Irish Genealogical Terms

Cineál – kind, species, type
D’aon chineál = of one species
An cineál ainmhíoch = the animal world
cineál de scoláire = a kind of scholar, a scholar of sorts

Clann – children, descendants
clann mhac = family of sons
clann iníonacha = family of daughters
clanna Gael = the Gaels

Craobh – branch of a family (in a genealogical tree)
craobh ghinealaigh = genealogical tree
Craobh de Chonradh na Gaeilge = a branch of the Gaelic League

Fine – family, group, tribe
fine Néill = the tribe of Niall (of the Nine Hostages)
Ceann fine = the head of the tribe, chieftain

Forsloinnte – group of related or associated families
Forsloinnte d’Uí Conor = families associated with the O’Conor

Mac, Mhac, Mic, Mhic – son, descendant of
Mac Diarmuid = descendant of Diarmuid (Dermot)

Muintir – household, family, community, followers, kinsfolk
muintir Bhride = St. Brigid’s community
Mo mhuintir = my folks
muintir m’athar = my father’s people
Muintir na hÉireann = the people of Ireland
muintir na cathrach = the city people
muintir na tuaithe = the country people

Ní, Ní Mhic, Nic – daughter, descendant of
(in O’ surnames, lenites): Nuala Ní Bhriain = Nuala O’Brien
(in Mac surnames): Áine Ní Mhic Diarmuid [also sometimes seen as Áine Nic Diarmuid] = Áine Mac Dermot

Sliocht – offspring, progeny, line, descendants
sliocht a sleachta = their children’s children; grandchildren
Duine dá shliocht = one of his breed
Ní raibh sliocht orthu = they had no issue (no children)

Tuath, Tuatha – people, tribe, territory, country
Tuatha Dé Danaan = the Tribe of Dana (Danu)
Tuath Dé = the Chosen People
tuatha ciana = distant lands
tuatha agus cineálacha an domhain = the peoples and tribes of the earth

Ua, Uí – (O’) – son, descendant of
Uí Conor = O’Conor : the descendants of Conn (of the Hundred Battles)

2 Responses to Irish Genealogical Terms

  1. Morchu says:

    Eolas maith anseo. Thought I’d add a little if it’s not too presumptuous.

    Fine: close family incorporating the nucleus of father mother, children and grandchildren – generally centered around a head of household whether male or female depending on circumstances (generally the father).

    Derbfine: extended family generally accepted to include one generation beyond the ‘fine’ (though there is some discussion about this) including cousins, great-grandparents and other relatives similarly related

    Iarfine: the most extended family related by similar blood ties. This probably accords with what we think of as a clann, but there is a lot of difference of opinion on this in the scholarly community.

    Go raibh maith agaibh agus gach beannacht leibh freisin! Slan agat!

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