Ó Cobhthaigh

Rev Patrick Woulfe

Irish Names and Surnames

1923

Ó COBHTHAIGH—I—O Coffie, O Cohy, Coffey, Cowhey, Cowey, Cowhig, &c.; 'descendant of Cobhthach' (victorious); the name of several distinct families in different parts of Ireland, viz.: (1) Ó Cobhthaigh of Corca Laoighdhe, an ancient and once powerful family in West Cork, of the same stock as the O'Driscolls. They were seated in the barony of Barryroe, where Dun Ui Chobhthaigh, anglicised Dunocowhey, marks the site of their residence. The final g is often sounded in South Munster, hence the anglicised form Cowhig. (2) Ó Cobhthaigh of Ui Maine, of the same stock as the O'Maddens, who possessed considerable property, down to the 17th century, in the barony of Clonmacnowen, Co. Galway, and had their residence at Tuaim Catraigh, anglicised Tomcatry. (3) Ó Cobhthaigh of Umhall, anciently lords of Umhall, Co. Mayo. (4) Ó Cobhthaigh of Westmeath, a celebrated bardic family. (5) Ó Cobhthaigh of Derry, a family which produced many worthy ecclesiastics.

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