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Pete

I'm just someone who enjoys knowing a little about my local area, and helping others to learn about theirs too.

If you'd like to contribute to this website, please get in touch.

Collins: family name history

The surname Collins originates from Ireland’s ancient past, tracing back to the days of Gaelic tribes and the intricate web of chieftains, clans, and territories that characterized this vibrant period in Irish history. Etymology and Meaning The name Collins stems from the old Gaelic name “O’Coileain,” which translates roughly as “young...

Hughes: family name history

The surname Hughes is of ancient Celtic origin and is particularly associated with Ireland and Wales. This name was borne by numerous unrelated families in different regions of Ireland and the British Isles. Etymology and Meaning The Hughes surname is derived from the Old Germanic personal name “Hugo” or “Huw,” meaning “heart,”...

Fitzgerald: family name history

The Fitzgerald surname has deep roots in Ireland’s storied history. It is one of the oldest, most respected, and influential families in Ireland, dating back to the Norman invasion in the 12th century. Etymology and Meaning The Fitzgerald surname is a combination of the Norman personal name Gerald – from the Germanic elements “geri” or...

Thompson: family name history

Tracing the lineage of the Thompson family name takes us back to the heartlands of Scotland and Northern Ireland. Though it is now prevalent across the globe, its origins are deeply embedded in the history and traditions of the Celtic people. Etymology and Meaning The Thompson surname is a patronymic name derived from the personal name Thomas, a popular name in the...

Stewart: family name history

The Stewart surname, often associated with Scotland, has deep roots in Ireland as well. The Scottish Stewarts were descendants of the FitzAlan family, who were originally Breton nobility. Some members of this family arrived in Ireland as part of the Anglo-Norman invasion in the 12th century, while others came during the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th century...

Carroll: family name history

The surname Carroll boasts a prominent place in the rich tapestry of Irish history. Believed to have originated in the medieval period, the Carroll name is intrinsically linked with the distinct Gaelic culture of Ireland and represents a heritage of resilience and courage. Etymology and Meaning The Carroll surname finds its roots in the Gaelic names...

O’Callaghan: family name history

The surname Callaghan finds its roots in Ireland, with its oldest known forms dating back to the 10th century. It has a rich history tied deeply to the land, culture, and historical events of the Emerald Isle. Etymology and Meaning The surname Callaghan derives from the Irish Gaelic “Ó Ceallacháin,” which is a diminutive form of “ceallach,”...

Farrell: family name history

Origin of the Surname The Farrell surname is a deeply rooted Irish name with a rich and influential history in Ireland. Etymology and Meaning The surname Farrell is derived from the Gaelic “Ó Fearghail,” with “Ó” denoting “descendant of” and “Fearghail” translating to “man of valor.” Thus, Farrell embodies...

McMahon: family name history

Origin of the Surname McMahon is a distinguished Irish surname with a rich historical significance, closely tied to Ireland’s historical narrative. Etymology and Meaning The McMahon surname is an anglicized form of the original Gaelic “Mac Mathúna,” where “Mac” means “son” and “Mathúna” is derived from...

The History of the Cunningham Family Name

The Cunningham surname originated from the lands of Cunningham in North Ayrshire, Scotland. However, the name found its way to Ireland following the Norman invasion in 1169. The Irish adopted the name through a process known as Hibernicisation. Etymology and Meaning The Cunningham name has a geographical origin and comes from the district of Cunningham in Scotland...