowly rises from the Irish countryside, we find the ancient peoples of Ireland with a story to tell that is older than the country itself. It is the story of how "surnames" first began in Ireland in the early 900s. Centuries later other european countries were to follow by creating their own family "surnames". [Norway did not have permanent surnames till 1925, and Iceland still today does not have permanent family surnames] At birth we all inherit a family surname and yet we give little thought to the meaning and history of that surname. What does it represent? Where did it come from? (Examples of Irish surnames are located in the panels to the right and below.)
In 2004, the University College in Cork began a 3-year research project that resulted in the discovery of 3,700 Irish Surnames - spelled 11,500 different ways. This Exhibit tells the story of how the Irish Language helped to create the Irish form and meanings of Ireland's surnames. Both well known and lesser known surnames are in the Exhibit.
A few kept the "O" and "Mac", but most dropped their prefixes. By 1690 A.D., Ireland's Language was outlawed - And 775 Years of Irish spelling surnames came to an end. 'New' anglicized surnames now began to take their place. Suggestions were made to the Irish to change their names to easily identified names that represented for example their trades. The Mac an Ghabhan were originally found in Co. Cavan in Ulster Province and were prominent 'blacksmiths'. They did change their surname to "Smith" which as we know sounds more English than Irish. But these 'Smiths' were definitely Irish, and not English. Their brethren in Counties Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal would change their surname from "Mac an Ghabhan to MacGowan" instead. This brings up another important point about Irish surnames. Each one can have as many 2-5 variations and that is the reason why there are 11,500 spelling variations. And what became of those surnames that began with "Mac Giolla"? By Irish definition those surnames meant "son of the servant of ..." and was followed usually by a saint's name. Take for example ... Mac Giolla Íosa. A good solid Irish surname that in Irish meant "son of the servant of Jesus". But when it was anglicized it became very plain until a woman from Ulster ran for political office and became ... the President of Ireland - Mary McAleese. Yes, Mac Giolla Íosa was changed to 'McAleese'. These are just samples of what you and others will find in the "Surnames of Ireland-Sloinnte na Éireann Exhibit" that was created to give Irish descendents and others the opportunity to learn about the First Surnames in Europe. The Surnames Of Ireland Exhibit is also the story of: Saints, Fenians, Priests, Rebels, Martyrs, Bishops, Abbots, Patriots, Actresses, United Irishmen, Wild Geese, a 'Robin Hood' of Ulster, Transplantation, an Irish-American President and his Grandmother, and Two Irish-American signatories to the American Declaration of Independence. In addition, of the 96 Surnames in the Exhibit, both the Province and County where the surname originated are given. But that is not all - a microcosm of 1,000 years of Ireland's history is told through the surnames of 137 Historic Individuals that are mentioned in the Exhibit. Where possible the census ranking in the 1900 US Census is also shown. The Exhibit is available to be shown at group meetings, festivals, heritage week events, museums and more. To date it has shown at several festivals and locations nationwide. The presentation of the Exhibit at your event would also include President Ken Hannon Larson of Clann Ó hAnnáin-O'Hannon who would answer questions and offer guidance on self research to your guests. (A fee is necessary to offset travel costs.) For more information or to schedule the Surnames Of Ireland Exhibit for your group's event send an email to: Exhibit@clanhannon.com |
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