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Hi,
I've been looking for some information on surnames starting with O'something, such as O'Brien. I know that these kind of family names are Irish, but cant find what the O' stands for... I suppose it means simply "Of" but I would really appreciate it if anyone could enlighten me and say "DUH..." or correct me if I'm wrong
Garcias so very mucho!!!
~Magia~
P.S. I would have posted this one on the "surname message board" but there's just not enough action over there...
I've been looking for some information on surnames starting with O'something, such as O'Brien. I know that these kind of family names are Irish, but cant find what the O' stands for... I suppose it means simply "Of" but I would really appreciate it if anyone could enlighten me and say "DUH..." or correct me if I'm wrong
Garcias so very mucho!!!
~Magia~
P.S. I would have posted this one on the "surname message board" but there's just not enough action over there...
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Replies
Yup...
O'X means grandchild or descendant of X. The apostrophe isn't really necessary. The original Irish form is Ua (ooha)and the plural is Ui (wee), as in the Ui Neills. The personal name of the grandparent is affixed in genetive form, which usually involves internal vowel change - Niall (ny-ul), but Ua Neill (nayl) etc.
At least, as far as I remember... :)
O'X means grandchild or descendant of X. The apostrophe isn't really necessary. The original Irish form is Ua (ooha)and the plural is Ui (wee), as in the Ui Neills. The personal name of the grandparent is affixed in genetive form, which usually involves internal vowel change - Niall (ny-ul), but Ua Neill (nayl) etc.
At least, as far as I remember... :)
1
Oooooooooooohhhhhhhh....Gracias soooo very bastante!!!
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