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 |