• Mac or Mc: Mac is Irish for son and is sometimes shortened to Mc. Examples: MacCarthy or McDonnell.
• Mac Gilla: Son of the devotee of a saint, or, more properly, son of a man whose name was the likes of Gilla Padraigh, Gilla Christ, (Mac) Gilla Bridge, and so on.^ Mac Giolla: Son of the devotee of a saint, or, more properly, son of a man whose name was the likes of Giolla Pádraig, (Mac) Giolla Bhrighde, and so on.
  • directopedia : Directory : Regional : Europe : Poland : Society and Culture : Genealogy : Surnames 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.directopedia.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ Mac Giolla : Irish for "son of the devotee of a saint", or "son of a man whose name was perhaps Giolla Pádraig or (Mac) Giolla Bhrighde ".
  • Family name at AllExperts 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC en.allexperts.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ Mac (usually shortened to Mc ): Mac is Irish for son.
  • directopedia : Directory : Regional : Europe : Poland : Society and Culture : Genealogy : Surnames 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.directopedia.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  An equivalent would be the use of St. George and St. John as forenames in England in the 18th and 19th century.
• Mael: In Pagan times this was expressed as Mug, as in the case of Mug Nuada. .The literal expression of this is "slave of Nuada". Slave should be seen in the same sense as "devotee". In the Christian era the word Mael was used in its place for given names such as Mael Bridget, Mael Padraig, Mael Sechlainn, Mael Martain, and so on.^ In the Christian era the word Mael was used in its place for given names such as Mael Bridget , Mael Padraig , Mael Lagan , Mael Sechlainn , and Mael Martain .
  • Family name at AllExperts 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC en.allexperts.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  • Familyname.eu 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.familyname.eu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ In the Christian era the word Mael was used in its place for given names such as Mael Bridget, Mael Padraig, Mael Sechlainn, Mael Martain, and so on.
  • directopedia : Directory : Regional : Europe : Poland : Society and Culture : Genealogy : Surnames 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.directopedia.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ The literal expression of this is "slave of Nuada".
  • directopedia : Directory : Regional : Europe : Poland : Society and Culture : Genealogy : Surnames 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.directopedia.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  .In later times, some of these given names evolved into surnames (O Mael Sechlainn, Mac Mael Martain, etc.^ Some of these names are nice.
  • Name Nerds! family names 15 January 2010 9:25 UTC www.namenerds.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^ In later times, some of these given names evolved into surnames (Ó Máel Sechlainn, Mac Mael Martain, etc.
  • directopedia : Directory : Regional : Europe : Poland : Society and Culture : Genealogy : Surnames 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.directopedia.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ Given name - The given name of some person.
  • FOAF Vocabulary Specification 2 February 2010 17:29 UTC xmlns.com [Source type: Reference]
  
  ).
.
• Fitz: Fitz is a Norman-French word derived from the Latin word, filius, meaning son of.^ Fitz : a Norman-French word derived from the Latin word filius ("son").
  • Family name at AllExperts 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC en.allexperts.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  • Familyname.eu 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.familyname.eu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ Fitz: a Norman-French word derived from the Latin word filius ("son").
  • Family Names and their origins 22 September 2009 17:13 UTC www.family-crests.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ MÉRAUD : French surname, derived from the word emeraude , meaning "emerald."
  • 20000-NAMES.COM: Surnames, Family Names, Page 4 of 6 15 January 2010 9:25 UTC www.20000-names.com [Source type: Original source]
  
  .It was used as a patronymic by thousands of men in the early Norman period in Ireland (fitz Stephen, fitz Richard, fitz Robert, fitz William) and only on some occasions did it become used as an actual surname, the most famous example being the FitzGerald Earls of Kildare.^ Stephen , fitz Richard , fitz Robert , fitz William ) and only on some occasions did it become used as an actual surname, the most famous example being the FitzGerald Earls of Kildare .
  • Family name at AllExperts 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC en.allexperts.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  • Familyname.eu 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.familyname.eu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ It was used in patronymic s by thousands of men in the early Norman period in Ireland (e.g.
  • Family name at AllExperts 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC en.allexperts.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  • Familyname.eu 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.familyname.eu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ P Patronyms -The most common form of surname.
  • SURNAME ORIGINS AND/OR MEANINGS, KOLOMEA RESEARCH GROUP SURNAMES OF INTEREST 15 January 2010 9:25 UTC www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org [Source type: Reference]
  
  .Yet well into the 17th and 18th century it was used in certain areas dominated by the Old English of Ireland in its original form, as a patronymic.^ Yet well into the 17th and 18th century it was used in certain areas dominated by the Old English of Ireland in its original form, as a patronymic .
  • Family name at AllExperts 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC en.allexperts.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  • Familyname.eu 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.familyname.eu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ Yet well into the 17th and 18th century it was used in certain areas dominated by the Old English of Ireland in its original form, as a patronymic.
  • Family Names and their origins 22 September 2009 17:13 UTC www.family-crests.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ Hawkesbury in the 17th and 18th century.
  • Gloucestershire Names 15 January 2010 9:25 UTC www.grahamthomas.com [Source type: General]
  
  .The Tribes of Galway were especially good at conserving this form, with examples such as John fitz John Bodkin, Michael Lynch fitz Arthur, and so on, being used even as late as the early 1800s.^ The Tribes of Galway were especially good at conserving this form, with examples such as John fitz John Bodkin, Michael Lynch fitz Arthur, and so on, being used even as late as the early 1800's.
  • directopedia : Directory : Regional : Europe : Poland : Society and Culture : Genealogy : Surnames 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.directopedia.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ The Tribes of Galway were especially good at conserving this form, with examples such as John fitz John Bodkin and Michael Lynch fitz Arthur , used even as late as the early 1800's.
  • Family name at AllExperts 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC en.allexperts.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ The Tribes of Galway were especially good at conserving this form, with examples such as John fitz John Bodkin and Michael Lynch fitz Arthur, used even as late as the early 1800s.
  • Family Names and their origins 22 September 2009 17:13 UTC www.family-crests.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  .Despite claims to the contrary, the use of Fitz in a surname does not, and never did, denote illegitimacy.^ Despite claims to the contrary, the use of Fitz in a surname never denoted illegitimacy.
  • Family name at AllExperts 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC en.allexperts.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  • Familyname.eu 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.familyname.eu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  • Family Names and their origins 22 September 2009 17:13 UTC www.family-crests.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ Despite claims to the contrary, the use of Fitz in a surname does not, and never did, denote illegitimacy.
  • directopedia : Directory : Regional : Europe : Poland : Society and Culture : Genealogy : Surnames 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.directopedia.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ Stephen , fitz Richard , fitz Robert , fitz William ) and only on some occasions did it become used as an actual surname, the most famous example being the FitzGerald Earls of Kildare .
  • Family name at AllExperts 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC en.allexperts.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  • Familyname.eu 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.familyname.eu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  .This misunderstanding may have originated because the illegitimate sons of English kings traditionally bore the surname Fitzroy (i.e., "son of the king."^ This misunderstanding may have originated because a number of illegitimate members of the British royal family were given such surnames: some of the illegitimate children of King Charles II were named FitzCharles or FitzRoy ("son of the King"); those of King James II were named FitzJames; those of Prince William, Duke of Clarence and St Andrews (later King William IV) were named FitzClarence.
  • Family Names and their origins 22 September 2009 17:13 UTC www.family-crests.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ This misunderstanding may have originated because a number of illegitimate members of the British royal family were given such surnames: some of the illegitimate children of King Charles II were named FitzCharles or FitzRoy ("son of the King"); those of King James II were named FitzJames ; those of Prince William, Duke of Clarence and St Andrews (later King William IV) were named FitzClarence .
  • Family name at AllExperts 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC en.allexperts.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  • Familyname.eu 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.familyname.eu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ DEXTER : English surname, originally denoting a female "dyer," but by the time it became a personal name it had already become strongly associated with Latin dexter "auspicious, right-handed," and was usually chosen as a forename because of this.
  • 20000-NAMES.COM: Surnames, Family Names, Page 3 of 6 15 January 2010 9:25 UTC www.20000-names.com [Source type: Original source]
  
  )
.
• O: Originally 'hua', meaning grandson, or descendant of, a given person.^ Personal characteristics have given origin to another class of surnames, descriptive of mental or bodily peculiarities.
  • Surname Origins Essay by William Arthur. Free Family Name Dictionary with Genealogy Resources by Ancestor Search 22 September 2009 17:13 UTC www.searchforancestors.com [Source type: Original source]
  
  ^ And it’s a truly original name with genuine personal meaning.
  • How the Palin Family Chooses Those Names - The Daily Beast 15 January 2010 9:25 UTC www.thedailybeast.com [Source type: General]
  
  ^ In Old Irish as 'ua', meaning grandson, or descendant, of a given person.
  • directopedia : Directory : Regional : Europe : Poland : Society and Culture : Genealogy : Surnames 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.directopedia.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  .For example, the ancestor of the O'Brien clan, Brian Boru (937-1014) was known in his lifetime as Brian mac Lorcan mac Cennedie, i.e., Brian the son of Lorcan the son of Cennedie.^ E.g., the ancestor of the O'Brien clan, Brian Boru (937-1014) was known in his lifetime as Brian mac Cennéide mac Lorcán ("Brian, the son of Cennéide, the son of Lorcán ").
  • Family Names and their origins 22 September 2009 17:13 UTC www.family-crests.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ E.g., the ancestor of the O'Brien clan, Brian Boru (937-1014) was known in his lifetime as Brian mac Cennéide mac Lorcán ("Brian, the son of Cennéide , the son of Lorcán ").
  • Familyname.eu 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.familyname.eu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ For example, the ancestor of the O'Brien clan , Brian Boru (937-1014) was known in his lifetime as Brian mac Lorcán mac Cennéide, i.e., Brian the son of Lorcán the son of Cennéide.
  • directopedia : Directory : Regional : Europe : Poland : Society and Culture : Genealogy : Surnames 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.directopedia.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  .Not till the time of his grandsons and great-grandsons was the name O'Brien used as a surname, used to denote descent from an illustrious ancestor.^ Not until the time of his grandsons and great-grandsons was the name O'Brien used as a surname, used to denote descent from an illustrious ancestor .
  • Family name at AllExperts 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC en.allexperts.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ Not till the time of his grandsons and great-grandsons was the name O'Brien used as a surname, used to denote descent from an illustrious ancestor .
  • directopedia : Directory : Regional : Europe : Poland : Society and Culture : Genealogy : Surnames 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.directopedia.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ Not until the time of his grandsons and great-grandsons was the name O'Brien used as a surname, used to denote descent from an illustrious ancestor.
  • Familyname.eu 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.familyname.eu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  • Family Names and their origins 22 September 2009 17:13 UTC www.family-crests.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  .It has for some two hundred years being written as O', but in recent years the apostrophe is being dropped, bringing it into line with early medieval forms.^ It has for some three hundred years been written as O', but in recent years the apostrophe is often dropped, bringing it into line with early medieval forms.
  • Family Names and their origins 22 September 2009 17:13 UTC www.family-crests.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ It has for some three hundred years been written as O ' , but in recent years the apostrophe is often dropped, bringing it into line with early medieval forms.
  • Family name at AllExperts 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC en.allexperts.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ It has for some three hundred years been written as O' , but in recent years the apostrophe is often dropped, bringing it into line with early medieval forms.
  • Familyname.eu 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.familyname.eu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  .Where the English version of a name is written, the O is unaccented and is separated from the family name by an apostrophe, as in O'Dea.^ In addition many Parsi, Bohra and Gujarati families have used English trade names as last names since the 18th and 19th centuries (Contractor, Engineer, Builder).
  • Family Names and their origins 22 September 2009 17:13 UTC www.family-crests.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ In addition many Parsi , Bohra and Gujarati families have used English trade names as last names since the 18th and 19th centuries (Contractor, Engineer, Builder).
  • Family name at AllExperts 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC en.allexperts.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  • Familyname.eu 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.familyname.eu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ Beware, the automatic translator reverses scientific names : please use the English version to save this list.
  • Killi-Data online - Family-group names 2006 15 January 2010 9:25 UTC www.killi-data.org [Source type: Academic]
  
  .Where the Irish version of a name is written, the Ó is accented and is separated from the family name by a space (no apostrophe), as in Ó Deághaidh.
• Uí: Originally used not as part of a surname but to denote related members of a dynasty or kin-group, all descended from a particular person, i.e., the Uí Néill, the Uí Censellagh.^ Also, many royal families do not use family names.
  • Family name at AllExperts 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC en.allexperts.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  • Familyname.eu 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.familyname.eu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  • Family Names and their origins 22 September 2009 17:13 UTC www.family-crests.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ Surnames, Family Names [ Suggest a Name for this page ] .
  • 20000-NAMES.COM: Surnames, Family Names, Page 3 of 6 15 January 2010 9:25 UTC www.20000-names.com [Source type: Original source]
  • 20000-NAMES.COM: Surnames, Family Names, Page 4 of 6 15 January 2010 9:25 UTC www.20000-names.com [Source type: Original source]
  
  ^ Uí : This is the plural of Ó and is used in reference to a kin-group or clan, e.g.
  • Familyname.eu 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.familyname.eu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  .Nowadays sometimes used in place of O. Pronounced as (U)ee.
• Ní: From the Irish word for daughter, íníon, and compressed into Ní.^ Ní: This is used for women instead of O before a surname and comes a shortened form of the Irish word for a daughter, e.g.
  • Family Names and their origins 22 September 2009 17:13 UTC www.family-crests.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ In the Christian era the word Mael was used in its place for given names such as Mael Bridget , Mael Padraig , Mael Lagan , Mael Sechlainn , and Mael Martain .
  • Familyname.eu 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.familyname.eu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ In the Christian era the word Mael was used in its place for given names such as Mael Bridget, Mael Padraig, Mael Sechlainn, Mael Martain, and so on.
  • directopedia : Directory : Regional : Europe : Poland : Society and Culture : Genealogy : Surnames 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.directopedia.org [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  .Pronounced as nee.
• Bean: Wife.^ Bean : "Wife", pronounced as ban .
  • Family name at AllExperts 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC en.allexperts.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ Bean: "Wife", pronounced /bæn?/.
  • Family Names and their origins 22 September 2009 17:13 UTC www.family-crests.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  ^ Bean : "Wife", pronounced .
  • Familyname.eu 25 September 2009 0:12 UTC www.familyname.eu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  
  Pronounced as baan.

Italy

Spain and Hispanic areas

For more details on this topic, see Iberian naming customs.

Portugal and Brazil

The Philippines

Iceland

For more details on Naming conventions of Iceland, see Icelandic name.

Scandinavia