County Galway Surnames & Places

County Galway, located on the west coast of Ireland in the province of Connacht, is a region of diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant traditions. For many people of Irish descent worldwide, Galway represents a significant connection to their ancestral roots. This article explores the common County Galway surnames, its origins, geography, and the development of its principal towns.

Galway was officially shired (established as a county) in 1569 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. This was part of the Tudor conquest of Ireland, which sought to extend English law and governance across the island. County Galway takes its name from the city of Galway, derived from the Irish “Gaillimh” meaning “stony river”, has a history stretching back to ancient times. The region was originally part of the kingdom of Connacht and was home to several powerful Gaelic clans.

Dominant Gaelic and Norman Families.

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Up until the 17th century, Galway was dominated by a few powerful Gaelic and Norman families:

1. The O’Flahertys: Rulers of “Iar Connacht” (western Connacht).
2. The O’Connors: Kings of Connacht, with significant influence in the county.
3. The Burkes (de Burgo): A powerful Norman family that became highly Gaelicized.
4. The Lynches, Frenches, and Blakes: Prominent merchant families of Galway City, known as the “Tribes of Galway“.

These families played crucial roles in shaping Galway’s political and social landscape until the Cromwellian conquest in the 1650s significantly altered the power structures.

Geography and Location.

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Galway is situated on the west coast of Ireland, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and five other counties: Mayo, Roscommon, Offaly, Tipperary, and Clare. It’s the second-largest county in Ireland by area and is known for its diverse landscape, including:

• The Twelve Bens mountain range
• Connemara, a region of rugged beauty
• The Aran Islands
• Lough Corrib, the largest lake in the Republic of Ireland

Major Market Towns

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In the 19th century, several towns in Galway served as important market centers, each with its own specialties:

1. Galway City: The largest urban area, known for its port and merchant traditions.
2. Tuam: An important ecclesiastical center and market town.
3. Ballinasloe: Famous for its October horse fair, one of Europe’s oldest and largest.
4. Clifden: The “capital of Connemara”, important for tourism and trade.
5. Loughrea: A significant market town for the east of the county.
6. Gort: Gort was known for its agricultural markets and fairs, where local farmers traded livestock and produce.
7. Athenry: Athenry was an important medieval market town with a strong focus on agricultural trading.

Each of these towns played a crucial role in the economic and social life of 19th-century Galway, serving as hubs for trade, craft, and community gatherings.

County Galway Surnames.

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The following list represents 100+ of the most common County Galway surnames, reflecting the rich mixture of Gaelic, Norman, and English heritage in the county. The list is in alphabetical order:

Barrett, Brennan, Burke, Byrne, Cahill, Callanan, Canavan, Cannon, Carr, Carroll, Casey, Cassidy, Clancy, Clarke, Cleary, Coen, Collins, Concannon, Conneely, Connell, Connolly, Conroy, Corcoran, Costello, Coughlan, Coyne, Cullen, Cunningham, Curley, Curran, Daly, Dervan, Divilly, Dolan, Donnellan, Donohoe, Dowd, Duane, Duddy, Duggan, Egan, Fahey, Faherty, Fallon, Farrell, Feeney, Finnerty,

Fitzgerald, Flaherty, Flynn, Flanagan, Folan, Foley, Forde, Gannon, Geraghty, Gilmore, Glynn, Grealish, Greally, Griffin, Halloran, Hanley, Hardiman, Healy, Heneghan, Hernon, Hession, Higgins, Holland, Horan, Hughes, Hynes, Joyce, Keady, Keane, Kearney, Keating, Kelly, Kennedy, Kenny, Kilkenny, King, Lally, Larkin, Lavelle, Lee, Lohan, Lydon, Lynch, Lyons, Madden, Maguire, Mahon, Mannion, Martin,

McDonagh, McDonnell, McDermott, McGrath, McHugh, McNamara, Melia, Mitchell, Molloy, Monaghan, Morrissey, Moran, Murray, Mullen, Mullin, Murphy, Naughton, Nee, Newell, Nolan, Noone, O’Brien, O’Connor, O’Dea, O’Donnell, O’Flaherty, O’Malley, O’Neill, O’Shaughnessy, O’Toole, Power, Quinn, Raftery, Reilly, Roche, Ryan, Smyth, Sullivan, Thornton, Tierney, Treacy, Walsh, Ward, Whelan

Many of these County Galway surnames have deep roots in its history, with some tracing back to the ancient Gaelic clans, others to Norman settlers, and some to later English colonisation.

Population Changes and the Great Famine.

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The population of County Galway has seen significant fluctuations over the centuries, with the Great Famine of 1845-1852 having a particularly devastating impact. In the early 1800s, Galway’s population was growing rapidly, reaching 440,198 by 1841.

However, the Great Famine brought about a catastrophic decline. Galway was severely affected by the potato blight and subsequent famine. The population figures reveal the stark reality of this tragedy:

• 1841 census: 440,198 (peak pre-Famine population)
• 1851 census: 321,684 (nearly 27% decline in just ten years)
• 1901 census: 192,549
• 2016 census: 258,058 (modern census figure)

The Great Famine had a profound and lasting impact on Galway. Between 1841 and 1851, the county lost over a quarter of its population to death and emigration. The port of Galway saw countless departures as masses of people fled to North America, England, and elsewhere in search of survival and a better life.

Galway’s landscape was transformed by the Famine. Many smaller farms were abandoned, particularly in the poorer areas of Connemara. There was a shift towards more pastoral farming, especially sheep farming in the mountainous western regions.

The Famine had a complex effect on the Irish language in Galway. While it accelerated language decline in some areas, Galway remained one of the strongest Irish-speaking counties, with several Gaeltacht areas persisting to the present day, particularly in Connemara and the Aran Islands.

The legacy of the Famine is deeply ingrained in Galway’s cultural memory, influencing local folklore, literature, and historical narratives. It also contributed to the Land War of the 1870s and 1880s, in which Galway played a significant role.

Despite the hardships, Galway has shown remarkable resilience. While the county’s population has not returned to pre-Famine levels, Galway’s culture and heritage remain strong, and its communities continue to adapt and persevere through challenging times. In recent decades, Galway City has become a hub of arts, culture, and technology, driving population growth and economic development in the county.

Conclusion.

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The diverse County Galway surnames reflect the area’s rich history, geography, and culture, which have also shaped the development of its towns. From the ancient Gaelic clans to the merchant families of Galway City, and through centuries of social and economic change, Galway has maintained a unique identity that continues to resonate with people of Irish descent around the world. Whether your ancestors hailed from the bustling streets of Galway City, the rugged landscape of Connemara, or the rich farmlands of east Galway, the county’s heritage offers a fascinating window into Ireland’s past and present.

How about you? Did any of your Irish ancestors come from beautiful County Galway? I hope you enjoyed this brief tour of County Galway Surnames and Places.

Slán for now,

Mike.

P.S. If you want to go deeper and learn more about your County Galway surnames and ancestors then check out The Green Room.