by Mari Elspeth nic Bryan (Kathleen M. O'Brien)
© 2000-2007 by Kathleen M. O'Brien. All rights reserved.
Version 2.27, updated 26 March 2007
I have broken down the types of descriptive bynames found in the annals into basic groupings below. If you click on a topic, it will take you to the area which includes specific descriptive bynames that fall into that category.
Examples have been found of descriptive bynames that describe:
The Sources page lists the Annals referenced below. Information on secondary sources are included on that page as well.
Note: Bynames that have a * next to them, are used to refer to at least 10 different people.
The bynames in this section are adjectives unless otherwise noted.
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The bynames in this section are adjectives unless otherwise noted.
The bynames in this section are adjectives unless otherwise noted.
All of the bynames in this section are nouns.
All of the bynames in this section are nouns.
All of the bynames in this section are adjectives.
In general, descriptive bynames that refer to locations use adjectival forms to refer to areas large enough to have a regional identity. Descriptive bynames that refer to smaller locations tend to use noun forms. The break point seems to be something larger than a barony. In other words, descriptive bynames that refer to areas larger than baronies tend to use adjectival forms; descriptive bynames that refer to baronies or smaller areas tend to use noun forms.
| Location: (standard English spelling) | Adjectival Form: |
| Denmark | Danish (Lochlandach) |
| England | English (Saxanach) |
| Germany | German (Almaineach) |
| Scotland | Scottish (Albanach) |
| Spain | Spanish (Spáineach) |
| Wales | Welsh (Breathnach) |
| Location: (standard English spelling) | Adjectival Form: | Noun Form: |
| Connacht | Connacht[-ish] (Connachtach) | |
| Leinster | [of] Leinster (Laigen) | |
| Meath | Meath[-ish] (Midech/Midheach) | |
| Munster | Munster[-ish]/Momonian (Muimhneach) | |
| Ulster | Ulster[-ish]/Ulidian (Ultac/Ultach) |
| Location: (standard English spelling) | Adjectival Form: | Noun Form: | Notes: |
| Brawnie | Brawnie[-ish] (Bregmainech) | an ancient territory, now a barony in Co. Westmeath | |
| Brefne | Brefne[-ish] (Breifneach) | a district corresponding (roughly) to the counties of Cavan and Leitrim | |
| Bregia | Bregia[-ish] (Bregach/Breaghach) | [of] Bregia (Bregh) | Bregia is a territorial and population name roughly co-extensive with Co. Meath & north Co. Dublin |
| Burren | Burren[-ish] (Boirneach) | a rocky district, now a barony in Co. Clare | |
| Carbery | Carbery[-ish] (Cairbreach) | a large district in the south-west of Co. Cork | |
| Cuil/Coole | [of] Cuil (Cúile) | the territory of Cuil, now the barony of Coole, on the east side of Upper Lough Erne, in the southeast of Co. Fermanagh | |
| Erris | [of] Erris (Irruis) | an extensive and remarkably wild barony in the north-west of Co. Mayo | |
| the Faes | [of] the Faes (na bhFeadh) | the name of O'Naghtan's country in the barony of Athlone, Co. Roscommon | |
| Hy-Tuirtre | Hy-Tuirtre[-ish] (Tuirtrech) | a territory in the south of Co. Antrim | |
| Limerick | [of] Limerick (Luimnig) | ||
| Luighne | Luighne[-ish] (Luighneach) | Anglicized "Leyny" | |
| Lurg | [of] Lurg (Luirg) | a barony in the north of Co. Fermanagh | |
| Moinmoy | [of] Moinmoy (Maonmaighi) | a territory in Co. Galway | |
| Owny | Owny[-ish] (Uaithneach) | refers to Uaithne, now Owny, which forms two baronies, one in Co. Limerick and the other in Co. Tipperary | |
| Tirconnell | Tirconnell[-ish] (Conallach) | a county in Ulster | |
| Tuath-Glae | [of] Tuath-Glae (Glai) | a district lying opposite the islands of Aran, in the barony of Corcomroe, Co. Clare | |
| Tyrone | Tyrone[-ish] (Eóghanach) | a county in Ulster | |
| Umall | [of] Umall (Umaill) | North and South Umall; encompasses the baronies of Burrishoole and Murrisk |
| Location: (standard English spelling) | Noun Form: | Notes: |
| Baile Dalad | [of] Baile Dalad (Baile Dalad) | in Co. Galway |
| Cnoc an Madhma | [of] Cnoc an Madhma (Chnuic an Madhma) | name of a location in Tirconnell |
| the Coad | [of] the Coad (an Chomhaidh) | a townland in Co. Clare |
| Drogheda | [of] Drogheda (Droichit Atha) | in Co. Louth |
| Feimen | [of] Feimen (Feimen) | |
| the Geevagh | [of] the Geevagh (na Gaobhcha) | 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 |
| Glanmire | [of] Glanmire (Glenna Madair, Glinne Magair) | a town outside of Cork |
| Knockdoe | [of] Knockdoe (Chnuic Tuagh) | |
| the Laune | [of] the Laune (na Leamhna) | Anglicized "Laune" - a river in Co. Kerry |
| Monasterboice | [of] Monasterboice (Mainistrech) | a monastery in Co. Louth |
| Muskerry | [of] Muskerry (Musccraighe) | now Muskerry, in Co. Cork |
| Waterford | [of] Waterford (Puirt Láirce) |
| Location: (standard English spelling) | Noun Form: | Notes: |
| Cairn | [of] the Cairn (an Chairn) | |
| Castle | [of] the Castle (an Chaisléin) | |
| Castles | [of] the Castles (na gChaisléin) | |
| County | [of] the County (na Conntae) | |
| Fern/Bracken | [of] the Fern/Bracken (na Raithnighe) | |
| Fort | [of] the Fort (an Dúnaidh) | |
| Glen | [of] the Glen (an Gleanna) | |
| Harbor | [of] the Harbor (an Chuain) | |
| Hill | [of] the Round-hill (na Formaoile) | |
| Island | [of] the Island (na hInnsi) | |
| Lake | [of] the Lake (an Locha) | |
| Mill | [of the] Mill (Muillinn) | |
| Mountain | [of] the Mountain (an tSléibhe) | |
| Oak-grove/Oak-wood | [of] the Oak-grove/Oak-wood (an Doire) | |
| Oratory | [of] the Oratory (in Derthaige) | (Derthach meaning "Oratory" refers to a particular type of building used for religious purposes, a "prayer-house") |
| Plain | [of] the Plain (an Mhachaire) | |
| Plain | [of] the Plain (an Mhagha) | |
| Road | [of] the Road (an Bhothair) | |
| Rock | [of] the Rock (na Cairrce) | |
| Sanctuary | [of] the Sanctuary (an Tearmainn) | (Tearmann, meaning "Sanctuary" refers to a church) |
| Shore/Port/Harbor/Haven | [of] the Shore/Port/Harbor/Haven (an Chalaidh) | |
| Stony Place? | [of] the Stony Place? (an Screcain) | |
| Strand | [of] the Strand (na Traga) | |
| Tower | [of] the Tower (an Tuir) | |
| Towers (three) | [of] the Three Towers (na Trí Tor) | |
| Wilderness | [of] the Wilderness (an Fhasaigh) | |
| Wood | [of] the Wood (na Coilleadh) | |
| Wood | [of] the Wood (an Fheadha) |
The bynames in this section are adjectives unless otherwise noted.
The bynames in this section are adjectives unless otherwise noted.
At this time, these bynames have only been found in reference to early Irish (pre-500), mainly legendary, figures.
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.
Published by the Academy of Saint Gabriel.