Irish Genealogical Terms
Filed by Aine MacDermot
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)
Morchu wrote:
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!
Posted on 02-Jul-05 at 2:12 pm | Permalink
Aine MacDermot wrote:
Thank you!
Posted on 02-Jul-05 at 4:31 pm | Permalink