Hi again! I have a question that I'm hoping some of the Connemara people may be able to help with. Is anyone familiar with the anglicization process of surnames in Connemara? I know the anglicization process started in Ireland in the early 1600s, but I'm wondering whether or not this affected Connemara. For example, if a family immigrated to America in the 1880s, would they have used the last name Breathnach or would that have been anglicized (i.e., Walsh)?

If anyone can help, I'd greatly appreciate it!

Christy

There is a good chance that it would have been Anglicized as Brannagh...

We kept the English influence out of Conamara longer than other places in Ireland, but I'd say that by the 19th century most official things would likely be in English, birth certs etc.
But certainly at home names would be in Irish, and known more after their parents and grandparents than their surnames. For example Not Micil Breathnach, but Micil Pháraic Choilimín.

I'm guessing that once they reached America names would've been Anglicised anyhow whether they wanted to or not. But I can't say any of this for sure.

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It is recommended that you always wait for three to agree on a translation.
I speak Connemara Irish, and my input will often reflect that.
I will do an mp3 file on request for short translations.
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Despite what people think, it wasn't the policy of American immigration officials to Anglicize names. But often neither the immigrants (many of whom were illiterate) nor the admitting officers (many of whom were barely literate) knew how to spell a particular name, so they compromised on whatever seemed to work. Sometimes immigrants even deliberately chose a more "English" sounding name to fit in (legend is that Tony's family went with "Nickel" over "Nikkel" in order to jump the line!).

Thanks, all! I finally found a site today that gave more information on immigrant processing in the US and what you're telling me is right in the same line with that. Chances are, in this case, they would've given their Irish names, but not being literate, it would've been the processor's spelling that was used. Thanks!

And thanks for giving the feedback on the information that you found as it is always interesting to hear the follow-through on questions asked. Good luck with your research.

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Thanks, Saoirse. The translators on here have been great with my somewhat complicated questions.

@ Brid, I also found information on the naming system you described, including an episode of In the Name of the Fada on YouTube talking about living with the "Phat Willys." Wow.

-Christy

We have to use surnames officially.
But locally most native Conamara people will be known from their parents/grandparents first names (It's probably the same in other Gaeltachts).
You could come to a town like An Cheathrú Rua, for example, and ask for Bríd Flaherty. You'd be asked which one out of the 20 Bríd Flahertys do you want. (in rural areas houses don't have numbers either). But ask for Bríd Bhaba Chóilín and people will know right away, that name makes you unique.
People that are known only by their surnames are usually blown -ins, who have no roots in the area.

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It is recommended that you always wait for three to agree on a translation.
I speak Connemara Irish, and my input will often reflect that.
I will do an mp3 file on request for short translations.
___________________________________________________________

Brid, That naming system was also used in non-Gaeltacht areas. I had relatives Johnny Mary Ann, Jimmy Joe Ann and they were also villagers known by their occupation such as Jamesy the Painter and Jamesy the Baker.

Yes we have people named after occupations too.
Seán an Tailliúra, Seán an ghréasaí,
there is even a family in Casla named because they live near the bridge there.
Muintir an Droichid.

_________________
___________________________________________________________

It is recommended that you always wait for three to agree on a translation.
I speak Connemara Irish, and my input will often reflect that.
I will do an mp3 file on request for short translations.
___________________________________________________________