All surnames do or did exist in Ireland at some stage and some still are, maybe you have a (estimated) date so that we can have a closer look at the  people that you are looking for ?

Carnes... possibly 1300
Carruthers & Callbeck maybe prior to their arrival in Prince Edward Island 1700

The shannons I have no idea. I am not sure in what wave they left Ireland. I figure they must be from near Limerick or Foynes but not sure.

There are not too many records in Ireland from before 1700 unless they were registered under the Peerage of Ireland or  were otherwise very important folks.

Even if they names hailed from England finding records will be a task for  around 1300 as we only depend on pieces that might be written about certain families, and families recording their own ancestry (often changed a bit to their own liking ) What we could find is mostly from old books and almanacs.

My advise would be to start with your husbands great grandmother and try to work your way back in time as far as possible.  Civil registration in Ireland did not come in to place till 1864, for records before then we depend on Church records that might be available in some cases

What else do you know about them ? First names ?

Phillips Callbeck (c. 1744 ? January 28, 1790) was a merchant, lawyer and political figure in St. John's Island (later Prince Edward Island). He served as administrator for the island from 1775 to 1780.

Callbeck is believed to have been born and educated in Ireland. He arrived on the island from England around 1770 and was named to the first legislative council by Governor Walter Patterson. He was named attorney general and probate judge in the same year. He also operated a mill and owned a store. Callbeck was taken prisoner by New England privateers in 1775, shortly after being named colonial administrator during Patterson's absence. He was released and returned to the island by May 1776. After Patterson's return, Callbeck supported the seizure and sale of several townships for arrears. He ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the provincial assembly in 1784; he was named speaker for the assembly in 1788. After criminal charges were brought against Patterson in London, Callbeck was removed from office in 1789. He died in Charlottetown in 1790.

His grandson Henry Callbeck later served in the provincial assembly.

Source : http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=1790

Area - DUBLIN (COI) , Parish/Church/Congregation - ST. LUKE

Baptism of JOSEPH CALLBECK of N/R on 14 November 1728

Area - DUBLIN (COI) , Parish/Church/Congregation - ST. LUKE

Baptism of MARY CALLBECK of N/R on 10 May 1735

Area - DUBLIN (COI) , Parish/Church/Congregation - ST. LUKE

Baptism of SAMUELL CALLBECK of N/R on 8 January 1734

More records : http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/search.jsp?namefm=…

The name Callbeck is only recorded in the counties Dublin and Carlow

The earliest record found is that from Isreall Colback (sic)

Area - DUBLIN (COI) , Parish/Church/Congregation - ST. AUDOEN

Baptism of ISRAELL COLBACK of N/R on 23 October 1676

http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/reels/d-116-1-1-016.pdf

My guess is that the surname has changed in to Callbeck at some stage during emigration and that it could originate from Sweden or Germany

Do you think it may be from the Viking raids?

Ok... Cairnes/Carnys there is a rumor that someone sold property in Renfrewshire, Scotland and moved to Ireland. That was about King James time period. Some how James was related just not sure how.

There could be a connection to Northern Ireland for the Cairnes. Plantation of Ulster , the Plantation started in 1606 organised by James I. Scottish and Englis people were brought over to populate and educate the Irish in the Northern counties. Will check this out for you .

Do you mean King James I of Scotland 1394 - 1437  or King James VI 19 June 1566 ? 27 March 1625

More then likely much later , the first  Viking attacks in Ireland happened in the year 795

Brian Boru who took high kingship of Ireland defeated the Vikings in 1014, some Vikings stayed and married and integrated , some typical Viking names were McLoughlin and McIvar , dont think Cairnes and simular names  fit this picture

Phillips is my several times great grandfather.

He was taken hostage by Washington's Navy... and released once General Washington found out.

King James I, I believe it is he in the story.

The ulster plantation was my first guess... but it doesn't make sense if it was 1300's. I feel bad about that situation... it was a horrible deal for the Irish families that were put out.

Like I said before, if you would like to find your Irish roots you might be better of to start with more recent people instead of the year  1300 , it is just to sketchy to find a lot of information.

I'm also trying to find out information about  my Shannon family my Mothers maiden name, I do have my Grandfather Murty Shannon's birth certificate which does state that his father Patrick Shannon was born in Clare in 1837 but have no other information ultil he married in Victoria Australia around 1874.

I to am looking into the surname of Carnes as I have followed William Carnes back to Ireland and I believe it was in the late 1700's or early 1800's. Any help would be of so much value to me and my work with genealogy in regards to my Family, Thanks.   JESSICA MARIE