Saturday, 1 February, 2020
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Does your Irish ancestor only appear on record once? Do other records seem to match, save for the first name? If you are flummoxed by how your ancestor could have so many aliases our unique index to those elusive old boys Irish names.

We have created an index of the most common names of native, old Irish  (pre-Norman) origin that were still popular first names for boys in 19th-century Ireland. Many of these names were later disguised by Latin and English "translations". This index is particularly useful for breaking down brick walls where an individual does not appear on record as expected.

In the early 20th century, confidence in the official use of one's authentic Irish (Gaelic) personal name grew.  So, in the Census of Ireland for example, a given name may have been recorded in English in 1901, but in Irish (or alternative spelling) in 1911. 

To facilitate your Irish ancestry research, we will continue to update this index with as many known spelling variations as possible. To contribute to this resource, click HERE. 

 

IrelandXO Insight - tricky Old Irish boys' names & aliases

Introduction

READ Insights: Old Irish First Names & aliases

Index Guide

Irish Gaelic [ga]

Latinised [la] 

Anglicised [en] census link (Variations: nicknames, aliases, alternative spelling)

Please note:

The original Irish/ Gaelic is followed by how it was recorded in Latin (italics).

  • Some letters in the English alphabet do not occur in Irish.   
  • Old Gaelic names were often batched together and disguised by one shared Anglicisation.
  • To flag this, some Irish / Gaelic names (from entirely different roots) have been combined in the same box.
  • How a Gaelic name was Latinized varied (and one individual could appear under any or all in the same parish register).
  • Use of the Latin form of a Gaelic name was not exclusive to church records e.g. Thaddius.

The purple indented text indexes all known variations in English (to include nicknames). 

  • Links to the 1901 Census have been included for the most popular spelling variant. 
  • [Origin] has been included as a hint to the county of origin, where the association is significant. 

The key takeaway is, of course, that a Gaelic name could have been recorded under a variety of "translations" (one individual could have multiple aliases) depending on the transcriber. 

To add to this index, please click HERE. 

How to Search the Index

To research a particular name (without having to scroll) use the FIND function on a desktop PC. The following keyboard shortcut will open a search/ find window:

  1. Hold down the CTRL key [Mac = command].

  2. Press F.

  3. Type in the name (or part of) and press RETURN.

  4. No results? Re-try using a partial spelling of the name. 

  5. To submit a query or a suggestion, click here. 

  • Some popular Irish Gaelic boys' names won't appear on this "Old Irish" list if they were introduced later by Normans e.g. Liam / Seán 

  • Our index to Irish Christian names of Norman origin is coming soon. For notifcation, be sure to sign-up / join here.

IrelandXO Index: OLD IRISH BOYS NAMES OF GAELIC ORIGIN  

A

Aibhistín, Oistín, Águistín, Abhuistín, Ágaistín.

Augustinus, Augustus

Augustine, Austin, Gus, Gusty, Gussie,  Gussy, Austey

Ailbe 

Albertus

Albert, Elvis, Ailbe, Bertie, Albin, Ailbhe, Alby, Albie, Bert, Burt.

Aodh          

Hugo , Hugonis, Hugones

Hugh, Hubert, Herbert, Aidan, Aiden, Aedh, Hughie, Huey,    Aedán, Ádhán, Aden,  Hewdie, Huedy, Hiúdaí.

Aodhán   Edanus

Aidan, Moses,  Mogue, Aedan, Ayden, Aodan,  Aydin, Aydan, Adyn,  Aidyn,  Aedyn, Aogán, Aodhagán, Aodhgan.

[see also: Maodhóg below]

Aonghas   

Antonius, Anthoni

Angus, Aonas, Anthony  Aeneas, Eneas, Ennis, Enos, Gus,   Aonghus, Anton, Aengus, Ant, Angaidh.

[see also: Naos below]

Airt

Arturius, Artorius

Art, Arthur, Artúr, Artie, Arty,  Addie, Ady.

B

Beairtle, Bartlí / Partalán 

Bartholomaeus

Bartholomew, Bartle, Bart, Bartie, Bertie, Bartley, Bartly, Batt, Bat, Barty,  Barthow.,  Bartow.,  Partalón, Partholón

Breandán

Brendanus

Brendan , Brendon, Brenden

Brian

Bernardus / Barnabus / Boeticus

Bryan, Bernard, Barnaby, Barney, Brien

C

Cairbre

Carbery, Carbry、 Carberry, Carbary

Caoimhín

Kevin, Cian, Kevan, Kevyn

Cian 

Keane, Cain, Charles

Cathal 

Carolus Carlus

Charles, Cahal, Charlie, Charley, Sorley;  Chas. Cha's, Charlo, Carrol, Carl, Karl,

[see also: Cearbhall below]

Cearbhall

Carolus Carlus

Carrol, Charles, Carl, Karl, Cearbhaill, Charles, Charlie, Charley, Sorley; Chas. Cha's, Charlo

Ciarán

Kyrianus

Kieran, Ciar, Kieron, Kerne, Cairn, Kierrin, Kyran, Kieren, Cairan, Kernan

Cillian

Killian

Conal

Nicholas

Colin, Collin

Colmán, Colm

Columba

Coleman, Colman Callum

Conchúr

Cornelius, Constantinus

Conor, Connor, Conchubhar, Con, Constantine, Conn, Connie, Conny

Conn

Cornelius, Constantinus

Con, Constantine, Conn, Connie, Conny, Nialus

Conall

Cornelius, Constantine

Connell, Con, Conal, Coneily, Condy, Condaí, Conn, Connie,  Conny, Condie, Condey.

Cionnaith

Kenneth, Canice, Kenny, Coinneach

Cormac

Corneilius, Cormacus

Cormack, Charles, Cor, Corly, Corey, Corrie Neily, Neilus, Neil Cormick, Cormk.

Cúmhaí

Cooey, Quentin,  Hughey, Quintin, Quinton, Conmhaighe

[Origin: Derry]

D

Daire 

Darra, Darragh, Dara, Darach, Darragh

Déaglán 

Declani Declanus

Declan, Declán 

Diarmaid

Demetrius / Dermicius

Dermot, Darby, Jeremiah, Jerome, Jerry, Derry, Diarmuid

Donnacha, 

Donaldus, Duvenaldus

Denis, Donncha, Donny, Donnie, Dinnis, Dinny, Dinnie, Den, Don, Donie, Donal,  Donaghy  Donough, Donnchadh, Donnchad, Donnchadha, Dúnchad, 

Donnabhán   

Dyonisius, Dionisius 

Donovan Denis, Donncha, Donny, Donnie, Dinnis, Dinny, Dinnie, Den, Don, Donie, Donal

Dónall 

Danielus, Danieli,  Donaldus, Donatius

Donald, Daniel, Donal, Dan, Danny, Donny, Donnie, Don, Donie, Donat, Domhnall, David (handwriting error)

Dúghlas

Douglas, Doug, Douggie, Dougy,  Dubhghlas

E

Éamon, Éanna

Edmundus Eduardus

Edmond, Enda, Edward, Edmund, Ed, Eddie, Eddy, Ned, Neddy, Edwin, Edm., Edw.  Éamonn

Éibhear, Íomhar

Heberus Eberous Iberus

Ever, Heber, Ivor, Iobhar, Ivarr

[Origin: Ulster]

Eoin  

Eugenus  Oenus  Owenus

Eugene, Owen, Eoghan

F

Fachtna 

Fachtanus

Festus, Festy, Festie, Factnan 

Feargal 

Furgallum 　Fergallus 　Fernaldus Ternaldus

Farrell, Fergal, Ferdinand,  Virgil, Fergie, Fergy / Ferdie, Fardy, Farrill, Ferrigal, Farrigal, Farage. Farrelle, Fregal

Feardorcha 

Fredericus Fridericus

Frederick, Ferdinand, Fred, Freddie, Freddy Ed, Eddie, Eddy / Rick, Ricky

Fearghas 

Fergusius

Fergus, Ferdinand
Fardy, Fergie, Fergy, Gus, Gusty, Gustie, Gussy

Féilim, Feidhlimidh  

Fidelmius  Fedlimius, Fidelmidius Fedlimidius

Phelim, Felix,  Phillip. Phelimy, Felimy Pheily, Phil, Philly, Phelen, Phelan / Pilib, Phalim, Phelam, Phelem, Pheliam, Phelem, Phelm, Phelum. Felim,

Fionbarra, Barra

Finnbarrus

Finbar, Barry, Fionnbharr

Fion, Finín    

Finnius, Finnianus Fionanus, Fingenus  Finginus 

Finn, Fineen, Florence, Florrie, Florry, Flor, Fionan, Finnan, Finnian, Finghín, Finneen, Finnin

Fiontán   

Fintanus

Fintan  / Fenton, Ferdinand

Flann, Flannán, Fitheal 　　　

Flannus, Flannanus

Flan, Florence, Flannan, Florence, Florrie, Florry, Flor, Fithcheallach

Fiach/ Feichín 

Fiacrus Fiachus  Fiachrius Festus /Fechinus

Festus, Feagh, Fiachra, Fiacre

G

Giolla Íosa 

Gilisius

Gill / Giles, Gillisa, Gillessa

Giolla na Naomh 

Sanctianus

Nehemiah 

Glaisne 

Glasnaeus

Glasny, Glas, Glass

I

Iognáid 

Ignatious  Agnetious

Ignatious

Iarlaith 

Irlathus

Jarlath

Irial 

Irilaus

Earl, Errol

L

Lachtna

Lucius 

Lucius, Luke

Lúcán

Lucanus

Lucan, Luke

Laoiseach, Laoighseach

Lucius

Lysagh, Lucius, Louis, Lewis

Lochlainn, Leachlain

Lochlunius

Loughlan, Loughlin,  Lackey, Lacky, Lachy, Lanty, Larry, Luke, Luis, Laurence, Lawrence, 

Lomán, 

Lomanus,

Loman

Lonán

Lonanus 

 Lonan

Lorcán

Lorcanus

Lorcan, Lawrence

Lughaidh  

Lugadius

Lorcan, Lewis, Louis, Aloysius, Louey

M

Maodhóg    

Maidocus

Aidan, Moses,  Mogue, Aedan, Ayden, Aodan,  Aydin, Aydan, Adyn,  Aidyn,  Aedyn, Aogán, Aodhagán, Aodhgan.

Manus   

Magnus  

Magnus, Maonus, Manis, Mannas, Mannus, Manues, Manas, Mannasses,  Mannassas, Manasus, Manaus, Mances, Manacus, Mandy, Manty,   Mundy,    Manes, Mangas, Manns, Maney, Manney 

[Origin: Donegal/ Derry]
Maolbheannachta  

Benedictus  

Benedict, MacDara, McDara

[Origin hint: Galway]

Mathghamhain 

Mathgamanius

Magown, Matthew, McGown, Matt, Matty, Mattie 

Maolmórdha   

Maelmorus

Myles, Miles, Milles, Mills, Moyles, Meles, Males, Maolir,  Meyler, Mylerus, Milerus,  Meyles, Mylie 

Maolmhuire 

Maelmarius 

Miles, Myles, Mortimer Meyler, Milo, Miles, Myles   Morty, Murthy

Maolmuiris  

Maelmarius 

Maurice, Morgan, Mortimer Meyler, Milo, Miles, Myles   Morty, Murthy

Maolsheachlainn, Maeleachlain   

Malachi, Malachius 

Loughlin, Malachy 

Melachlin, Malachy, Lacky, Malachey, Malichy, Malicky, Mallachy, Malochy, Mallaghan, Millican,  Michelan, Lackey, Lachey, Myles, Miles, Maoileachlainn, Melaghlin, Laughlin, Lanty, Milo 

Maolcholaim  

Malcolmus 

Malcolm, Malcom, Malcohn, Malchom 

[Origin: Northern Ireland]

Muirgheas | Muiris 

Murgessius | Mauritius

Maurice, Morris, Morries, Mouris, Morros, Marice, Maruice, Maurace,    Maurce, 

[Origin: Kerry, Cork & Limerick] 

Muircheartach  

Murchertachus 

Murtaugh, Mortimer  Murty

Murchadh   

Murchadus 

Murrough, Morgan, Murty

Muiríoch, Muireadhach

Murry, Murray, Mury, Mary, 

N

Naomhán

Sanctanus

Nevin, Nevan

Naos

Aonghus, Niece, Nicholas, Nace, Nence, Neece, Neese,

[Origin hint: Ulster]

Neasán, Nassán

Nesanus

Nason, Nassan

Niall, Néil, Niallán

Niallanus Nigellus

Neil, Nicholas, Niallus, Niellus, Nellus, Neal, Nei, Nigel

O

Odhrán 

Odranus / Otteranus

Oran, Otheran, Orn

Oisín 

Ossenus

Ossian, Ossin

Oscar   

Osgerus

Osgur

R    

Raghnall  

Raganaldus/ Reginaldus Randlphus  

Reginald, Ronald, Randal, Raonall, Randall, Randolph, Ralph, Rághnall

Ronán 

Ronanus 

Ronan, Rownan

Ros 

Rossius

Ross, Rossa

Ruairí, Ruaidhrí, Ránall, 

Rodericus, Rudericus

Rory, Roderick, Roger, Roddy, Randal, Ronald, Raghnall, Roddy, Ragnaill, 

S 

Saerbhreathach  

Justinus

Justin, Justan, Justyn, Justen, Juston, Justinian

[Origin: Cork] 

Séadna 

Sedanus, Sedonius, Sidonius 

Sidney, Sydney, Sydny, Sidny

Seannán , Sionnán, 

Senanus 

Senan, Sennan, Synan, Sinon, Sinan, 

[Origin: Clare]

Somhairle 

Somerledus

Sorley 

[Origin: Antrim]

Suibhne  

Suibneus

Sivney, Simon, Silvester, Sylvester, Selvester, Silvy 

T  

Tadhg   

Thaddeus, Thadius, Timotheus

Timothy, Tim , Thady, Thade, Theady, Thaddy, Tade, Teague, Teige, Taidhgin 

Toirdhealbhach  

Tordelvachus, Tobias,Terentius, Terricus

Turlough, Terence,  Charles, Terry, Traolach, Tarla,Tarlach, Toirealach, Turlough, Tirlough

Tighnearnach, Tighearnán

Tigernachus, Tigernanus

Tiernan, Tiernach,Tierney 

Tomhaltach 

Tomaltachus, Tumultachus 

Tumelty, Timothy, Tobaltagh 

Tuathal 

Tuathalius,Tulius 

Tully, Toal   

[Origin: Donegal]

U

Uaithne

Antonius

Owney, Anthony, Uaitne, Hewney, Oney, Oynie, Onney, Antony

Ultán

Ultanus

Ultan, Ulty, Ultin, Ulten, Uleten, Ulteena

Over to you...

Got any of these names in your family tree? We'd love if you added them to our Ancestors roll-call here:

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What Next?

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READ MORE  Irish Naming & Baptism Traditions |  Irish Surnames 101

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