Ó Caoindealbháin

Rev Patrick Woulfe

Irish Names and Surnames

1923

Ó CAOINDEALBHÁIN—I—O Guindelane, O Kennellan, O Kenolan, O Quinelane, Kindellan, Kennellan, (Connellan), Kinlan, Kinlen, Kenlan, (Conlan), Quinlivan, Quinlan; 'descendant of Caoindealbhán' (gracefully shaped); the name of a Meath family who were chiefs of Cinel Laoghaire, near Trim, until the Anglo-Norman invasion. They derive their name and descent from Caoindealbhán (died 925), the lineal descendant of Laoghaire, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, who was King of Ireland in the time of St. Patrick. The name is still in Meath, but disguised under the anglicised forms of Connellan and Conlon; in other parts of Leinster it is anglicised Kinlan, Kinlen, &c.; and it is found in all the counties of Munster, but shortened to Ó Caoinleáin (which see), or metathesised to Ó Caoinliobháin, which see.

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