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| For this year's challenge, my theme is The Fun in Writing. Each of my 26 posts for April is aimed at illustrating fun parts of an author's day. A writer doesn't only write. Creating a story or an essay requires research, revision, editing, and lots and lots of coffee and chocolate. |
K is for KEOGH
What's in an Irish Name?
My relatives from Tipperary, Ireland have the name McKeough. In researching the purpose of beginning a name with the prefix Mac, Mc, or O, I learned the following:
In ancient Ireland the population was much smaller than today and the mass movement of people was uncommon. It was usual therefore for a person to be known only by one name. This single name system began to break down during the eleventh century as the population was growing and there was a need for a further means of identification. The solution was to adopt a prefix such as Mac (Mc is an abbreviation) or Ó.
Mac means 'son of' whilst Ó means 'grandson of'.
My relatives moved from Ireland to Lower Canada in the 1840s. No records of movement for free emigrants to Canada were required until 1865. (The USA required these records since 1773.)
Engaging in genealogical research and writing stories based on the information garnered during the research process are my idea of finding The Fun in Writing. It isn't climbing Mount Everest or kite boarding in Kailua on O'ahu (no, that's not me on the water!) but the "high" is still there.
(K is also for Kailua and for Kite.)
Aloha Gail! I guess reading your blog answers my question - you're still on Oahu. I didn't realize you also wrote Hawaiian mysteries. If only I had known about you while my mom was still alive, she devoured mysteries. I've also associated "Mac" with Scottish names and "O'" with Irish names. Are there any "Macs" in Ireland? Maui Jungalow
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to see learn how far back our stories go, what our ancestors did, and where they came from. It's like finding buried treasure.
ReplyDeleteMary at Play off the Page
Very interesting about the Mac or O.
ReplyDeleteI love reading about peoples research into the family lines.
I am reading a book about Ireland, right now. I loved Hawaii..when I lived there. I want to trace my tree. One side is supposedly done, but so many errors-by a great aunt! Maybe after the challenge I will trace my roots! Fun post~
ReplyDeleteI spent some time two summers ago trying to discover the roots of my family tree. I got as far as my father's grandparents (mother from England... but no idea where in England) and my mother's relatives are Texan for four generations. I will keep searching because I love delving into the past; I hope to find some French ancestry :)
ReplyDeleteThat's so intersting. I knew Mac means 'son of', I didn't know O' mean 'grandson of'.
ReplyDelete@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter - Jazz Age Jazz