The Cenél nEógain ('Kindred of Owen') are a branch of the Northern Uí Néill, who claim descent from Eógan mac Néill, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages. Originally their power base was in Inishowen, with their capital at Ailech, in modern-day County Donegal in what is now the west of Ulster. Under pressure from the Cenél Conaill, they gradually spread their influence eastwards into modern counties Tyrone and Londonderry, pushing aside the Cruithin east of the River Bann, and encroaching on the Airgiallan tribes west of Lough Neagh. By the 11th century, their power base had moved from Ailech to Tullyhogue outside Cookstown, County Tyrone. By the 12th century, the Cenél Conaill conquered Inishowen; however, it mattered little to the Cenél nEóghain as they had established a powerful over-kingdom in the east that had become known as Tír Eoghain, or the "Land of Owen", preserved in the modern-day name of County Tyrone.

At their greatest, they held land spanning much of County Tyrone, as well as parts of counties Donegal, Fermanagh, Londonderry, Monaghan, Armagh and Antrim.

Below is a list of their principal clans and septs.

  Sept of Irish origin
  Sept of Scottish origin

Clann Néill

The name O'Neill may come from Niall Glúndub, however the Clann Néill (more commonly known as Clan Neill) takes its name from his grandfather Néill Caille. The O'Neills and MacLoughlins who descend from this branch, were the two principal and most powerful septs of the Cenél nEógain, however, the MacLoughlins defeat at the hands of the O'Neills in 1241 led to the O'Neills dominance over the Cenél nEógain.

Sept
(Common Forms)
Ó Néill (Ruadh)
(O'Neill, Neill)
Progenitor: Ruadh Ó Néill Territory: Kingdom of Tyrone
Extra: The principal branch of the Cenél nEógain; named after Niall Ruadh (Red Niall), Prince of Tyrone, brother of Aodh Dubh (Black Hugh), King of Ulster.
Mac Lochlainn
(MacLoughlin, Loughlin MacLaughlin, Laughlin)
Progenitor: Lochlann Territory: Barony of Inishowen, Kingdom of Tyrone
Extra: A powerful family of the Northern Uí Néill that dominated Ulster in the early medieval period; some MacLaughlins will originally be O'Melaghlins, descended from Máel Sechnaill II.
Mac Suibhne
(Sweeney, MacSweeney)
Progenitor: Suibhne Ó Néill Territory: Fanad, Banagh and the Territories in Tirconnell
Extra: Descended from Suibhne O'Neill, a Scottish chieftain from Argyll. A mixture of Dalriadic Gaels and Norsemen, they came to Ulster as gallowglass.
Mac Seáin
(MacShane, MacSean)
Progenitor: Séan Ó Néill Territory: North-east Tyrone, later Donegal and Louth
Extra: Hereditary title of Chief of Moy Ith or Mag Itha (eastern Donegal, southern Londonderry, northern Tyrone); the small sept of O'hAmhsaigh from northeastern Londonderry allied themselves to the MacShanes.
Mac Néill
(MacNeill, MacNeil)
Progenitor: Territory: Counties Antrim and Londonderry (Scottish Highlands and isles)
Extra: Originate from the Scottish Clan MacNeil, who claim to descend from Niall, and are 21st in descent from Niall of the Nine Hostages. They came to Ireland as gallowglass, and later as pirates.
Mac Conmidhe
(MacNamee, MacConamy, Conamy)
Progenitor: Territory: Counties Tyrone and Derry
Extra: Hereditary poets and ollavs to the O'Neills.
Mac Laomuinn
(Lamont, MacLamont, MacLamond, MacErchar)
Progenitor: Ladhman mac Giolla Colum Territory: County Tyrone
Extra: The Mac Laomuinn ancestry allegedly traces them to Flaithbertach Ua Néill.
Mac Eoghain
(MacEwen, MacKeown, Keon, MacCune)
Progenitor: Territory:
Extra: Many are originally Ó hEoghain (O'Keown) rather than Mac Eoghain

Clann Aodha Buidhe

The Clann Aodha Buidhe, or the Clandeboye O'Neill ("clan of Hugh the Blonde"), is a branch of Clann Néill, descended from Aodh Buidhe O'Neill (1260–83), King of Ulster and last King to be called King of Ailech. The Clandeboye O'Neills would later take control over most of eastern Ulster with the collapse of the Earldom of Ulster due to the invasion of Edward Bruce, whom they had opposed. Henry O'Neill of this line was King of Ulster from 1325 to 1344; Art O'Neill from 1509 to 1514.[1]

Sept
(Common Forms)
Ó Néill
(O'Neill, Neill)
Progenitor: Aodh Buidhe Ó Néill Territory: Antrim, Down and the barony of Loughinsholin
Extra: This branch of the O'Neills is more commonly known as the Clandeboy O'Neill's, with Clandeboy being the Anglicisation of Clann Aodha Bhuidhe.
Ó Gnímh
(Agnew, O'Gnyw, O'Gnew, O'Gnive)
Progenitor: Territory:
Extra: Hereditary poets of the O'Neill of Clandeboye; later served the MacDonnell Earls of Antrim.

Clann Cathaín

The O'Cahan's of the Route are a branch of the Ó Cathaín that moved into the area of north-eastern County Londonderry and north-western County Antrim known historically as "the Route". The Route was held by the Hiberno-Norman MacQuillans, and a fierce rivalry would erupt between the O'Cahans and MacQuillans. The end of this rivalry would see the destruction of the MacQuillans' power and the weakening of the O'Cahans corresponding to the rise of MacDonnells.

The Scottish clans Munro and Buchanan are traditionally said to descend from the O'Cahans.

Sept
(Common Forms)
Ó Cathaín
(O'Cahan, O'Kane, Kane, Keane)
Progenitor: Cathan Ó Néill Territory: O'Cahan Country, equivalent to the barony of Keenaght, County Londonderry
Extra: A powerful branch of the Northern Uí Néill that had the privilege of inaugurating the O'Neill.
Mac Bhloscaidh
(MacCloskey, MacCluskey)
Progenitor: Bloscaidh Ó Cathaín Territory: Barony of Keenaght, Derry
Extra:
Ó Maoláin
(O'Mullan, Mullan, Mullin, Mullane)
Progenitor: Maolán Ó Cathaín Territory: Barony of Keenaght, Derry
Extra:

Clann Domhnaill

The Clann Domnaill (Clan Donnell) originated in County Donegal however moved eastwards into what is now County Tyrone. The clan is descended from Domnaill mac Áed, son of Áed Findliath and Gormlaith Rapach, daughter of Muiredach mac Echdach, King of Ulster.

Sept
(Common Forms)
Ó Donnghaile
(O'Donnelly, Donnelly, Donelly)
Progenitor: Donnghal Ó Néill Territory: Fear Droma Lighen, (Drumleen), Donegal then Baile-Ua-nDonnghail (Ballydonnelly), Tyrone

Extra: Hereditary chief was marshal of the O'Neill's forces, chief of Clann Domhnaill.

Cenél Moain

The Cenél Moain or Cenél Moen (old Irish: Cineal Moain "kindred of Moan") descended from Moan, son of Muiredach, son of Eógan, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages. In the 14th century, the clan was forced across the River Foyle by the O'Donnells to northeast and east Strabane, County Tyrone.

Sept(Common Forms)
Ó Gormghaile

(O'Gormley, Gormley)

Progenitor: Gormghal mac Moain Territory: Rahpoe, Donegal, then Strabane, Tyrone

Extra: There is some confusion surrounding the name which is also recorded as Ó Goirmleaghaigh. The clan were hereditary chiefs of Cenél Moain and produced a King of Ailech in the 1140s.

Ó Lúinigh

(O'Lunney, Lunney)

Progenitor: Lúineach mac Gormghaile Territory: Muintir Lúinigh (Munter Luny), Strabane, Tyrone

Extra: Also, at various times, the chiefs of Cenél Moain. The Uí Lúinigh ruled a large territory in the Sperrin Mountains known as Muintir Lúinigh, and fostered Turlough Luineach O'Neill, whose sobriquet is derived from the clan.

Mac Conallaidh

(MacAnally, MacNally)

Progenitor: Cú Allaidh Territory: Lios Chon Allaidh (Lisanally), Strabane, Tyrone

Extra: Cenél Moain sept Uachtarach.

Ó Peatáin

(Petane, Patten, etc.)

Progenitor: Peatán Territory: Raphoe, Donegal

Extra:

Other names and septs associated with Cenél Moain include: MacAleer, MacGarvey, O'Crean, O'Tierney, O'Kelly and O'Cernaghan.

Cenél Birnn

The Clann Birnn is descended from Bern mac Ruadrí mac Murchad mac Máel Dúin mac Áeda Alláin. This clan resided in Muintir Birnn (in the barony of Dungannon) and Tellach Ainbhith (in the barony of Strabane) both in modern-day County Tyrone.

Sept
(Common Forms)
Mac Ruaidhrí
(MacRory, MacCrory, MacReary)
Progenitor: Territory: Teallach Ainbhith and Muintir-Birn, and Ballynascreen in County Londonderry
Extra:

Cenél Feargusa

The Cenél Feargusa (kindred of Fergus) are descended from Fergus, son of Eogan, son Niall of the Nine Hostages. It is sometimes also known as the Cenél Coelbad as the descended septs are through his son Coelbad. The clan originally resided in Inishowen, County Donegal before battling their way towards Tullyhogue, County Tyrone where they became masters of Tyrone and the vanguard of the O'Neills. They advanced into Tyrone after the Cenél mBinnigh had already led the way.

Sept
(Common Forms)
Ó hÁgáin
(O'Hagan, Hagan)
Progenitor: Ágán mac Coelbad Territory: Originally Inishowen, then Tullyhogue in Tyrone
Extra: Originally spelt Ó hÓgáin. Held the hereditary right of inaugurating the O'Neill as King of Ulster, as well as hereditary brehons of the O'Neill.
Ó Coinne
(O'Quinn, Quinn, Conney, Quinney)
Progenitor: Coínne mac Coelbad Territory: Originally Inishowen, then Tyrone
Extra: Acted as quartermasters to the O'Neill.
Ó Maelfabhail
(Mulfall, Lavelle)
Progenitor: Mael Fabaill mac Coelbad Territory: Carrickbraghy in north-west Inishowen, and later Derry and Tyrone
Extra: Last of the Cenél nEóghain clans in its ancestral homeland of Inishowen, conquered by the O'Dohertys of the Cenél Conaill.
Ó Mealláin
(O'Mallon, O'Mellan, Mallon, Mellan)
Progenitor: Aedh mac Fergus Territory: Meallanacht (O'Mellan's Country), Slieve Gallion
Extra: Joint keepers of St. Patrick's bell, the Bell of Testament.
Ó Robhartaigh
(O'Roarty, Roarty)
Progenitor: Territory: Donegal
Extra: An ecclesiastical sept who were co-arbs to St Columcille on Tory Island.

Cenél mBinnigh

The Cenél mBinnigh are descended from Eochu Binneach, son of Eógan. The Cenél mBinnigh were the first clan of the Cenél nEóghain to advance from Inishowen, bypassing the fierce resistance of the Ciannachta (northern Londonderry) and into western Airgialla (modern-day County Tyrone), and in doing so ousted several Airgiallan clans to the east of the River Bann.

Sept
(Common Forms)

Ó hÁdhmaill
(O'Hamill, Hamill)
Progenitor: Territory: South Tyrone and Armagh
Extra:

Cenél Fearadhaigh

The Cenél Fearadhaigh, or 'kindred of Ferry', descend from Feradach mac Muiredach (Ferry MacMurdoch), a grandson of Eógan, and by the 12th century controlled a large portion of County Tyrone and had penetrated deep into County Fermanagh. By the mid-14th century, the Maguires would break the power of the Cenél Fearadhaigh in Fermanagh.

Sept
(Common Forms)
Mac Cathmhaoil
(MacCaul, MacCawell, MacCall)
Progenitor: Territory: Barony of Clogher, County Tyrone
Extra: Leading sept of the Cenél Fearadhaigh.
Mag Uidhrín
(MacGivern, MacGiveran)
Progenitor: Uidhrín Ua Maoil-Muire Territory: Barony of Clogher, Co. Tyrone
Extra:
Mac Giolla Mhártain
(MacGilmartin, Gilmartin, Martin, Kilmartin)
Progenitor: Territory: Barony of Clogher, County Tyrone
Extra:
Maolgeimridh />(Mulgomery, Montgomery) Progenitor: Territory: Barony of Clogher, County Tyrone
Extra:
Maolpadraig />(Mulpatrick, Kilpatrick) Progenitor: Territory: Barony of Clogher, County Tyrone
Extra:
Ó Brolacháin
(O'Brollaghan, Brollaghan)
Progenitor: Territory: Parts of Donegal, Derry, and Tyrone
Extra:
Ó Fearadhaigh
(O'Ferry, Ferry)
Progenitor: Territory: Donegal
Extra:
Mac Fhiachra
(MacKeighry, MacKeefry, MacKeaghery)
Progenitor: Territory: Tyrone
Extra:

Cenél Tigernaich

Sept(Common Forms)
Ó Maoilfothartaigh

(O'Mulfoharty)

Progenitor: Territory: County Tyrone

Extra:

Ó hEodhusa

(O'Hosey, Hosea)

Progenitor: Territory: County Tyrone

Extra:

Ó Corragáin

(O'Corrigan)

Progenitor: Territory:

Extra:

Cenél Aenghusa

Sept
(Common Forms)
Mac Cana
(MacCann)
Progenitor: Territory: Ailech, Donegal then Clanbressil, County Armagh
Extra: The Cenél Aenghusa, or 'kindred of Angus', are only mentioned as being of the Cenél nEóghain by a citation in the Annals, with a similar reference in the Book of Lecan.

Cenél Earca

The Cenél Earca ('kindred of Earca') descend from Muircherdaich, a grandson of Eógan, who was also called Mac Earca after his mother, a princess of Dalriada. A Máel Fithrich, son of Áeda Uaridnaich, was styled as being the chief of this branch, and his death at the hands of the Cenél Fearadhaigh saw this branch end up in the barony of Clogher, County Tyrone.

Clann Conchúir Magh Ithe

The Clann Conchúir Magh Ithe, or Clan Connor, originally hailed from Magh Ithe in County Donegal before moving into County Londonderry, ruling a region that became known as O'Cahan Country. This clan descended from Connor Mac Fergal, who in turn is descended from Muirceartach Mac Earca founder of the Cenél Mic Earca.

See also

Sources

  • Bell, Robert (1988). The Book of Ulster Surnames. The Black Staff Press.
  • Connolly, S.J. (2007). The Oxford Companion to Irish History (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199234837.
  • Duffy, Seán (2005). Medieval Ireland. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9781135948245.
  • Ellis, Peter Beresford (1999). Erin's Royal Blood. London.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Ó Ceallaigh, Séamus (1951). A Preliminary Note on Some of the Nomenclature on the Map of S.E. Ulster... Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland.
  • Ó Ceallaigh, Séamus (1994). Gleanings from Ulster History (Punann ó Chois Bhanna). Cork University Press.
  • Woulfe, Patrick (1921). Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames. M. H. Gill & son.

References

  1. Ellis 1999, p. 230-231.
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