Roots Ireland

Find your Irish Ancestors today with the Irish Family History Foundation online research service

Login Register Subscribe

Special Offer - 25% Discount on Annual Subscriptions until midnight Irish time on 31st March,
New Limerick Records Added : RC Baptisms and marriages 1901-1915; 1766 heads of households; CI Gravestone inscriptions; Wills; Evicted Tenants, national school teachers; WW1 Casualties; Vehicle Owners and more
Learn more about your Irish and Scots-Irish Ancestors in 2023 with the Ulster Historical Foundation
New records for Kerry: Dromtariffe marriages, 1832-1899 (1,806 records)

List of Surname Histories compiled by Brian Mitchell

I have compiled concise, one-page histories (c. 500 words) of 386 surnames, of Gaelic and Planter origin, which are most closely associated, through numerical strength or uniqueness, with North West Ireland (in this instance counties Derry, Donegal, Fermanagh and Tyrone).

One-page Surname Histories have been compiled for Surnames and Surname Variants highlighted in bold type (e.g. Kane and O’Kane; Hassan and Hasson; Sheils, Shields and Shiels, etc.). These surnames and linked names are recorded in the database of church and civil registers, dating from 1628 to 1930, created by Derry Genealogy which is now accessible online at www.derry.rootsireland.ie.

To read the surname histories click this link:

https://rootsireland.ie/derry/surname-history.php

These family histories are free to view at no cost and with no limit to those with a current subscription:

Surname Recorded Variants of Surname in North West Ireland
Abernethy
Anderson
Andrews Andrew
Armstrong Armestronge, Armstronge
Barr Bar, Bare, Barre
Beattie Batey, Baitey, Battie, Beatty
Begley Beagley, Beglay, Bigley
Black Blacke
Bonner Bannar, Bonar, Boner, Bonnor
Boyd Boid, Boide, Boyde
Boyle Aboyl, Boil, Boile, Boyl, O’Boyle
Bradley Braddly, Bradely, Bradly, Braidly
Breslin Bracelan, Braceland, Braislan, Bresland, Bryce
Brolly Brally, Brauley, Brawly, Browley
Brown Broun, Browen, Browne
Buchanan Bucanan, Bucannon, Buchannan, Buckanan
Burns Burn, Burne, Burnes
Caldwell Callwell, Calwill, Cauldwell, Cawlwell
Campbell Cambel, Camble, Cammel, Campble
Canning Caning, Canninge, Channing
Carlin Carland, Carlane, Karland, Karlin
Carton Cartan, Carten, Cartin
Cassidy Casedy, Cashady, Casiday, Kasidy
Cavan Caven, Keevan, Kieven
Clark Clarke, Clarks, Clerk
Clyde Clyd, Clide
Cochrane Caughrin, Cocharan, Cocherin, Cockerane
Colhoun Cahoon, Colhoune, Colquhoun, Culhoon
Conn Conne
Convery Confery, Confrey, Convry
Conway Cannaway, Conaway
Corr Coor, Cor, Curr
Cowan Cowen, Cowin, Cown
Coyle Coil, Coile, Coyl, Koyle
Craig Crag, Crage, Crague, Craigge
Crawford Crafford, Crauford, Crawfort
Crilly Chrilly, Crealy, Creilly, Crely
Crossan Chrosson, Macrossan, McAcrossan, McCrossan
Crumley Crimley, Cromly, Crumaly, Crumbley
Crumlish Cremlish, Crimblisk, Crimlesk, Cromlish
Cunningham Conaghan, Conahan, Coonachan, Conyingham, Cunnenghan
Curran Corin, Corran, Curin, Currens
Darcy D’Arcy, Darcey, Dorcey
Deeney Deeny, Diney, Dinny
Deery Dairy, Deary, O’Derrie
Devenney Davenny, Devany, Devenay, Devenny
Devine Davine, Deven, Divin, Divine, O’Devine
Devlin Develin, Devlahan, Divelin, O’Devlin
Diamond Diemont, Dimond, Dymond, O’Diamond
Diver Dever, Devir, Difer, Divver
Doherty Daugherty, Docherty, Dogherty, Dougherty, O’Dogherty, O’Doherty
Donaghy Donachie, Donaghey, Donahey, McDonagh
Donnell Donal, Donnall
Donnelly Donaly, Donely, Donily, Donly
Downey Donay, Douny, Downie
Duddy Duddie, Dudey, O’Duddy
Duffy Duffie, Dufy, O’Duffy
Dunlop Donlop, Dunlap, Dunlope
Edwards Edward, Edwardes
Elliott Eliot, Ellet, Elliotte
Farren Fairan, Faran, Fearan, Fearn
Fee Afee, Fea, Fey, Fie, Foy
Feeney Feaney, Feeny, Fieney, Finnay
Ferguson Fargison, Fergison, Forgison
Ferry Fairy, Fearey, Ferrie
Fleming Flemin, Fleminge, Flemming
Friel Freal, Freel, Freil, Friele
Gallagher Galachar, Galaher, Golligher, Kallagher
Gallen Galen, Gallan, Gallin, Gallon
Gillanders
Gillen Gilan, Magillan, McGillan, McGillen
Gillespie Galespie, Gillaspey, Killespie
Gilligan Gillagan, Magilligan, McGilligan
Gilliland Gililan, Gillylan, Gileyland
Gormley Gormly, Gormally, Grimbly
Graham Gragham, Grahames
Grant
Hamill Hamel, Hamil, Hammill
Hamilton Hambelton
Hampson Hampsey, Hampshey, Hansey, Hanson, Hansen
Hanna Hana, Hanagh, Hannay
Hargan Horgan, O’Hargan
Harkin Harkan, Harkins, Horkan
Harrigan Haragan, Haraghan, Herrigan
Harrison Hareson, Herison
Harron Haran, Harn, Heron, Herron
Hassan Hasan, Hassin, Hasson
Heaney Hainey, Haney, Heany, Heeney
Hegarty Hagarty, Haggarty, Heagherty
Henderson Hendarson, Hendyson, Hinderson
Henry Henery, McHenry, McKendry
Houston Hewston, Houghston, Howston, Huston
Hughes Hews, Hues, Hughs, Huws
Hunter
Hutchinson Huchinson, Hutchison, McHucheon, McHutchinson
Inch
Irvine Ervin, Irving
Irwin Erewin, Errwin, Erwing, Irwing
Jackson Jacson
Jameson Jamieson, Jamison, Jemmison, Jemyson
Johnson Johnsonne, Jonson
Johnston Johnstan, Johnstone, Johnstoun, Johnstown
Jones Joans, Jonnes
Kelly Kally, Keley, Kellie, Killy
Kennedy Kenadey, Kenedie
Kerr Carr, Keer, Keir, Ker
Killen McKellin, McKillen, McKillion
Kitson Kitchen, Kitsen, Kittson
Lafferty Laverty, Lefarty, Leverty, Liferty
Little Lettle, Lightle, Lytle, Lyttle
Logue Loag, Loage, Louge, Loge
Long Longe, Longs
Lyle Liele, Lile, Lisle
Lynch Linch, Linsh, Lynche
Magee McGee, McGhee, Megee
Maguire McGuire, McGwire, McQuire
Martin Martan, Marten, Martine
Maxwell Maxewell, Maxwill
Mellon Mallon, Melan, Mellian
Millar Miller, Myler
Milligan Melican, Melligan, Milliken, Mulligan
Mitchell Michel, Mitchael, Mitchil
Montgomery Magomery, McGomery, Montgumery
Moore Moor, Moores, Mor, More, Muir
Moran Marrin, Meran, Mirran, Morrin
Morrison Moressin, Morisan
Mulholland Macholland, McElholland, Molhollan, Mulhalan
Mullen Mollan, Mulean, Mulin, Mullan
Murphy Murfey, Murphay
Murray Morey, Morrie, Murey
McAfee Macafee, Mahaffy, McFee, Mehaffey
McAllister McCallister, McClestor, McLister
McAteer Matier, McAtyre, McEteer, McTeer
McBrearty McBrairty, McBreirty, McBrerty, McBrirty
McBride
McCafferty Macaferty, McAferty, McCaverty, McKafferty
McCaffrey McAfrey, McCaffer, McCaffray, McCawfrey
McCallion Macallion, McAlion, McCalan
McCann Macann, McAnn, McConn
McCarron Macarran, McArran, McCarin, McCarn
McCartney Macartney, McArtney, McCarteny, McKartney
McCauley Macally, McAula, McAuley, McAwley, McKally
McCausland McAshlin, McAsland, McCaslan
McCawell McCawl, McCawal
McCay Kee, Keys, Keyes, Mackay, Mackey, Mackie, McCoy, McCue, McHugh, McKay, McKee, McKie
McClay McAlea, McClea, McIlee
McClean McLain, McLane, McLean
McClelland McClalland, McClellan, McLelan, McLelland
McClintock McClintoch, McClintough, McLintoc
McCloskey Macloskie, McCluskey, McLoskey
McColgan Macolgan, McColgin
McConnell Maconnel, McCannel, McChonell, McConal
McConnellogue Connelogue, Maconelogue, McConaloag, McConalogue,
McConomy McConamay, McConaway, McConway
McCool Macool, McCoal, McCole, McCuil
McCorkell McCorkill, McKorkell
McCormick Macormac, Macormic, McCarmick, McCormack
McCorriston McCorristen, McCurristin
McCourt Macourt, McCort, McQuort
McCracken Macrackin, McCrakin, McKracken
McCrea Macreagh, McCrae, McCray, McRae
McCready Macready, McAready, McCreadie
McCullagh Macullow, McCulloch, McCullogh, McCullough, McCully
McCurdy Macurdy, McCurdie, McMurty, McMurtry
McCutcheon McCustion, McCutchen, McHutcheon, McKitchen, McQuiston
McDaid McDade, McDeade, McDavid, McDavit, McDevitt
McDermott McDermaid, McDermont, McDeyermott, McDiarmed
McDonald MacDonald, McDonal, McDonnell
McDowell Madole, McAdool, McDoal, McDowal
McEldowney McEldony, McIldowney
McElhinney Mackelhiney, McAlenny, McElenay, McEleney, McIlany
McElhone Mackeloan, McElhoan, McIlhone, McKilhone
McElwee Macelwee, McGilloway, McIlwee, Mucklewee
McErlean Macarlane, McErlain, McErlane, McNerland, McNerlin
McFadden McFadin, McFayden, McPhadden
McFall Macfaul, McFaul, McPaul, McPoyle, Mulfall
McFarland McFarlane, McParland, McPartland, McPartlin
McFeely McFealy, McFeeley, McFehilly, McPheely
McFetridge McFatrick, McFatridge, McFetrich, McPhetridge
McGarrigle McGaragal, McGaragill, McGargil, McGerigal
McGarvey Magarvey, McGarvie, McGervay
McGeady McGaddy, McGeddie
McGeehan Mageeghan, McGehan, McGeechen
McGettigan McEttigan, McGatigan, McGetikin
McGinley Maginley, McGinely, McGinnelly
McGinty Magintey, McGenity, McGinaty
McGirr Magerr, McGure, McKerr
McGlinchey Maglinchy, McGlenchy, McGlinchy, McGlinshey
McGoldrick Magolrick, McGoalrick
McGonagle Magonagal, McGongal, McGonigle, McGonnigal,
McGowan Magown, McGaun, McGoan, McGoun
McGrath Magra, Magrath, McGraw
McGregor Magregor, McGreggar, McGriggor
McGuigan McGoogan, McGookin, McGuckian, McGuicken, McQuiggan and McWiggin
McGuinness Maginess, McGenis, McGinnes, McGinnis, McGuiness
McGurk Magurk, McGirk, McQuirk
McIlfatrick McElfatrick, McElphatrick, McIlfatridge
McIntyre McAntire, McEntire, McIntire, McIntier
McIvor McIver, McKeever
McKelvey McKelvie, McKilvy
McKenna McCanna, McKeney, McKenny
McKinley Makinley, McInly, McKenley
McKinney Makinny, McKinnie
McKnight McNatt, McNaught, McNaughton, McNutt
McLaughlin Maglaghlin, McGlaghlin, McLaughlan, McLoughlin
McMahon McMaghan, McMahan, McMaughan
McManus McMains, McManes, McMannus
McMenamin McManamay, McManamon, McMenamy
McMillan McMillen, McMullan, McMullen
McMonagle McManagle, McMongle, McMonigal, McMonigle
McNamee McAnamee, McNamie, McNemee
McNeill Macneil, McNeal, McNiel
McNelis McAneilis, Nelis, Neilus
McNulty McAnulty, McEnulty, McNultie
McPeake McPake, McPike, Peake
McRory Macrory, McCrory, McGrory
McShane McShain, McShawn
McWhirter Mawhirter, Mawhurter, McWherter, McWhorter
McWilliams
Neill Neal, Neel, Niel
Nixon Nickson
Noble Nobell
O’Brien O’Brian, O’Brine, O’Bryan
O’Connor Connor
O’Donnell O’Donel
O’Hagan Hagan, Heggan
O’Hara O’Harah, O’Harra
O’Kane Cain, Kane, O’Cahan, O’Kain
O’Neill O’Nail, O’Neal, O’Neel
O’Reilly O’Realey, O’Rieley, Reilly, Riely,
Orr Oar, Or
Parkhill Parkehill, Parkill
Patterson Paterson, Pattison
Patrick Patricke
Patton Patan, Petton, Peyton
Peoples Peeples, Peopels
Porter
Quigg Quig
Quigley Coghley
Quinn Quin
Rankin Ranckin, Ranking
Roberts Robert
Robertson
Robinson Robison
Ross
Scobie Scoby
Scott Scot
Scroggie Scroggy
Scullion Scullin, Skullian
Shiels Sheils, Shields
Simmons Simans, Simmonds
Simms Sims
Simpson Symson
Smith Smithe, Smyth, Smythe
Starrett Starritt, Sterrett, Sterritt
Stevenson Stephenson, Steenson, Stinson
Sterling Stirling
Stewart Steward, Stuart
Sweeney McSwine, McSweeney, Sweeny
Taggart McEntaggart, McTaggart
Taylor Tailor
Thompson Thomson, Tomson
Tohill Toaghill, Tochil, Toghil, Tohal
Tolan Toland, Toolan
Toner Tonnar
Walker
Ward McAward, McWard, Warde
Watson
White Whight, Whyte, Wight
Williams William
Williamson
Wilson Willson
Young Younge

 

 

Search Co. Derry Records

Co. Derry / Londonderry

  • Derry Genealogy
  • Exploring your Derry~Londonderry Ancestors
  • Derry Surnames
    • Surname History Introduction
    • List of Surname Histories
    • Top 60 Surnames of Derry City
  • Place
  • Place Names List Information
  • Derry Place Names List
  • Derry Church Records
    • Roman Catholic
    • Church of Ireland
    • Presbyterian
  • Civil Birth & Marriage Records
  • Gravestone Inscriptions
  • 1901 Census
  • Census Substitutes
  • Books

Counties Online

Select your county from the map below

Online Now Not Online

View Larger Map

  • Home
  • Search
  • My Account
  • Search by County
  • Newsletters
  • Blog and News
  • Help
  • About Us
  • Contact our Centres
  • Terms and Conditions

Roots Ireland offers access to a unique database of more than 23 million Irish records

Irish Family History Foundation
Email: enquiries@rootsireland.ie

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 Irish Family History Foundation ... All Rights Reserved

Design by Fingerprint Digital Media ... Powered by BRS Genealogy