List of Irish Clans in the province of Ulster
Northern Uí Néill
Niall of the Nine Hostages had seven sons, two of which, Owen (Eoghan) and Conall Gulban (Conaill) traveled north from the over-kingdom of Connacht and into the northern and western regions of the over-kingdom of Ulster, an area equivalent to modern-day County Donegal.
These two became the progenitors of the two Cenél's (or kindreds) that would make up the Northern Uí Néill; the Cenél Eóghain based in Inishowen, with their capital at Ailech; and the Cenél Conaill centered in the rich area of Magh Ithe, in the valley of the river Finn. For a time the Cenél Eóghain and Cenél Conaill alternated as kings of the Northern Uí Néill until the 8th century. The Northern Uí Néill would also alternate the High-Kingship of Ireland with their southern cousins the Southern Uí Néill into the 10th century.
Cenél nEóghain
Cenél Conaill
Cianachta
The Cianachta, or the race of Kane, also known as Clann Cian, descend from Cian, son of Oilioll Ólum, king of Munster in the 3rd century. The territory of the Cianachta spanned the present-day barony of Keenaght, which derives its name from them. By the 12th century, the Cianachta would be conquered by the Ó Cathaín.
Cianachta Glenn Geimin
The Cianachta Glenn Geimin of Clann Cian, or the Cianachta of Glengiven, ruled a region now known as Dungiven.
Sept(Common Forms) Ó Conchobhair(O'Connor, Connor) Meaning:Progenitor: Territory: Glenn Geimin, present day parish of DungivenExtra: Most powerful sept of the Cianachta, however were overthrown by the Ó Cathaín. Other forms of the name include: MacConnor, MacNaugher, MacNocker, MacNogher, MacNoher, and Nogher
Síl Colla Fochríth The Síl Colla Fochríth, descend from Colla Fochríth, the first king of Airgíalla and one of Three Collas. Clans and septs that are claimed to descend from Colla Fochríth but with no other information given include; Ui Maine, Fir Dubhshlat, Ui Conaill, and Ui Luain.
Imchad Imchad was one of Colla Fochríth's sons, and from him son Muiredach Méth would descend the Uí Méith. The Uí Méith territory spanned northern County Louth, eastern County Armagh, and later in County Monaghan. John O'Donovan in his notes on the Annals of the Four Masters marks that there were two groups of the Ui Meith name; the Uí Méith Macha (or Uí Méith Tiri) and the Uí Méith Mara.
The Uí Méith Macha were based in the barony of Monaghan in County Monaghan. The Uí Méith Mara, meaning "Omeath by the sea", was seated in Cualigne in northern County Louth. The name Uí Méith survives as the present day name of the village Omeath.
Sept(Common Forms) Ó hAnrachtaigh (Hanratty, O'Hanratty, Henvey) Meaning:Progenitor: Ionrachtach Territory: Northern County Louth, and later County MonaghanExtra: Styled as lords of Uí Méith Macha by O'Donovan. Archaic forms include: O'Hanraghty. Ó hAinbhith(Hanvey, O'Hanify, Hanfy) Meaning:Progenitor: Territory: County MonaghanExtra: Styled as lords of Uí Méith.
Cenél Rochada The Cenél Rochada are descended from Rochad, one of Colla Fochríth's sons. The following terms are noted in the Annals to describe or group the clans and septs that would descend from Rochad:
Uí Chremthainn – The Uí Chremthainn descend from Cremthann Liath, son of Fiac, son of Deig Duirn, son of Rochad. In effect the Uí Chremthainn consisted of multiple groups, part of the overall Airgíallan confederation. They ruled a territory spanning eastern County Fermanagh and northern County Monaghan. Síl Daim Argait – The Síl Daim Argait descend from Cairpre Daim Argait, son of Echach, son of Cremthann Liath, and are thus part of the Uí Chremthainn. Prominent groups include the Sil nDaimine and Clann Lugainn of the modern County Fermanagh area. Cairpre Daim Argait had three sons; Nadsluag, Lugain, and Daimine. Síl Duibthir – The Síl Duibthir are cited as being one of the "Trí Tuatha of Oirghialla" alongside the Uí Chremthainn and Fír Lemna. They descend from Duibthir, who in turn was descended from Cairpre Daim Argait, and are thus part of the Síl Daim Argait. The sept of Ua Laithéin are noted as chiefs of the Síl Duibthir. The territory of Sil Duibtir was just north of the Blackwater River and Clogher in what is now the civil parish of Clogher. Sil Duibtir were Kings of Ui Cremthainn and Airgialla in the 8th and 9th Centuries, including at the famous battle with the Cenél Eoghan at Leth Cam in 827AD. Uí Briúin Archaille – The Uí Briúin Archaille (also known as "Uí Briúin ar Chaill") descend from Brian son of Deig Duirn, who was a son of Rochad. This makes him the brother of Fiac from who the Uí Chremthainn descend. Their territory is described as being in the barony of Dungannon, County Tyrone. Dál nOaich – The Dál nOaich are cited as being descended from Cremthann Liath, who is also recorded as Cremthann Oach. Uí Labrada – The Uí Labrada descend from Labraid son of Deig Duirn, making him a brother to Brian and Fiac. Other than being noted in 1039 for slaying Murdoch mac Laverty O'Neill, the only other reference to them is the storming of their stronghold at Inis Uí Labrada by the Fir Manach. Uí Meic Brócc – The Uí Meic Brócc descend from Echdach Amainsen, son of Cremthann Liath. Not to be confused with the Uí Meics Brócc of the County Kerry Eóganacht. Síl nDaimine – The Sil nDaimine descend from Daimine, one of the sons of Cairpre Dam Argait, and are part of the Síl Daim Argait. Uí Cennfhada – The Uí Cennfhada descend from Fergus Cennfhada, King of Airgialla, who was a son of Crimmthain Liath and who descendants territory was Tír Cennfhada.Tír Cennfhada encompassed the Barony of Tirkennedy in Fermanagh, after which it is named and its former eastern portions made up of the civil parishes of Donacavey, Dromore and the southern part of Kilskeery. It was ruled from Fintona.
Clann Nadsluaig The Clann Nadsluaig descend from Nadsluag, one of the sons of Cairpre Dam Argait, and part of the Síl Daim Argait. Their territory was in County Monaghan.
Sept(Common Forms) Ó Cearbhall(Carroll, O'Carroll) Meaning:Progenitor: Cearbhall Territory: County MonaghanExtra: Princes of Oriel until their power was destroyed by John de Courcy Mac Mathúna(MacMahon, Mahon) Meaning: BearProgenitor: Territory: County MonaghanExtra: Ruled Monaghan from the decline of the Ó Cearbhall from the early 13th century to the end of the 16th century.Related Septs: Mac Pilib (MacPHILLIPS) and Mac Ardghail (MacARDLE)
Clann Lugain The Clann Lugain descend from Cormac, one of the sons of Cairpre Dam Argait, and are part of the Síl Daim Argait. Their territory was in County Fermanagh.
Sept(Common Forms) Mag Uidhir(Maguire, McGuire, Guire, Guirey, Quirey) Meaning: Dun-colouredProgenitor: Territory: County FermanaghExtra: Rose to prominence in around 1200, when Donn Mór Maguire established the sept in Lisnaskea, Fermanagh. Donn Carrach Maguire became the first Maguire King of Fermanagh in 1302, and between then and 1600, fifteen Maguires ruled as kings of Fermanagh. Mac Gafraidh(Godfrey, McCaffrey, MacGofraid) Meaning: God WiseProgenitor: Gofraidh mac Donn Mór Maguire Territory: Ballymacaffry, County FermanaghExtra: A Brehon family who were the Ollamhs to the Maguires. Mac Maghnuis(MacManus, Mann, Manasses, Mayne) Meaning: ManusProgenitor: Maghnus mac Donn Mór Maguire Territory: Ballymacmanus island (modern Belleisle), County FermanaghExtra: Hereditary managers of the fisheries of the Maguires. Cathal Óg MacManus would compile the "Annals of Ulster" Ó hÉighnigh(Heaney, Heeney, O'Heaney, O'Heeney) Meaning:Progenitor: Territory: County FermanaghExtra: Amongst others ruled as kings of Fermanagh and Oriel until the rise of the Maguires. Ó Maolruanaigh(Mulrooney, Rooney) Meaning:Progenitor: Territory: County FermanaghExtra: Amongst others ruled as kings of Fermanagh before the Maguires. Ó Dubhdara(O'Darragh, Darragh) Meaning:Progenitor: Territory: County FermanaghExtra: Amongst others ruled as kings of Fermanagh before the Maguires
Clann Ceallaigh Clann Ceallaigh descend from Cellach, son of Tuathal, king of the Uí Chremthainn, who in turn was descended from Daimine, one of the sons of Cairpre Dam Argait, and are part of the Síl Daim Argait. Clann Ceallaigh's name is preserved as the name of the modern barony of Clankelly in County Monaghan.
Sept(Common Forms) Mac Domhnaill(MacDonnell) Meaning:Progenitor: Territory: Counties Monaghan and FermanaghExtra: Fermanagh's oldest recorded ruling family. Their power was broken by the Maguires and they migrated to the MacMahon country of County Fermanagh where they became sub-chiefs. Mac Maolruanaigh(Macarooney, Rooney) Meaning:Progenitor: Territory: Clankelly, County MonaghanExtra: Ó Flannagáin(Flanagan, O'Flanagan) Meaning: Red, ruddyProgenitor: Flannacán mac Fogartach Territory: Counties Fermanagh and MonaghanExtra: Their headquarters was possibly in the parish of Donaghmoyne. Noted as chiefs of Tuath Rátha (Toorah) in County Fermanagh. Ó Baoighealláin(Boylan, Boyle) Meaning:Progenitor: Territory: County MonaghanExtra: Properly O'Boylan, this sept originally come from the same stock as the O'Flanagans in County Fermanagh and took over the kingship of the Dartraige (barony of Dartry) area of Monaghan in the late 10th century. By the end of the 11th century they controlled a vast tract of land from Fermanagh to Louth, and their chief was King of Fermanagh. By the 14th century however their power had been usurped by the MacMahon's.
Fernmag The Fernmag, or Fer Fernmaighe, is an area around Lough Ooney, aka Lock Uaithne near Smithborough in the barony of Dartry, County Monaghan. Immigration to south-eastern Monaghan brought the territorial name along with it, being preserved in the name of the barony of Farney. The genealogies given for the Fernmag claim they descend from Fergusa, the son of Nadsluaig, who was one of the sons of Cairpre Dam Argait.
Sept(Common Forms) Ó Lorcháin(Larkin) Meaning: Rough or fierceProgenitor: Territory: Barony of FarneyExtra: Chiefs of Farney and the Uí Breasail of County Armagh Ó Chríochain(O'Creehan) Meaning:Progenitor: Territory: Extra: Chiefs of Farney
Fír Lemna The Fír Lemna (also known as Uí Tuathail and Síl Tuathail) are cited as being one of the "Trí Tuatha of Oirghialla" alongside the Uí Chremthainn and Síl Dubthir. Its territory was near Clogher, County Tyrone. The region of Magh Lemna is given as being in the parishes of Clogher and Errigal Keerogue in southern County Tyrone bordering County Monaghan. Their ancestry is cited as being from Tuathal, a son of Daimíne, making them part of the Síl nDaimini.
Sept(Common Forms) Ó Caomhain(O'Coen, Coen, Cohen, Cowan) Meaning:Progenitor: Territory: Extra: Cited as a king of Magh Lemna
Síl Fiachra Cassán The Síl Fiachra Cassán, descend from Fiachra Cassán, a son of Colla Fochríth. Airthir (barony of Lower and Upper Orior), meaning 'east', was one of the main branches of the Síl Fiachra Cassán until the 8th century when it split into the main septs of the Uí Nialláin, the Uí Bressail, and the Uí Echdach. The territory of Airthir was centered in Ard Macha (County Armagh), along the eastern baronies of Orior. Some of the clans given as part of the Síl Fiachra Cassán include:
Uí Cruind Uí Tréna – The Uí Tréna were located in County Armagh and claimed to be descended from Trian, son of Feidhlimidh (Phelim), son of Fiachra Cassán. Not to be confused with the Uí Tréna in Leinster or Munster. Uí Dorthain – Also recorded as the Uí Dorthinn, Dorthaind, Dorethainn, Tortain, they are cited as being possibly near Ardbraccan, County Meath. They descend from Dorthon, grandson of Feidhlimidh, son of Fiachra Cassán. Clann Sínaigh – This clan is described as being in Airthir (Orior) in County Armagh, with the genealogies showing descent from Fiachrac Cassán.
Uí Echach