Ó Tomhrair
Encyclopedia
Ó Tomhrair is a masculine surname
in the Irish language
. The name translates into English
as "descendant of Arailt". The surname originated as a patronym, however it no longer refers to the actual name of the bearer's grandfather. There are several variations of the surname, such as Ó Tomhnair and Ó Tomhnra. There are specific forms of these surnames that are borne by married and unmarried females. There are also numerous Anglicised forms of these Irish surnames.
as "descendant of Tomhrar". Variant forms of the surname include Ó Tomhnair and Ó Tomhnra. According to Patrick Woulfe, the form Ó Tomhnair is the older form of the name. These surnames originated as patronyms, however they no longer refer to the actual name of the bearer's grandfather. The name Tomhrar is a Gaelic derivative of the Old Norse
personal name
Þórarr.
; Woulfe, who wrote in the early 20th century, noted that the surname was then common in Ulster
. The surname Ó Tomhnra has been Anglicised as Tonra
, and Tonry; Woulfe noted that the surnames were found in County Sligo and County Mayo
, but were rare there.. Extant variants also include Tonery, Tonrey, and Tonroy. Tomroy may be an extinct variant.
, in County Donegal
. This family built a church called Cill Ó dTomhrair, which is now Anglicised as Killodonnell.
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
in the Irish language
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
. The name translates into English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
as "descendant of Arailt". The surname originated as a patronym, however it no longer refers to the actual name of the bearer's grandfather. There are several variations of the surname, such as Ó Tomhnair and Ó Tomhnra. There are specific forms of these surnames that are borne by married and unmarried females. There are also numerous Anglicised forms of these Irish surnames.
Etymology
Ó Tomhrair translates into EnglishEnglish language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
as "descendant of Tomhrar". Variant forms of the surname include Ó Tomhnair and Ó Tomhnra. According to Patrick Woulfe, the form Ó Tomhnair is the older form of the name. These surnames originated as patronyms, however they no longer refer to the actual name of the bearer's grandfather. The name Tomhrar is a Gaelic derivative of the Old Norse
Old Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
personal name
Personal name
A personal name is the proper name identifying an individual person, and today usually comprises a given name bestowed at birth or at a young age plus a surname. It is nearly universal for a human to have a name; except in rare cases, for example feral children growing up in isolation, or infants...
Þórarr.
Feminine forms
Ó Tomhrair, Ó Tomhnair, and Ó Tomhnra are a masculine surnames. The forms of this surname for unmarried females is Ní Thomhrair, Ní Thomhnair, and Ní Thomhnra; these three names translate into English as "daughter of the descendant of Tomhrar". The forms of these surnames for married females is Bean Uí Thomhrair, Bean Uí Thomhnair, and Bean Uí Thomhnra; or simply Uí Thomhrair, Uí Thomhnair, and Uí Thomhnra; these six surnames translate to "wife of the descendant of Tomhrar".Anglicised forms
The surnames Ó Tomhrair and Ó Tomhnair have historically been Anglicised variously as TonerToner (surname)
Toner is a surname in the English language. The name is an Anglicisation of the Gaelic Ó Tomhrair, meaning "descendant of Tomhrar". The Gaelic Tomhrar is a form of an Old Norse personal name. It also has a separate origin in Turkey...
; Woulfe, who wrote in the early 20th century, noted that the surname was then common in Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
. The surname Ó Tomhnra has been Anglicised as Tonra
Tonra
Tonra is a surname in the English language. The surname is an Anglicised form of the Irish Ó Tomhnra....
, and Tonry; Woulfe noted that the surnames were found in County Sligo and County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
, but were rare there.. Extant variants also include Tonery, Tonrey, and Tonroy. Tomroy may be an extinct variant.
Families
A family who bore the surnames Ó Tomhrair and Ó Tomhnair were a branch of Cinel Eoghain, and were historically seated near Lough SwillyLough Swilly
Lough Swilly in Ireland is a glacial fjord or sea inlet lying between the western side of the Inishowen Peninsula and the Fanad Peninsula, in County Donegal. Along with Carlingford Lough and Killary Harbour it is one of three known glacial fjords in Ireland....
, in County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
. This family built a church called Cill Ó dTomhrair, which is now Anglicised as Killodonnell.