Index of Names in Irish Annals: Masculine Descriptive Bynames

© 2000-2020 by Kathleen M. O'Brien. All rights reserved.
Version 2.41, updated 22 March 2020

Masculine Descriptive Bynames

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:

• What a person looks like (common):
  • Age
  • Appearance
    • Hair
    • Head
    • Ears/Hearing
    • Eyes/Sight
    • Nose
    • Teeth
    • Mouth
    • Neck
    • Hands
    • Knees
    • Size/Height/Physical Build
    • Complexion
    • Posture/Walk
    • Speech

• What a person does or has done (rare):
  • Personality/Behavior
  • Weapons/Battle
  • Occupations/Vocations/Avocations
  • Groups of People

• Where a person has lived/been fostered/etc. (rare):
  • Families (usually indicates fosterage)
  • Locations (indicates birthplace, fosterage, etc.)
    • Foreign Countries
    • Provinces in Ireland
    • Regions in Ireland
    • Towns, Townlands, and Villages
    • Toponymics

• Animals

• Other

• Unknown

• Bynames used in Reference to Legendary Figures

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.

Age:

• Middle[-ish] (Meadhónach)
  (Indicates the middle generation of a family naming pattern when a grandfather, father, and son [all grown men] have the same given name. Meadhónach is used for the father's byname.)
• Young (Óc/Óg) *

Appearance:

The bynames in this section are adjectives unless otherwise noted.

Hair: Black (Dub/Dubh) * Brown (Donn) Dark (Dorcha) Fair (Finn/Fionn) * Gray (Liath) Grey-haired (Grant) Red (Ruadh) * Wine-red (Derg) Tawny (Gealbuidhe) Yellow (Buidhe) * White/Fair (Bán) Bald (Maol) Curly (Cas) Hairy/Tufted (Caircheach) Long-haired (Ciabach) [of] the Long-hair (na Moinge, na Muinge) - noun [of] the Long, Uncombed Hair (an tSuasáin) - noun [of the] Lovely Hair (Foltchaín) Head: Long-headed (Cendfhota, Cennfhota) High-headed / Lofty-headed (Ardchend, Ardchenn) Scabby-head[ed] (Cendcairech, Cenncairech) [of] the Head (an Chinn) Ears/Hearing: Deaf (Bodhar) [the] Long-eared (Cluasach) Eyes/Sight: Black-eyed (Dubsúilech / Dubhshúileach) Blear-eyed (Sreamach) [the] Four-Eyed (Cetharderc) Blind (one-eyed) (Caoch) Blind (purblind) (Dall) Nose: Crooked/Snub nose (Geangcach) [of] the Nose (na Sróna) - noun Teeth: Gapped[-Tooth] (missing front teeth) (Bearnach) [of] the Teeth (na bhFiacal) - noun Toothless (Manntach) Mouth: Wry-mouth[ed] (Cerrbél) Neck: Red-necked (Muinderg) Hands: [of] the Hand (na Laimhe) - noun (this may mean "[of] the [large] hand" or "[of] the [deformed] hand") Lame-handed (Baclamhach) Left-handed (Ciotach) Red-hand (Laimhdhearg) [of] the Thumbs (na nOrdóg) - noun Wine-red Hand (Crobderg/Croibhdearg) Knees: Black-knee (Glúndubh)

Size/Height/Physical Build: Athletic (Farranta) Big/Great (Mór) * Fat/Gross (Reamhar) Fat/Gross/Corpulent (Meith) Short (Gearr) Slender (Cáel / Caol) Small (Becc/Beag) * Tall (Height) (Ard) Tall (Long) (Fota/Fada) Complexion: [of] the Beard (na Féasóige) - noun [the] Hairy/Furry/Bushy/Bristly/Rough Bearded (Greannach) Comely (Alánd, Alánn / Alann) Dark (Dorcha) Fair (Fionn) * Freckled (Ballach) * Freckled/Pock-marked (Meairgeach) Green/Grey (Glas) Pale/Wan (Odhar) Scabbed (Carrach) * Scarred (Crosach) Speckled/Spotted (Brecc) (probably meaning "unusually heavily freckled") Swarthy (Riabhach) * Posture/Walk: Crooked (Camm / Cam) * Crooked-toed/Splay-footed (Ladrach) Crooked/Wry/Maimed (Cerr / Cearr) Lame (Bacach) * Lame/Halt/Crippled (Losc) Straight (Direach) Stooped (Crom) Swift (Mer) [of] the Wooden Leg (na Coise Crainn) - noun Speech: Stammerer (Balbh) Stammering/Inarticulate (Menn, Mend) Stammering/Lisping (Got)

Personality/Behavior:

The bynames in this section are adjectives unless otherwise noted.

• Anglicised (Gallta/Gallda)
  (Regarding one man, he was "so called because he could speak English, and shewed a predilection for the English laws, manners, and dress")
• Children[-ish] (meaning: "prolific, having many children") (Clannach)
• Deceitful/Guileful/Treacherous/Crafty (Meablach)
• [of] the Early-Rising (referring to getting up early in the morning) (na Moichéirghe) - noun
• Grievous/Troublesome/Difficult (Docair)
• Greedy/Ravenous (Cíocarach)
• Grim/Surly/Morose/Gloomy (Gruamdha)
• the Hospitable (literally: "[of] the Hospitality") (an Einigh) - noun
• Mad (Mear)
• [of] the Madness (na Buile) - noun
• Merry (Sucach)
• Pious (Craibhdheach (Craibhtheach))
• [of] the Poor (na mBocht)
  (this byname refers to supporting paupers - a measure of piety)
• Proud/Arrogant/Overbearing (Sotal)
• Pure/Genuine (Dechti)
• Quarrelsome/Contentious (Amhreaidh)
• Rough (Garbh) *
• Surly (Modardha, Modartha)
• Thrifty (Cruinn)
• Unfortunate/Unlucky/Wretched (Dona)
• Unquiet/Restless (Ainsheasccar)
• Well-bred/Honorable/Noble/Gentle (in the old sense); later "[the] Generous/Hospitable" (Fíal)
• Wicked/Criminal/Sinful/Lewd (Colach)
• Wise (éccnaid)

Occupations/Vocations/Avocations:

The bynames in this section are adjectives unless otherwise noted.

• [the] Bridgemaker (Drochtech)
• [the] Canon (a religious reference) (Canonach)
• [the] Cleric/Person in religious orders (Cléireach)
• [the] Friar (brathair) - noun
• [the] Gamester/Gambler (Cearrbhach)
• [the] Harper (Cruittire)
• [the] Historian (Seanchaidh)
• (refers to a linguist:) [of] the Tongue (na Tengad) - noun
• [the] Monk (Manach)
• [of] the Poetry (an Dana) - noun
• [the] Priest (Sacart)
• [the] Scholar/Clerk (Cléireach)
• (refers to a scribe:) [of] the Writing (na Graifne) - noun
• [the] Smith (Gobha)
• [the] Thievish (Bradach)
• (refers to a weaver:) [of] the Quill (an Chleitigh) - noun

Groups of People:

All of the bynames in this section are nouns.

• [of] the Chieftains (na Taoiseach)
• [of] the Foreigners (nearly always used to mean "English") (na nGall)
• [of] the Green-Militia (na Glaisfheine)
• [of] the Nuns/Hags (na gCailleach)
• [of] the People/Laity/Country (as opposed to the city) (na Túaithe)
• [of] the Stewards (na Maor)

Weapons/Battle:

All of the bynames in this section are nouns.

• [of] the Axe/Battle-Axe/Hatchet (na Tuaighe)
• [of the] Battle of ?? (Catha an Aonaigh)
• [of the] Battle of Down (Catha an Dúna)
• [of] the Blows (na mBuilleadh)
• [of] the Broken Spear (in Gai Bernaig)
• [of] the Large Spear (in Gai Móir)
• [of] the Wine-red Spear (in Gai Deirg)
• [of] the Combat/Duel (an Chomhraic)
• [of] the Defeats (na Madhmann)
• [the] Fettered (Geimhleach) (probably meaning "[the] Prisoner")
• [of] the Fetters (na nGeimhleach) (probably meaning "[of] the Prisoners")
• [of] the Heads (na gCeann)
  (Regarding one man, he was "so called from the many heads of enemies which he had cut off".)
• [of] the Short Shield (in Scéith Girr)
• [of] the Sweeping Excursions (na Scuab)
• [of] the Onsets/Attacks (na nAmus)
• [of] the War (an Chogaidh)

Families (usually indicates fosterage) :

All of the bynames in this section are adjectives.

• Ó Caemhain (Caomhánach)
• Ó Doibhlen (Doibhlénach)
• Ó Donnghaile (Donnghaileach)
• Ó Luinigh (Luineach)
• Hy-Regan (Riaganach)
  (refers to Hy-Regan which was the tribe-name of the O'Dunnes, in the barony of Tinahinch, Queen's County)

Locations (Refers to birthplace, fosterage, etc.):

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.

• Foreigner (nearly always used to mean English) (Gall) [Note: this word is a noun.]

• Foreign Countries:

  Location: (standard English spelling)	Adjectival Form:
  Denmark	Danish (Lochlandach)
  England	English (Saxanach)
  Germany	German (Almaineach)
  Scotland	Scottish (Albanach)
  Spain	Spanish (Spáineach)
  Wales	Welsh (Breathnach)

• Provinces in Ireland:

  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 (Muimnech/Muimhneach)
  Ulster	Ulster[-ish]/Ulidian (Ultac/Ultach)

• Regions in Ireland:

  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
  Conaille	Conaille[-ish] (Conaillech)		a territory comprising [...] the baronies of Ardee, Louth, and Upper Dundalk
  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
  Sonnagh		[of] the Sonnagh (an tSonnaigh)	a location in Westmeath
  Teffa	[the] Teffian/Teffa[-ish] (Tethbach / Teathbhach)
  Tirconnell	Tirconnell[-ish] (Conallach)		a county in Ulster
  Tullydonaghy	Tullydonaghy[-ish] (Dunchadhach)		a barony in the west of the county of Cavan
  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

• Towns, Townlands, Villages and other specific landmarks in Ireland:

  Location: (standard English spelling)	Noun Form:	Notes:
  Baile Dalad	[of] Baile Dalad (Baile Dalad)	in Co. Galway
  Benn Codail	[of] Benn Codail (Codail)	an island off the coast of Co. Dublin, now called Ireland's Eye
  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
  Daball	[of the] Daball (Dabaill)	a river, now called the Blackwater
  Drogheda	[of] Drogheda (Droichit Atha)	in Co. Louth
  Feimen	[of] Feimen (Feimen)
  Finnglais	[of] Finnglais (Findglaissi, Finnglaissi)	a small village in the barony of Castleknock, about 2.5 miles north of Dublin
  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
  Mucknoe	[of] Mucknoe (Mucnáma)	now Mucknoe, in Co. Monaghan
  Muskerry	[of] Muskerry (Musccraighe)	now Muskerry, in Co. Cork
  Waterford	[of] Waterford (Puirt Láirce)

• Toponymics:

  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)

Animals:

The bynames in this section are adjectives unless otherwise noted.

• Fox (Sinnach / Sionnach)
• Little Stag/Ox (Damán)
• Wolf/Hound (Cu)

Other:

The bynames in this section are adjectives unless otherwise noted.

• Blue (Gorm)
• Green (Uaine)
• [of] the Wine (an Fhiona) - noun
• [of] the Chalices [of the] Mass (na gCoilech nOifrinn) - noun
• Cave[-ish] (Úamach)
  (an adjective implying attributes associated with a saint)
• [of] the Cup (an Chopain) - noun
• Soft (Bocc)
• Poor (Bocht)
• [of] the Donnells (na nDomhnall) - noun
• [of] the Fleet (an Chobhlaigh) - noun
• [of] the Sails (na Seoltadh) - noun
  (regarding one person, he was "so called from the number of sails which he had manufactured, and perhaps from his skill in sailing.")
• [of] the [Pilgrim's] Staff (in Trostáin) - noun
• [of] the Iron (an Iarrainn) - noun
• [of] the Blows (na mBuilleadh) - noun
• [of] the Trowse/Pantaloons (an Triubhais) - noun
• [of] the Leather Cloaks (na gCochall gCroicinn) - noun
• Abortive (Anabaidh)
  (Regarding one man, he was "so called because he was born before his time.".)
• [of] the Shell-less Egg (an Bhogáin) - noun
  (meaning "[of] the Premature Birth")
• [of the] eagle-knee (Glúnillar) - noun
• [of] the Chamber (an tSeomra) - noun
• rich in bulls or stags (?) (Boircech)
• [of] the Beeves/Cattle (na Mart) - noun
• [of] the Milch Cows (na nGamhnach) - noun
• [of] the White Horse (in Eich Gil) - noun

Unknown:

• Bennan - noun
• Bóroma - either a reference to a placename or "cattle-tribute"
• Cétadach
• Cisénach
• Cualann - noun [probably a location]
• Cuarán - either "the Crooked or Stooped" or "[of the] Sandals"
• Micuran - noun
• Modach
• na Murtha - noun
• na Samhthach - noun

Bynames used in Reference to Legendary Figures:

At this time, these bynames have only been found in reference to early Irish (pre-500), mainly legendary, figures.

• [probably:] victorious, triumphant (Cernach)
• [of the] Showers (Frossach, Frassach)

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.

Medieval Scotland | Medieval Names Archive | Index of Names in Irish Annals
Feminine Given Names | Feminine Descriptive Bynames | Masculine Given Names | Masculine Descriptive Bynames

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