Surname O'Loingsigh - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'O'
O'Loingsigh: What does the surname O'Loingsigh mean?
The last name O'Loingsigh is an Irish name. It originated from the Irish word “O’Luingeacha” which is a compound of the Gaelic words "O" (meaning grandson or descendant) and "Luingeacha" (meaning celebrated or winner). Together they form a complete phrase that means “Descendants of a Champion”.
The O’Loingsighs were traditionally a clan of chiefs in County Cork, Ireland who ruled an area known as Muskerry. They were a powerful and influential family of Gaelic gentry who were politically independent and took part in all affairs of state. They had a stronghold in the west of Ireland during the 16th century and were one of the principal forces in the Irish Rebellion of 1599 against the English rule.
The O’Loingsighs also had extensive land holdings in Cork, Limerick and Tipperary. During the 1600s and 1700s, they began to lose some of their land and power until the early 1900s when the last remaining land was auctioned off. Despite their diminished economic status, there are still O’Loingsighs with a strong sense of their family history and cultural identity.
In modern times, the name O’Loingsigh can be found as an academic surname amongst prominent scholars. It is also used by many people within the Irish diaspora around the world. For those with the last name, their ancestral roots are sure to be a source of pride.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Loingsigh: Where does the name O'Loingsigh come from?
The last name O'Loingsigh is most commonly found in Ireland today. Historically, the name was given to families belonging to the same descendants of the 12th century clan of O'Longsigh, who were a Gaelic-Irish people living in what was known as Tir Conaill, which is now County Donegal. This name is derived from the Gaelic “O Longsighe,” meaning “descendant of a shipman.” O’Longsigh was thought to be a seaman who may have arrived from Viking-held territories.
The O'Loingsigh families were dispersed during the Irish Potato Famine of the mid-1800s. While some of the family members dispersed to other parts of the world, most stayed in County Donegal and the surrounding counties. The O'Loingsigh families who stayed in the area eventually became absorbed into 18th and 19th-century Irish culture and today the O'Loingsigh name is still common in this area.
The name O'Loingsigh can also be found in other parts of the world, primarily in the United States and Australia, as there were many Irish immigrants to both countries during the 19th century. In the US, the O'Loingsigh name is probably most common in areas that were settled by immigrants from County Donegal such as New York and Pennsylvania.
Today, the O'Loingsigh name is still seen in some parts of Ireland, most notably in the County Donegal region where it originated. The name is also scattered around the rest of the world, with a significant concentration in the US and Australia.
Variations of the surname O'Loingsigh
The surname O'Loingsigh has several variants and spellings, like O'Lonningsigh, O'Lonnsygh, O'Lonnseygh, O'Lonnsigh, O Leneghe, O Lonnsigh, O Lonneysigh, among others.
This surname is derived from an ancient Gaelic phrase Ó Loinnseaghaigh, meaning "son of Loinnseaghaigh", with Loinnseaghaigh meaning "one who has a generous spirit or mood". It is generally considered to be a sept of the Ui Fiachrach or Connacht branch of the great medieval Irish kingdom of Oriel.
It is thought to have originated in County Sligo but is now found throughout the country. Today, the surname is found in many areas of the country, including parts of Ireland, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.
In some parts, it is also used as a given name for boys. Some alternate spellings of this name include O'Lonngsygh, O'Lonngseygh, O'Lonnseygh, O'Lonnsigh, O'Leneghe, O'Lonnsigh, O'Lonnsygh, and O'Lonneysigh, all of which originate from the same root words.
It is sometimes also spelled without the 'O' prefix, as Loningsigh, Lonnsygh, Lonnseygh, Lonnsigh, Leneghe, Lonnsigh, Lonnsygh, and Lonneyigh. Additionally, some alternate surnames of the same origin include Laningsigh, Lannersigh, Laningeygh, Lanninsigh, Liningsyg, and Lanneysige.
Famous people with the name O'Loingsigh
- Lorcán Ó Loingsigh (Irish politician)
- Maurice O'Loingsigh (Irish author)
- Austin O'Loingsigh (American actor)
- Aisin-Gioro Yitian (Prince of Qing dynasty)
- Peggy O'Loingsigh (Irish actress)
- Mark O'Loingsigh (American record producer)
- Martin O'Loingsigh (Irish radio and tv presenter)
- Seamus O'Loingsigh (Irish politician)
- Shane O'Loingsigh (Irish singer-songwriter)
- Maureen O'Loingsigh (Irish actress)
- Enda O'Loingsigh (Irish footballer)
- Des O'Loingsigh (English comedian and writer)
- Rory O'Loingsigh (Irish musician)
- Jimmy O'Loingsigh (Irish comedian)
- Brendan O'Loingsigh (Irish hurling player)