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.