FAMILY NAME VARIATIONS
CAREY
Gaelic: O'Ciardha
Common
variations: O'Keary, Carr, Keary, MacCary, Currane, Kerin
The
name Carey is now numerous and widespread in Ireland. But it is more prevalent
in the Munster counties of Cork, Kerry, and Tipperary than elsewhere. Carey
is an anglicized form of the Gaelic - O'Ciardha. They were an ancient sept
whose chiefs were lords of Carbury in Co. Kildare until they were dispersed
by Anglo-Norman invaders in the late 12th century. The name Carey is widespread
in Ireland, especially in Cork, Kerry, and Tipperary.
HICKEY
Gaelic: O'hIchidhe
Common
variations: Hicky, Hickie, Hicks, Hickson
The
name comes from the Gaelic iceadh, which means healer. The name is numerous
in Co. Limerick and northern Tipperary, as well as its place of origin,
east- and mid-Clare. The O'Hickeys traditionally claim descent from the
Hereditary Physicians to the O'Briens, Kings of Thomond. Much of the family's
land around Quin, Co. Clare was confiscated in Tudor times.
LEDDIN
Gaelic: O'Loideain
Common
variations: O'Leddan, which is a Munster variant of Liddane, Laden, Leyden,
Lydon, (O) Lydon. Other forms are Leyden in Connacht and Clare, and Liddane
mainly in Co. Clare.
HARRIGAN
Gaelic: O'hArragain
Common
variations: O'Harrigan - when found is south and east Munster this is usually
a variant of Horgan, or O'Horgan - a Co. Cork name; Hourigan in Co. Limerick,
and sometimes Arragan in south Waterford and Tipperary.
KENNEDY
Gaelic: O’Cinneide
Common
variations:
The
Kennedys trace their descent from the 11th century, and regard Cinneide,
nephew of Brian Boru, thee Irish King, as their primal ancestor. They were
an important Dalcassian sept of east Clare. They lived in Co. Clare until
driven out by O'Briens and MacNamaras, leaving behind them the civil parish
of Killokennedy. From there, they spread through Ireland, particularly
the counties to the south. They settled in north Tipperary and as far south
as Wexford, where the ancestors of President John F. Kennedy originated.
DUANE
Gaelic: O'Dubhain
Common
variations: Dwayne, Divane, Devane
This
is usually anglicized Dwane in west Munster, Downes in Thomond, and Duane
in Connacht. There were several septs of O’Dubhain, the two of importance
being of Corca Laoidhe and south Connacht.
ALLEN
Gaelic: Allen is usually Scotch or English, sometimes O'hAillin in Offaly and Tipperary.
Common
variations: Alyn, Hallion, occasionally also in Co. Tipperary Allen is
a synonym of Hallinan.
MORRISSY
Gaelic: O'Muirgheasa
Commmon
variations: Morrissey
The
name may also be of Norman descent - de Marisco.
CULLINANE
Gaelic: O'Cuileannain (probably from cuileann, holly)
Common
variations: Quillinane, Culhane, Cullen
A
branch of the Corca Laoidhe. In Clare and Tipperary the spelling is Cullinane
and sometimes Quillinane. Another sept of Donegal have become Cullen.