We continue our journey through John O’Donovan’s Origin and Meaning of Irish Family Names by taking a look at the influence of Anglo-Norman rule, and cruelty, in the shaping of Irish surnames so that they conform better to English pronunciation. We learn of an Act of Parliament that sought to eradicate all Irish surnames in favour of names more suitable to the English tongue, on pain of forfeiture of one’s property unless they submit to take a new name.
In Parts 2 & 3 of the series, we consider Irish surnames that were completely anglicised during the years of occupation. Some were given simple, often incorrect translations of what they thought their Irish name meant in English. O’Donovan is at pains to correct these errors, and he can hardly contain his frustration.
Thankfully, a lot has changed since the time John O’Donovan wrote his piece, as many families reclaimed their original Gaelic forms post-Independence.
