Index of Names in Irish Annals: Masculine Descriptive Bynames

by Mari Elspeth nic Bryan (Kathleen M. O'Brien)

This list is sorted in alphabetical order by Gaelic forms.

Note: Bynames that have a * next to them, are used to refer to at least 10 different people.

Go to descriptive bynames whose substantive element begins with:

Bynames used in Reference to Legendary Figures


Ainsheasccar	[the] Unquiet/Restless
Alánd, Alánn / Alann	[the] Comely
Albanach	Scottish
Almaineach	German
Amhreaidh	[the] Quarrelsome/Contentious
na nAmus	[of] the Onsets/Attacks
Anabaidh	[the] Abortive	("He was so called because he was born before his time.")
Ard	[the] Tall (Height)
Ardchend, Ardchenn	[the] High-headed / Lofty-headed

Bacach	[the] Lame
Baclamhach	[the] Lame-handed
Baile Dalad	[of] Baile Dalad
Balbh	[the] Stammerer
Ballach *	[the] Freckled
Bán	[the] White/Fair
Bearnach	[the] Gapped[-Tooth]	(missing front teeth)
Becc/Beag *	[the] Small
Bennan	[unknown]
an Bhogáin	[of] the Shell-less Egg	(meaning "[of] the Premature Birth")
an Bhothair	[of] the Road
Bocc	[the] Soft
Bocht	[the] Poor
na mBocht	[of] the Poor	(refers to supporting paupers - a measure of piety)
Bodhar	[the] Deaf
Boircech	rich in bulls or stags (?)
Boirneach	Burren[-ish]	(a rocky district, now a barony in Co. Clare)
Bóroma	either a reference to a placename or "cattle-tribute"
Bradach	[the] Thievish
brathair	[the] Friar
Breathnach	Welsh
Brecc	[the] Speckled/Spotted	(probably meaning "unusually heavily freckled")
Bregh	[of] Bregia	(a territorial and population name roughly co-extensive with Co. Meath and north Co. Dublin)
Bregach/Breaghach	Bregia[-n]/Bregia[-ish]	(refers to Bregia - a territorial and population name roughly co-extensive with Co. Meath and north Co. Dublin)
Bregmainech	[of] Brawnie	(an ancient territory, now a barony in Co. Westmeath)
Breifneach	[the] Breifne[-ian]/Breifne[-ish]	(a district corresponding (roughly) to the counties of Cavan and Leitrim)
Buidhe *	Yellow
na Buile	[of] the Madness
na mBuilleadh	[of] the Blows

Cáel / Caol	[the] Slender
na gCailleach	[of] the Nuns/Hags
Cairbreach	Carbery[-ian]/Carbery[-ish]
Caircheach	[the] Hairy/Tufted
na Cairrce	[of] the Rock
Camm/Cam *	[the] Crooked	(refers to posture)
Canonach	[the] Canon	(a religious reference)
Caoch	[the] Blind (one-eyed)
Caomhánach	[somehow connected, via fostering, etc., with the] Ó Caemhain [family]
Carrach *	[the] Scabbed
Cas	Curly
Catha an Aonaigh	[of the] Battle of ??
Catha an Dúna	[of the] Battle of Down
na gCeann	[of] the Heads	(regarding one man, he was "so called from the many heads of enemies which he had cut off")
Cearrbhach	[the] Gamester/Gambler
Cendcairech, Cenncairech	[the] Scabby-head[ed]
Cendfhota, Cennfhota	[the] Long-head[ed]
Cerr / Cearr	Crooked/Wry/Maimed
Cerrbél	[the] Wry-mouth[ed]
Cetharderc	[the] Four-Eyed
Cétadach	[unknown]
an Chairn	[of] the Cairn
an Chaisléin	[of] the Castle
na gChaisléin	[of] the Castles
an Chalaidh	[of] the Shore/Port/Harbor/Haven
an Chinn	[of] the Head
an Chleitigh	[of] the Quill	(refers to a weaver)
Chnuic an Madhma	[of] Cnoc an Madhma	(name of a location in Tirconnell)
Chnuic Tuagh	[of] Knockdoe
an Chobhlaigh	[of] the Fleet
an Chogaidh	[of] the War
an Chomhaidh	[of] the Coad	(a townland in Co. Clare)
an Chomhraic	[of] the Combat/Duel
an Chopain	[of] the Cup
an Chuain	[of] the Harbor
Ciabach	Long-haired
Cíocarach	[the] Greedy/Ravenous
Ciotach	[the] Left-handed
Cisénach	[unknown]
Clannach	Children[-ish]	(meaning: "prolific, having many children")
Cléireach	"[the] Cleric/Person in religious orders" also "[the] Scholar/Clerk"
Cluasach	[the] Long-eared
na gCochall gCroicinn	[of] the Leather Cloaks
Codail	[of] Benn Codail	(an island off the coast of Co. Dublin, now called Ireland's Eye)
na gCoilech nOifrinn	[of] the Chalices [of the] Mass
na Coilleadh	[of] the Wood
na Coise Crainn	[of] the Wooden Leg
Colach	[the] Wicked/Criminal/Sinful/Lewd
Conaillech	Conaille[-ish]	(refers to a territory comprising [...] the baronies of Ardee, Louth, and Upper Dundalk)
Conallach	Tirconnell[-ian]/Tirconnell[-ish]	(refers to Co. Tirconnell)
Connachtach	Connacht[-ish]
na Conntae	[of] the County
Craibhdheach (Craibhtheach)	[the] Pious
Crobderg/Croibhdearg	[of the] Wine-red Hand
Crom	[the] Stooped
Crosach	[the] Scarred
Cruittire	[the] Harper
Cruinn	[the] Thrifty
Cu	[the] Wolf/Hound
Cualann	[unknown - likely refers to a location]
Cuarán	[unknown - either "the Crooked or Stooped" or "[of the] Sandals"]
Cúile	[of] Cuil	(now the barony of Coole in Co. Fermanagh)

Dabaill	[of the] Daball	(a river, now called the Blackwater)
Dall	[the] Blind
Damán	Little Stag/Ox
an Dana	[of] the Poetry
Dechti	[the] Pure/Genuine
Derg	Wine-red
in Derthaige	[of] the Oratory	(Derthach meaning "Oratory" refers to a particular type of building used for religious purposes, a "prayer-house")
Direach	[the] Straight
Docair	[the] Grievous/Troublesome/Difficult
Doibhlénach	[somehow connected, via fostering, etc., with the] Ó Doibhlen [family]
an Doire	[of] the Oak-grove/Oak-wood
na nDomhnall	[of] the Donnells
Dona	[the] Unfortunate/Unlucky/Wretched
Donn	Brown
Donnghaileach	[somehow connected, via fostering, etc., with the] Ó Donnghaile [family]
Dorcha	Dark
Drochtech	Bridgemaker
Droichit Atha	[of] Droichead Átha	(Anglicized "Drogheda" - in Co. Louth)
Dub/Dubh *	Black
Dubsúilech / Dubhshúileach	[the] Black-eyed
Dunchadhach	Tullydonaghy[-ish]	(refers to Tullydonaghy, a barony in the west of the county of Cavan)
an Dúnaidh	[of] the Fort

éccnaid	[the] Wise
in Eich Gil	[of] the White Horse
Eóghanach	Tyrone[-ian]/Tyrone[-ish]	(refers to Co. Tyrone)
an Einigh	the Hospitable	(literally: "[of] the Hospitality")

Farranta	[the] Athletic
na bhFeadh	[of] the Faes	(the name of O'Naghtan's country in the barony of Athlone, Co. Roscommon)
na Féasóige	[of] the Beard
Feimen	[of] Feimen	(a location)
an Fhasaigh	[of] the Wilderness
an Fheadha	[of] the Wood
an Fhiona	[of] the Wine
na bhFiacal	[of] the Teeth
Fíal	[the] Well-bred/Honorable/Noble/Gentle (in the old sense); later "[the] Generous/Hospitable"
Findglaissi, Finnglaissi	[of] Finnglais	(a location)
Finn/Fionn *	Fair
Foltchaín	[of the] Lovely Hair
na Formaoile	[of] the Round-hill
Fota/Fada	[the] Tall (Long)

Gallta/Gallda	[the] Anglicised	(regarding one man, he was "so called because he could speak English, and shewed a predilection for the English laws, manners, and dress")
Gall	Foreigner	(nearly always used to mean "English")
na nGall	[of] the Foreigners	(nearly always used to mean "English")
in Gai Bernaig	[of] the Broken Spear
in Gai Deirg	[of] the Wine-red Spear
in Gai Móir	[of] the Large Spear
na nGamhnach	[of] the Milch Cows
na Gaobhcha	[of] the Geevagh	(refers to Geevagh - a well-known mountain on the west side of Lough Allen, on the confines of Co. Sligo, Co. Roscommon, and Co. Leitrim)
Garbh *	[the] Rough
Geangcach	[the] Cocked-nose/Snub-nose
Gealbuidhe	Tawny
Gearr	[the] Short
Geimhleach	[the] Fettered	(probably meaning "[the] Prisoner")
na nGeimhleach	[of] the Fetters	(probably meaning "[of] the Prisoners")
Glai	[of] Tuath-Glae	(a district lying opposite the islands of Aran, in the barony of Corcomroe, Co. Clare)
na Glaisfheine	[of] the Green-Militia
Glas	Green/Grey
an Gleanna	[of] the Glen
Glenna Madair, Glinne Magair	[of] Glenn Magair	(Anglicized "Glanmire" - outside Cork)
Glúndubh	Black-knee
Glúnillar	[of the] eagle-knee
Gobha	[the] Smith
Gorm	Blue
Got	[the] Stammering/Lisping
na Graifne	[of] the Writing
Grant	[the] Grey-haired
Greannach	[the] Hairy/Furry/Bushy/Bristly/Rough Bearded
Gruamdha	[the] Grim/Surly/Morose/Gloomy

an Iarrainn	[of] the Iron
na hInnsi	[of] the Island
Irruis	[of] Erris	(an extensive and remarkably wild barony in the north-west of the county of Mayo)

Ladrach	[the] Crooked-toed/Splay-footed
Laigen	[of] Leinster
na Laimhe	[of] the Hand	(refers to something unusual about his hand; maybe a large hand or a deformed hand)
Laimhdhearg	[the] Red-Hand
na Leamhna	[of] the Laune	(Anglicized "Laune" - a river in Co. Kerry)
Liath	Gray-haired/Aged
Liathan	[unknown]
Liathanach	"Gray-faced/Gray-haired"
an Locha	[of] the Lake
Lochlandach	Danish
Losc	[the] Lame/Halt/Crippled
Luighneach	Luighne[-ian]/Luighne[-ish]	(Angicized "Leyny")
Luimnig	[of] Limerick
Luineach	[somehow connected, via fostering, etc., with the] Ó Luinigh [family]
Luirg	[of] Lurg	(a barony in the north of Co. Fermanagh)

na Madhmann	[of] the Defeats
Mainistrech	[of] Mainistir Buithe	(Anglicized "Monasterboice" - a monastery in Co. Louth)
Manach	[the] Monk
Manntach	[the] Toothless
Maol	[the] Bald
Maonmaighi	[of] Maonmhagh	(Anglicized "Moinmoy" - a territory in Co. Galway)
na Maor	[of] the Stewards
na Mart	[of] the Beeves/Cattle
Meablach	[the] Deceitful/Guileful/Treacherous/Crafty
Mear	[the] Mad
Meairgeach	[the] Freckled/Pock-marked
Meadhónach	Middle[-ish]	(ndicates the middle generation of a family naming pattern when a grandfather, father, and son [all grown men] have the same given name)
Meith	[the] Fat/Gross/Corpulent
Menn, Mend	[the] Stammering/Inarticulate
Mer	[the] Swift
an Mhachaire	[of] the Plain
an Mhagha	[of] the Plain
Micuran	[unknown]
Midech/Midheach	Meath[-ish]
Modach	[unknown]
Modardha, Modartha	[the] Surly
na Moichéirghe	[of] the Early-Rising	(refers to getting up early in the morning)
na Moinge, na Muinge	[of] the Long-hair
Mór *	[the] Big/Great
Mucnáma	[of] Mucknoe	(now Mucknoe, in Co. Monaghan)
Muillinn	[of the] Mill
Muimnech/Muimhneach	Munster[-ish]/Momonian
Muinderg	[the] Red-necked
na Murtha	[unknown]
Musccraighe	[of] Muskerry	(now Muskerry, in the county of Cork)

Óc/Óg *	Young
Odhar	Pale/Wan
na nOrdóg	[of] the Thumbs

Puirt Láirce	[of] Waterford

na Raithnighe	[of] the Fern/Bracken
Reamhar	[the] Fat/Gross
Riabhach *	[the] Swarthy
Riaganach	Hy-Regan[-ian]/Hy-Regan[-ish]	(refers to Hy-Regan which was the tribe-name of the O'Dunnes, in the barony of Tinahinch, Queen's County)
Ruadh *	Red

Sacart	[the] Priest
na Samhthach	[unknown]
Saxanach	English
in Scéith Girr	[of] the Short Shield
an Screcain	[of] the Stony Place?
na Scuab	[of] the Sweeping Excursions
Seanchaidh	[the] Historian
na Seoltadh	[of] the Sails	(regarding one person, he was "so called from the number of sails which he had manufactured, and perhaps from his skill in sailing.")
an tSeomra	[of] the Chamber
Sinnach / Sionnach	[the] Fox
an tSléibhe	[of] the Mountain
an tSonnaigh	[of] the Sonnagh	(a location in Westmeath)
Sotal	[the] Proud/Arrogant/Overbearing
Spáineach	Spanish
Sreamach	[the] Blear-eyed
na Sróna	[of] the Nose
an tSuasáin	[of] the Long, Uncombed Hair
Sucach	[the] Merry

na Taoiseach	[of] the Chieftains
an Tearmainn	[of] the Sanctuary	(Tearmann, meaning "Sanctuary" refers to a church)
na Tengad	[of] the Tongue	(refers to a linguist)
Tethbach / Teathbhach	[the] Teffian/Teffa[-ish]
na Traga	[of] the Strand
na Trí Tor	[of] the Three Towers
an Triubhais	[of] the Trowse/Pantaloons
in Trostáin	[of] the [Pilgrim's] Staff
na Tuaighe	[of] the Axe/Battle-Axe/Hatchet
na Túaithe	[of] the People/Laity/Country	(as opposed to the city)
an Tuir	[of] the Tower
Tuirtrech	Hy-Tuirtre[-ian]/Hy-Tuirtre[-ish]	(a territory in the south of Co. Antrim)

Uaine	Green
Uaithneach	Owny[-ish]	(refers to Uaithne, now Owny, which forms two baronies, one in Co. Limerick and the other in Co. Tipperary)
Úamach	Cave[-ish]	(an adjective implying attributes associated with a saint)
Ultac/Ultach	Ulster[-ish]/Ulidian
Umaill	[of] Umall	(North and South Umall; encompasses the baronies of Burrishoole and Murrisk)

Bynames used in Reference to Legendary Figures:

At this time, these bynames have only been found in reference to early Irish (pre-500), mainly legendary, figures.
Cernach	(probably:) victorious, triumphant
Frossach, Frassach	[of the] Showers

Go to the overview page for the Masculine Descriptive Bynames section.

Go to the overview page for the Masculine Given Names section.

Go to the main page of the complete Index of Names in Irish Annals article.

Kathleen M. O'Brien's articles are hosted by Medieval Scotland, which is published by Sharon L. Krossa (contact). Shopping online? How you can support this site. (Jan 2006)
© 1996-2007. All rights reserved. Copyright of individual articles belongs to their authors. Please do not copy or redistribute without proper permission!
http://MedievalScotland.org

Shop
Amazon.com

Shop
Amazon.co.uk