Surnames derived from Personal names

Robert E. Matheson
Special Report on Surnames in Ireland
1909
Chapter III | Start of chapter

1. The following examples may be given of Surnames derived from Personal names:—

Celtic Names

McShane,

(MacShawn—Irish. Son of John).

McFadden,

(MacPaidin—Irish. Son of little Patrick).

McAndrew,

(MacAindris—Irish. Son of Andrew).

McHugh,

(MacAedha—Irish. Son of Hugh).

McDermott,

(MacDiarmada—Irish. Son of Diarmaid).

O’Ferrall,

(O’Feargail—Irish. The descendant of Feargal).

O’Toole,

(O’Tuathail—Irish. The descendant of Tuathal)

McDonnell,

(MacDomhnaill—Irish. Son of Donall).

McKeown,

(MacEoghain—Irish. Son of Eoghan or Owen).

McRory,

(MacRuadhri—Irish. Son of Ruadhri) (Rory).

Many Surnames derived from Celtic Names are compounded with the word “Giolla”—a servant (or disciple) of—such as—

Kilbride,

(GiollaBridghid—The Servant of St. Bridget).

Gilpatrick,

(GiollaPadraic—the Servant of St. Patrick).

Gilchrist,

(GiollaChriosd—the Servant of Christ).

Gildea,

(GiollaDé—the Servant of God).

Gilfoyle,

(GiollaPhoil—the Servant of St. Paul).

Maol is also prefixed to the names of Saints, signifying a bald or tonsured person who became the spiritual servant of such Saint, as—

Maol-Dubhan [Maoldun],—the Servant of St. Dubhan. Anglicised— Muldoon.

English Names

Abraham.
Adams.
Adamson.
Davidson.
Fergus.
Ferguson.
Henry.
Jackson.
Jacob.
James.
Jameson.
Johnson.
Lawrence.
Mathews.
Paul.
Peters.
Roberts.
Robinson.
Rodgers.
Stevenson.
Thomas.
Thompson.
Williams.
Williamson.