Harrington Branch Names

Harrington branch names

The second most common surname found on the Beara peninsula is Harrington.  Because the name is so very common, a number of different branch names have been adopted over time to distinguish among them.

This list of branch names has been compiled from information provided by Riobard O'Dwyer over the years.

Harrington (Beecher) Origin unknown.

Harrington (Beecher-Caobach) a branch resulting from the marriage of a Harrington (Beecher) and a Harrington (Caobach).  There are other similarly hyphenated branch names.

Harrington (Bawn) is a white haired/fair-haired person.  Bawn is also associated with Murphy, Downey/Downing, Sullivan/O'Sullivan, wherever in Beara they are living.

Harrington (Capy). Men who wore capes at protest marches. Also Caupey/Capey

Harrington (Cait) Cat-like.

Harrington (Caobach/Keabough), a strong-willed man.  

CAOBACH/KEABOUGH means a 'black backed seagull - a quite strong willed dominant bird; the meaning must have been transferred to manly qualities.

Harrington (Caharagh/Caherach). A branch of Harringtons said to have come to Beara from Caheragh between Drimoleague and Skibbereen.

Harrington (Cooper) A Cooper made hoops for barrels.

Harrington (Causkey/Caskey) Those who followed the old Julian calendar, which brought Easter earlier. (The Gaelic word for Easter is Casc -- pronounced Cawck)

Harrington (Doctor). Capable of curing sick animals -- a type of vet, as distinct from a Medical Doctor.

Harrington (Duve) pronounced ‘duv’, is a black-haired/dark-haired person.

Harrington (Foley), known as the FOLEYS in the Kilmacowen area of the Eyeries Parish, were also called after a Foley woman from Urban who married a Harrington in Kilmacowen. There was a ”nest” of Harringtons all over Kilmacowen, so these particular family were thereafter called the FOLEYS.

Harrington (Gabha) or (Gow) A blacksmith.  Also Gow-Caobach

Harrington (Greasai) pronounced like greysee) = a shoemaker.  Also Greasi-Caobach

Harrington (Merigeach), Freckled

Harrington (Rua), Red-haired, red headed.

Harrington (Slasher). There was once a Beara man called Jack the slasher. At one time, he held the U.S.A record for the speed at which he slashed/or drilled mine shafts in Arizona.

Harrington (Slater) was a man whose job it was to put slates on a roof --- when roofs were slated rather than thatched.

Harrington (Stack) a man who worked at the Stack in the Allihies Copper Mines.

Harrington (Talliur) pronounced like thawluir. -- A tailor.

Harrington (Trokirre) ---- pronounced like throwcuira ---- a man who has much pity on people.

Harrington (Uonhi) Green – Uonhi, once a surname on its own, is now, in Beara, both an O'Sullivan and Harrington branch name.  It literally means “green.”

Harrington (Urdail) aka O'hUrdail  -- Now a branch name, originally an attempt to show the older Irish form of the name alongside the anglicized surname Harrington.

Library of Ireland: Ó hIONGARDAIL

Ó hIONGARDAIL—I—O Hingerdell, O Hungerdell, O Higerdell, (Harrington); ‘descendant of Iongardal’; now pronounced Ó hÚrdail; the name of well-known and numerous family in West Cork and South Kerry; also formerly common in Tipperary; now always anglicised Harrington.

Harrington (Uxside) From the Uxside townland in the Ardgroom district.

Harrington (Varrig). People who owned a heifer/a young cow --- dairymen.