Travel Info Online
*Home>>>General - Ireland

Why are some of my old Irish relatives named with Mc' or O'?


McDonnell , O'Donnell. what does Mc' & O' mean?
apparently this way of naming goes back for many years?

Thanks, this I brings up another question on the same subject. If my name is "O'Donnell" am I related to all the O'Donnell's/McDonnell's or was there different 'Donnell's" in the beginning of it all?

Mac (Mc) means son of, so MacDonnell means 'son of Donnell'. The McDonnells share a common ancestor called Donnell who was probably a chieftan or a king centuries ago.

History of the McDonnell name here:
http://www.ireland.com/ancesto... Report It

Mc is short for "mac", the Irish word for "son". When used in a name it means "son of". "脫" is the Irish word for "from", and when used in a name it means "grandson of".

There would be different branches of each family. You are most likely not related to everyone who has the same surname as you.

My last name is O'Dell because my family came from the House of Dell.
Morris Dell to be exact.
It is just an extended family name for those of years past who were proud of their family name and wanted to honor them.

Mac means 'son of' - so 'MacCarthy' means 'son of Carthy'. For daughters is was 'Nic', for wives it was 'Ui'.

O is more 'from', as in 'from the retinue of' or 'follower of'. Likewise for daughters it was 'Ni'.

The MC'S originate from the Scottish that's why,The O'S are the Irish

You have some good answers there - and if you have any ancestors with the Fitz in front of their name it means 'bastard son of...' tho in those days it wasn't a curse...

Tags
  Genoa   Florence   Bologna   Bari   Ancona   General - Ireland   Waterford   Limerick   Galway   Dublin   Cork
Related information
  • Fancy dress shops in south east Ireland?

    Tycor in Waterford and also theres a party place out in Tramore that have great costumes...theres a costume place out in the brasscock centre on the dunmore road aswell ...

    ...
  • Do you think we should start a campaign to ban people calling Ireland Southern Ireland?

    Southern Ireland, it sounds like it should be a group of islands, in the pacific, to differentiate it from its northern hemisphere counterpart. It's just Ireland, 4 provinces, 32 counties, ...

  • The Best of Ireland...?

    Well, I'm from Clare originally, although I now live in the capital Dublin & I think if you'relookin for the "real" Irish expereince, stay away from Dublin & concentrate...

  • Anyone using Yahoo India from Ireland and where in Ireland are you from?

    Yes. I am from Co. Donegal in Ireland.

    ...
  • The Red Hand of Ulster? Threat?

    Ignore any threats. Threatening someone on the web is like hair clippers for bald people... totally useless! Here is a link for you: ...

  • How much does a postman earn in ireland?

    hi im living in ireland its called an post here.this is web site will tell you bout an post,jobs available and salarys.anpost.ie.good luck

    ...
  • Pleae can i have landmarks in Ireland?

    Lakes of Killarney - really beautiful. Dingle Peninsula West Cork Cork city Knockfierna, County Limerick (near Ballingarry, County Limerick) The Stone Circle near Lough Gur Lough Gur The Bur...

  • Does anyone know of any nice hotels or b&b's near Punchestown racecourse in ireland?

    Here's the "accommodations" page on the Punchestown website: ...

  •  

    Categories--Copyright/IP Policy--Contact Webmaster