Part 2 of Early Irish Population-Groups: Their Nomenclature, Classification, and Chronology

Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition

Early Irish Population-Groups: Their Nomenclature, Classification, and Chronology (Author: [unknown])

section 2

Collective Names

¶29] Already, before the earliest documentary period, a new formula has come into general use, that of collective singular names. Of such names there are five varieties:—

Dál followed by genitive eponym, e.g. Dál Cais.
Corcu followed by genitive eponym, e.g. Corcu Duibne.
Eponym compounded with -rige, e.g. Boonrige.
compounded with -ne, e.g. Cuircne.
Eponym compounded with -acht, e.g. Cianacht.

Loigis (Mid. I. Laigis, modern I. Laoighis, English Leix), gen. sg. Lóigse, may be a sixth variety.

¶30] Until the eighth century, this class of people-names, which I would call the second order, though long established, had not become stereotyped as in later usage. They were to some extent interchangeable. Korku Reti (Adamnan) = Dál Riatai. Corcu Sai (L. Arm.) = Sairige. Dál Musca = Muscraige. Dál nEogain, Dál Cein = Eoganacht, Cianacht. This interchangeable character shows that the different forms were felt to belong to one order or system of nomenclature, which is also proved by the applicability to all of the personal name-formula in moccu (Ogham mucoi, maqi mucoi), which becomes obsolete in the eighth century.

¶31] The eponym is occasionally feminine. From this and other indications, I have formed the opinion that the eponymous ancestor may be a divine or mythological personage. Many of the stories in which the genealogists relate the origin of these early groups bear a strong mythological character.

¶32] Dál is explained by the Venerable Bede, in reference to the Dalreudini (i.e. Dál Réti, Dál Riata), as meaning pars, and this among various senses of the word seems best suited to its usage in people-names: Dál Réti, Réte's division or section of the Érainn. The eponym may be often, if not always, the name of a divine ancestor.

¶33] Corcu (later Corco, Corca) appears as an indeclinable noun.⁴ A possible connexion with coirce is suggested to me by Professor Marstrander: compare the use of Síl in later group-names, e.g. Síl Muiredaig.
The genealogists, ignoring the obvious fact that Corcu is a common generic term equivalent to Dál, supply an eponymous ancestor Corc for several of the peoples named in this form.

p.65

¶34] Dál is found before the following eponyms:—

Aengusa Musca
Airde
nAisci (Naisci?)
Araidi
Auluim
Oluim
Uluim
Baiscinn
Bardeni
Bairdine
Beccon
Birnd
Buachalla
Buain
Buinne
Bundruini
Cabail
Cabula
Cauala
Cairbri
Coirpri
Cais
Calathbuig
Cathula
Cealtru
Ceata
Céin
Céte
Ceide
Cethirnn
Codaid
Conchubuir
Condad⁵
Condaid
Condaith
Confinn
Congaile
Conluain
Connaig
Conrach
Corb
Cormaic
Cualni
Cuinn
Cuirb
Cuirc⁶
Cula
Dairine
Dalláin⁷
Damail
Didil
Ditil
Druithne
Duach
Duibne
Duluim
Echach
Eogain
Fiachach
Fiatach
Foichidh
Gabla
Gailline
Gella
Idnu
Imdae
nIochair
Luigne
Luigni
Luiscni
Luiscin
Macon
Meacon
Mecon
Maic Con
Mic Con
Maic Cuirp
Maic Néth
Maigin
Maigne
Maignen
Maignenn
Maithe
Maitti
Mathar
Math⁸ Lego
Math⁹ Lobha
Mathra
Mathrach
Matrach
Metrach
Maugnae
Mechon
Mochon
Menda
Meandach
Mendad
Mendato
Mendet
Mennaid
Medruad
Mendraide
Messe Corb
Mas Corb
Mes Corb
Messin Corb
Mos Corp
Mocoirp
Mo Dala
Mo Dola
Mo Dula
Moga
Moga Ruith
Muaigh
Mude
Mudine Indae
Mugaide
Mugaidithi
Mugith
Muigid
Muine
Muindi
Muisge
Muith
Musca
Na Cethre nArad
Nat Corp
Niad Corb
Niath Lega
[Niath Lobha]
Nimde
Nuidne
Nuidine
Nuisce
Nuiscidi
nOich
Riatai
Riata
Riada
Ruitne
Runtair
Runtir
Sailni
Seille
Tidil
Tidilli
Tri Conall
nUlad
nUlaim
Uoig
Urcon

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¶35] Corcu is found before the following eponyms:—

Achland
Achlann
Athchlann
Achrach
Acrach
Adain
Adaim
Aengusa
hAibligh¹⁰
Ainge
Airtbe
Airtbind
Airtgein
Aland¹¹
Andsae
Aola
Arad
Athrach
Ethrach
Auloim
Auniche¹²
Bairdni
Baiscinn
Bibuir
Bill
Birn
Bruidhi¹³
Caela¹⁴
Chaelraigi
Caullain
Ce¹⁵
Cede
Chéin
Cluain
Choemne¹⁶
Coilgenn
Comne
Condlaigen
Condluain
Chroissine
Croisin
Cuilend
Cuirn
Chuirnd
Culla
Dain¹⁷
Dálann
Dallan
De
Deala
Dega
Dene
Díne
Dimoena
Doine
Dome
Din
Ditha
Dithechtai
Condithechtai
Druithne
Duib¹⁸
Duibe
Duibne
Duibindi
Duibne
Duichne
Duin¹⁹
Duithne
Dula
Echlann
Echrach
Ela
Ele²⁰
Ethrach
Echach
Ethach
Eoluim
Faimnia
Fásaigh
Ferai
Fiachach
Fiachrach
Fir Tri²¹
Irtri
Foche = Oche
Foduib²²
Fuindche
Gaola
Iche
Inmend
Inomain
Itha
Laege
Láige
Loegde
Laegde
Laigde
Luigde
Luachra
Luigdech
Luigne
Ma
Maigh
Maighe
Maige Locha
Maigen
Maigne
Maradh
Mogha
Moda
Moncho
Mu Druad
'Mdruad
'Mruad
Muichet
Muichi
Muinche
Muinchi
Nechtae

p.67

Ochland
Oiche
Oche
Oirce
Oircthe
Oirchen
Oircthen
Olchind²³
Reti
Riada
Righe²⁴
Rinn
Rinne
Roeda
Roide
Raeda
Raeidhe
Raide
Raighe
Roeada
Ruaid
Ruisen
Sechlaind²⁵
Selcind
Sochlend
Sogain
Suigin
Sodhain
Soilcind
Thede = Dál Céte
Themne
Temrach
Tened
Thened
Tethba
Timine
Tine
Toilgenn
Uais
hUiblig
hUiniche
Ulad
Ulum²⁶

¶36] -rige has dative singular rigiu. Though I have no instance establishing the gender as neuter, still the ending is to be identified with the neuter noun rige ‘kingship’. Hence it would appear that groups of this order originally formed petty states each under its king. Historically, some of these groups are large enough to form several petty kingdoms, while others must have been mere village communities.

¶37] In these compounds rígion = ríge becomes²⁷ -rige. If the eponym retains a second syllable ending in a vowel, -rige suffers syncope, e.g. Nechtarge (eponymous in moccu Nechtae), Osseirge, later by metathesis or analogy, Nechtraige, Osraige. The close correspondence between the territory of Osraige (diocese of Ossory, but anciently also extending much farther westward) and the place assigned by Ptolemy to the Ousdiai makes it likely that the names also are closely associated (Osse -rge = *Osdia-rígion? Should we not expect Uisserge?). When the eponymic element ends in r preceded by a consonant, only one r appears in writing: Gabraige = *Gabrorígion (eponym Fer Dá Gabar), Bibraige = Corcu Bibuir, Odraige also Odorrige. This arises from a usage in spelling, compare gobann, Goibniu.

¶38] In Middle Irish, there is an increasing tendency to substitute -raige for -rige, and the later MSS. show a strong preference for -raide. In the following list add -rige, raige, where the hyphen appears:

Ai-?
Aib-
Airb-²⁸
Alt-
Allt-
Aman-²⁹
Arb-
Art-

p.68

Au-
Baen-
Belt-
Bend-
Benn-
Bent-
Bendt-
Bennt-
Bib-
Biurraidh?
Bidb-
Bid-
Blad-
Blath-
Blae-
Blai-
Blod-
Blodh-
Boend-
Boand-
Boind-
Bocc-
Bodb-
Bolg-
Bonand-
Bond-
Bonn-
Bon-
Boon-
Borb-
Brecc-
Bresc-
Brocenn-
Brod-
Brug-
Bru-
Brui-
Cael-
Caen-
Cae-
Cai-
Cailt-
Cairb-
Cair-
Calb-
Cal-
Call-
Carb-
Cas-
Cath-
Cat-
Catt-
Cecht-
Cel-
Cell-
Cerd-
Cer-
Ciar-
Clom-
Cloth
Cnam-
Co-³⁰
Coc-
Coil-
Coen-
Coin-
Coirp-
Coith-
Cond-
Con-
Corb-
Corbet-
Corc-
Corp-
Cort-
Cosc-
Coth-
Crec-
Creg-
Crech-
Crobert-
Crot-
Cuart-
Cuilen-
Cuin-
Cuir-
Cuiren-
Culindt-
Cup-
Cu-
Cur-
Curand-
Cuth-
Dart-
Dub-
E-?
Eigin-
Em-
Emen-
Eoch-
Erc-
Herc-
Fed-
Forb-
Frad- ³¹
Gab- ³²
Gael-
Gail-
Gaman-
Garb-
Geg-
Glas-
Glunn-
Grafimin-
Grac-
Grag-
Graic-
Gran-
Grec-
Greg-
Gregi-
Gruth-
Gub-
Gubt-
Inninn-
Ladh-
Lagh-
Lam-
Lath-
Lat-
Latt-
Luad
Lubart-
Lubut
Luch-
Lud-
Luid-
Luff-
Lug-
Luig-
Lus-
Man-
Mann-
Mas-
Masc-
Maugin-
Mughan
Med-
Meg-
Men-
Mend-
Menn-

p.69

Molt-
Musc-
Naind-
Necht-
Nechta-
Nos-
Nois-
Noth-
Nud-
Nudh-
Nuidh-
Nut-
Nuth-
Odor-
Od-
Orb-
Osse-
Ossa-
Os-
Pap-
Pab-
Part-
Rath-
Rech-
Ros-
Roth-
Roith-
Sai-
Saith-
Sciath-
Scorb-
Scot-
Sed-
Sem-
Semon-
Snob-
Sob-
Sub-
Sogh-
Sord-
Sort-
Sorth-
Suob-
Tac-³³
Taec-
Tec-
Teoc-
Teoch-
Torc-
Trat-
Trad-
Tread-
Treg-
U-

¶39] The suffix -ne, dat. sg. -niu, points to a collective ending -inion. In Middle Irish, when the preceding consonant resists palatalisation, -ne becomes -na. In the following list, doubtless, many names are included which do not denote population-groups, since the suffix has a much wider application. The instances which are known to be people-names are indicated by (k).³⁴

Mag Aibne
Aidne
Ailbine
Loch Aillinne
Loch Aindinne
Cluain Airdne
Airene
Cul Aisne
Mag Argarni
Belach mBarnini
Bechlarna
Beltine
(k) Blaitine
Blaittine
Blárna
Bogaine
Brefne
Brebne
Brestine
Loch Bricerne
Bruachairne
(k) Buaigni
Buichne
Cabcenne
Cluain Caichne
Cascene
Cúl Caissine
Mag Cargamni
Cattene
Cerne
Dún Cermna
Mag Cétni
Ath Coirthine
Coirtene
Dún Coistinne
(k) Conaille
Aes Conchinne
Mag Conchinne
(k) Conchuburne
Coningne
(k) Conmaicne
Creidne
(k) Cremthanna
Cremthinne
Ard Crimne
Crinua
Ard Cróinne
(k) Tuath Cruadhluinde
Cuairne
Cuerne
Mag Cualgerne
Áth Cuillne
(k) Cuircne
Ros Cuissine
Tráig Culcinne
Daimine
Dáimne
(k) Dáirine
Damhairne
Es Danainne
(k) Delbna
Delmne
Delna
Deoninne

p.70

Dergne
Dún Detchine
Detnae
Cúl Dreimne
Drebne
Drebine
Dún Dreimne
Mag Drithne
Duichni
Sliab Eblinne
Edne
Eilne
Eilbine
Cúl Emni
Loch Érne
Ernine
Etarbainne
Fertene
Findine
Benn Foibne
Ros Foichne
Foidne
Fuaithniu
Ard Gabreni
(k) Gailine
Gailinne
Gebtine
Gobnine
Goistine
Gratine
Greftine
Gruitini
Domnach Iarlainne
Áth Inroine
Inber Labrainne
Loch Labrainne
(k) Lathairne
Latharna
(k) Ligmuine
Locharna
(k) Luaigni
(k)Luguirne³⁵
(k) Luigni
Mag Luidni
Mairtine
Áth Cliath Mairgene
Áth Liac Margini
Cuan Manainne
Tír Marcceini
Metine
Muscraige Mitaine
Midbine
Cluain Moescnae
(k) Tuath Mochtaine
Tuath Mochthuinne
Dún Muairne
Ailech Muirinne
Nemeni
Glenn Nemthinne
Ochaine
Oichene
(k) Ochmaine
Oicne
Caill Oichni
Oinmine
Ollbine
(k) Plaitine
Raigne
Raimhne
Saidni
Saimni
(k) Saithni
Scédni
Sceinni
Segene
(k) Semaine
Semoni
Semuine
Semne
Cúl Siblinne
Cúl Sibrinne
Dún Sraibtine
Dún Sraiftine
Dún Sraiptine
Taelcoine
Taiblene
Mag Taidcni
Talcainne
Talindi
Cluain Tibrinne
(k) Tretherne
Tuath Uindsinde
Mag Uaidni
(k) Uaithni

¶40] Interchange of formulae:—

Dál Aengusa Musca = Dál Musca = Muscraige
Dál Auluim = Corcu Auloim
Dál Bardeni = Corcu Bairdni
Dál Baiscinn = Corcu Baiscinn
Dál Birnd³⁶ = Corcu Birn = Osraige
Dál Buain = Boonrige
Dál Céin = Corcu Chéin = Cianacht
Dál Céte, compare Corcu Cede
Dál Conchubuir = Conchubuirne³⁷
Dál Conluain = Corcu Condluain
Dál Cormaic = Corcu Cormaic Lagen
Dál Cuinn = Connachta
Dál Cuirb, compare Corbraige
Dál Cuirc, compare Cuircne

p.71

Dál Druithne = Corcu Druithne
Dál Duibne,, compare Corcu Duibne
Dál Echach, compare Corcu Echach
Dál Eogain = Eoganacht
Dál Fiachach = Corcu Fiachach
Dál Luigne = Corcu Luigne
Dál Maigen, compare Corcu Maigen
Dál Maigne, compare Corcu Maigne
Dál Maugnae, compare Mauginrige
Dál Me Druad = Corcu Mu Druad, Corcumruad
Dál Mo Dula, compare Corcu Dula
Dál Moga, compare Corcu Moga
Dál Riatai = Korku Reti, Corcu Riada
Dál Ulad, compare Corcu Ulad
Corcu Bibuir, compare Bibraige
Corcu Cuirn, compare Cuirenrige
Corcu Dálann = Dál Dálann
Corcu Duib = Dubrige
Corcu Loegde, also named Dáirine
Corcu Och(a)e, compare Ochaine
Corcu Luachra = Orbraige Droma Imnocht
Corcu Nechtae, compare Nechtarge, Nechtraige
Corcu Ruisen = Tuath Ruisen
Corcu Sai = Sairige
Corcu Themne = Temenrige
Saithrige, compare Saithne
Semraige, Semonrige = Semaine, Semoni, Tuath Semon

¶41] Of collective names in -acht, I have only three certain instances, all very prominent in history, Cianacht, Connachta, Eoganacht. The plurals Cianachta, Eoganachta are also frequent, especially when more than one subdivision of these groups is in question. Of the singular Connacht I have no example; but the phrase ‘teora Connachta’ shows that here, too, we have a collective noun. These instances may be added to ‘Bibracte’ cited by Thurneysen ( Altirische Grammatik, paragraph 262) in support of his view that the abstract nouns in -acht were originally collectives. Other possible examples are Ailech Esrachtae, Ard Cánachta, Cluain Cuallachta, Crích Cugennachte.

¶42] In my paper on the Moccu-formula ( Ériu, vol. 3), I brought together a number of instances to show that this formula, which was used as a kind of surname until the eighth century, had relation to the people-name, the eponym in the latter being extracted, so to speak, and its genitive preceded by moccu being used to form the surname or gens-name of the individual. I

p.72

also showed that moccu in Old Irish was represented by mucoi or maqi mucoi in the Ogham inscriptions, and that the corresponding people-name, where it could be identified, belonged to the class of collective names which I have ventured in this paper to designate as the second order. With a view to testing these deductions more fully, I have brought together all the examples of mucoi and moccu which since then I have been able to collect. The result has been to confirm the deductions of my paper in Ériu. I have found no conflicting instance. In many cases, the corresponding people-name has not yet been discovered; but since it appears fairly certain that the formula always testifies to the existence of an ancient population-group whose name must have embodied the eponym found after mucoi or moccu, I give here the whole list of examples.

¶43] If I am correct in referring moccu Elich to Éli, and moccu Echach (Echdach) to Dál Echach = Fothairt, these instances, together with moccu Baird, appear to indicate that the formula was also applicable in the case of people-names of the first order. The rarity of the instances is a matter of course, considering that but few names of the first order were preserved, and that of these few a number, like Érainn, Lagin, comprised subdivisions of the second order. It is even probable, as Corcu Sogin beside Sogin suggests, that the collective formula could be applied to the older names treated as eponyms.

¶44] Eponyms following MUCOI and its variants in Ogham inscriptions:³⁸

1. ANAdo
69. ALLDATO compare Altraige³⁹
76. BIDANI
1902 p. 5. BRECI compare Breccraige
162. CALLITTI compare Cailtrige
183. CORIBIRI compare Dál Coirpri⁴⁰
126. CUNAVALI compare Conaille⁴¹
229. CUNIA
246. DONmxI⁴²
18. DOVVINIAS Corcu Duibne⁴³

p.73

20. DOV
[...]
31. DOVINIA
32. DOVINIA
189. GLUNLEGGET
211. IVODACCA
214. LITOS
212. LUGA
247. LUGUNI compare Dál Luigni⁴⁴
1899 p. 427. LUGUNI Luigne⁴⁵
1895 p. 359. MACORA
213. MACORBO op. Dál Mocoirp.⁴⁶
223. MaCoRBo
196. MAQI EURI⁴⁷
3. MAQI MEQ [o . . .
220. MEDALO compare Dál Mo Dala.
1898 p. 397. MOITINI/ MEUTINI
208. NETA SEGAMONAS⁴⁸
225. NETA SEGAMONAS
231. NETA SEGAMONAS
237. ODARREA compare Odrige, Odorrige.⁴⁹

p.74

79. QERAI Cerrige, later Ciarraige.⁵⁰
160. QRITTI compare Crothraige
218. ROTTAIS compare Rothraige, Roithrige.⁵¹
198. SOGINI compare Sogain, Corcu Sogain, Corcu Suigin.
88. TOICAXI
89. TOICACI
91. TOICAC
149. TORIANI
1903 p. 76. TREnAluGGo
1896 p. 129. TRENAQITI
109. TUCACAC⁵²
107. UDDAMI
242. VALUVI
139. VIRAGNI
243. VIRI QORB

¶45] As applied to contemporaries, the quasi-surnames in moccu become obsolete in the eighth century. The latest instance I have found is that of Luccreth moccu Ciara, the author of a poem commencing Cú-cen-máthair maith in chland, which is found with the Eoganacht genealogy in the Books of Ballymote and Lecan and in Rawlinson B 502. From internal evidence this poem appears to have been composed early in the eighth century. In the Book of Leinster and later documents moccu is misunderstood as an equivalent of macc hui, filius nepotis, and commonly represented by mc. h., m.h., macc ua, etc. Abbreviations in the following list: MD (with date in calendar) = Martyrology of Donegal; LL, BB (with page of facsimile) = Book of Leinster, Book of Ballymote; Ad = Adamnan's Vita Columbae, Reeves, index; Onom = Hogan's Onomasticon Goedelicum; Arm = Hogan's Glossary to Book of Armagh; AU (with year of annal) = Annals of Ulster; SL = Stokes's Lives of the Saints from Book of Lismore, index.

¶46] . Eponyms following Moccu:—

LL 368 Ultan m. h. Aignich; see Eignich below
LL 368 Mo Boe m. h. Aldae⁵³
BB 212 Mo Bhi qui dicitur me. h. Alla
BB 225 Brenaind me. h. Alta⁵⁴; Altraige

p.75

Brendenus mocu Alti; Altraige
367 367 changed to 931 on hardcopy by unknown corrector Colman macc Cuansi; compare Corcu Andsae
368 Odran mc. h. Araide; Dál Araidi
BB 228 Odran me. h. Araide; Dál Araidi
Ad Comgellus mocu Aridi⁵⁵; Dál Araidi
MD Jun. 7 Mo Cholmocc mac ua Arta; Artraige
BB 225 Colum me. h. Arte; Artraige
LL 359 Nechtan m. h. in Baird⁵⁶ Longo-Bardi
MD Apl. 22 Neachtain mac ua Baird; Longo-Bardi
MD Aug. 30 Usaille mac ua Baird⁵⁷; Longo-Bardi
Ériu iv. p. 75 Sechnall macc ui Baird⁵⁸; Longo-Bardi
BB 226 Colman mc. h. Bairdine⁵⁹; Dál Bardeni
LL 367 Colman m. h. Bairddeni; Dál Bardeni
LL 356 Mo Cholmoc m. b. Beona
LL 373 Nem m. h. Birn; Dál (or Corcu) Birn⁶⁰
MD Jun.14 Nem mac ua Birn; Dál Birn (or Corcu Birn)
Onom, p. 197 Cell macu Birn; Dál Birn (or Corcu Birn)
LL 368 Setna Dromma m. h. Blai; Blairige
Onom. Druim mic ua Blae; Blairige
Ad Lugbeus mocu Blai; Blairige
Arm Miliucc maccu Booin; Boonrige, Dál Buain
BB 226 Caindech mc. h. Buachalla; Dál Buachalla
LL 367 Cainnech m. h. Buachalla; Dál Buachalla
LL 368 Oidrine m. h. Buachalla; Dál Buachalla
Onom, p. 197 Cell maccu Buadáin
MD Oct. 4 Fionocc maccu Cha; compare Cairige, Caraige
LL 356 Ecca m. h. Chae; compare Cairige, Caraige
BB 227 Mo Laisi mc. h. Caidi; compare Catrige
LL 368 Mo Lasse m. h. Cáte; compare Catrige
LL 368 Mo Beoc m. h. Cati; compare Catrige
BB 227 Mo Beoc mc. b. Chaiti; compare Catrige
BB 227 Mo Laisi mc. h. Carraigi
LL 368 Mo Lasse m. h. Caisrige
LL 367 Colman mc. h. Chais⁶¹; Dál Cais

p.76

BB 226 Column mc. h. Chais; Dál Cais
Ad Mater virorum mocu Ceiin; Cianachta
Ad Chonrii mocu Cein; Cianachta
Ad avia To Cummi mocu Cein; Cianachta
LL 368 Mo Chummae m. h. Chein; Cianachta
BB 227 Mo Chuma mc. h. Chen; Cianachta
BB 226 Comgall mc. h. Cein; Cianachta
LL 327 Comgall m. h. Chéin; Cianachta
LL 327 Findlug m. h. Chéin; Cianachta
BB 227 Fintan mc. h. Chen⁶²; Cianachta
BB 228 Mo Gobboc m. h. Chein; Cianachta
LL 368 Mo Gobboc m. h. Chein; Cianachta
Ad To Channu mocu Fir Cetea; Dál Céte
BB Lucreth macu Ciara; Ciarraige
LL 357 Lucill m. h. Chiara; Ciarraige
MD Jan. 31 Caindeach mac ui Chil; Celrige
BB 227 Fintan mc. h. Chind——
LL 290 Díl mc. hú Chrecga; Creccraige
LL 367 Colman mc. h. Coirtged⁶³
BB 226 Colman mc. h. Coirtged⁶⁴
LL 355 Cilline m. h. Colla compare Corcu Culla
LL 362 Ultan m. h. Conchobuir⁶⁵; Dál Conchobuir
AU Obitus Ultain moccu Choncobair; Dál Conchobuir
662 Ultan moccu Chonchobair quievit; Dál Conchobuir
BB 228 Ultan mc. h. Conchubair; Dál Conchobuir
LL 368 Mo Lasse m. h. Chonna; compare Dál Condad
Arm Ad insolas Maccu Chor; compare Cuirrige
LL 367 Mo Chua mc. h. Choraig
BB 227 Mo Chua mc. h. Choraig
MD Mar. 16 Abban mac ua Corbmaic⁶⁶; Dál Cormaic
BB 123 Aban maccua Cormaic; Dál Cormaic
LL 357 Abbain m. h. Chormaic; Dál Cormaic
LL 364 Abban m. h. Chormaic; Dál Cormaic
MD Dec. 27 Fiacha mac ua Chorbmaic; Dál Cormaic
AU 663 Baetan moccu Cormaicc; Dál Cormaic
AU 690 Cronan moccu Chualne; Dál Cualni

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MD Feb. 7 Mellan mac ui Cuinn; Dál Cuinn⁶⁷
MD Sept. 10 Seighin mac ui Chuinn; Dál Cuinn
MD Oct. 9 Aedhan mac ui Chuind; Dál Cuinn
LL 362 Aedan m. h. Cuind; Dál Cuinn
BB 226 Colman m. h. Cuind; Dál Cuinn
LL 367 Colman m. h. Cuind; Dál Cuinn
BB 227 Mo Chua mc. h. Chuind; Dál Cuinn
LL 367 Findlug m. h. Chuind; Dál Cuinn
FM Ultan mac hui Cunga
AU 664 Ultan mac Caunga
Onom moccu Daimene; compare Daimine
Ad Cainnechus mocu Dalon⁶⁸; Corcu Dalann
BB 226 Caindech me. h. Dalann; Corcu Dalann
BB 227 Mo Laisi me. h. Dartada; compare Dartraige
LL 368 Mo Lasse m. h. Dartada; compare Dartraige
MD May 21 Inis mac ua Dartadha; compare Dartraige
AU 653 Colman epscop moccu Delduib⁶⁹
LL 367 Colman m. h. Dulduil⁷⁰
Ad Ercus⁷¹ mocu Druidi
LL 362 Neman m. h. Duib; Dubrige, Corcu Duibne
MD Sep. 13 Naomhan mac ua Duibh; Corcu Duibne
MD Apl. 8 Aedhan mac ua Dhuibhne; Corcu Duibne
LL 358 Aedan m. h. Duibni; Corcu Duibne
MD Feb. 20 Colgu mac ua Duineachda; Corcu Duibne
AU 602 Quies Finntain filii nepotis Echdach⁷²; compare Dál Echach
Onom 539 Fintan maccu Echtach; compare Dál Echach
Onom 539 Fintan maccu Echtach; compare Dál Echach
Onom 539 (Fintan) moccu Edagur; compare Dál Echach
BB 228 Ultan mc. h. Eignich; compare Eiginrige
MD Apl. 9 Aedhach⁷³ mac ua Elich; compare Éli
LL 358 Aedach in. h. Elich; compare Éli
LL 362 Finnio m. h. Fiatach; Dál Fiatach
AU 578 Quies Vinniani episcopi me. nepotis Fiatach; Dál Fiatach

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BB 226 Findbarr mc. h. Fiatach; Dál Fiatach
LL 367 Findbarr mc. h. Fiatach; Dál Fiatach
MD Jan. 11 Suibne maccu Ir Tri; Corcu Fir Tri
BB 226 Colman m. h. Forgtech⁷⁴
LL 367 Colmanm. h. Fortgech ⁷⁵
LL 364 Mo Cholmoc m. h. Gualae no h. Gáili⁷⁶
Lecan 455 Eterscel Mor macu Iair⁷⁷; Érainn
BB 227 Mo Laisi me. h. Imdae; Dál Imde
LL 368 Mo Lasse m. h. Imda; Dál Imde
AU 638 Do Laissi maccu Imde; Dál Imde
BB 227 Mo Chua mc. h. Lapae
LL 367 Mo Chua m. h. Loppae
LL 368 Mo Gobboc mc. h. Laime; compare Lámraige
BB 227 Mo Gobboc in. h. Laime; compare Lámraige
AU 637 Cronan moccu Loegdae; Corcu Loegde
LL 367 Mo Chua in. h. Laigde; Corcu Loegde
BB 227 Mo Chua me. h. Laidgi; Corcu Loegde
BB 228 Mo Rioc me. h. Laigdi; Corcu Loegde
LL 368 Mo-Rióc m. h. Laigde; Corcu Loegde
? Ad Columbauus mocu Loigse⁷⁸; Lóigis
MD May 16 Colman mac ua Laoighse; Lóigis
LL 360 Colman m. h. Laigsi; Lóigis
LL 356 Oenu m. h. Laigsi⁷⁹; Lóigis
LL Oenu in. h. Laigsi; Lóigis

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SL 275 Enna maccu Laigsi; Lóigis
LL 368 Mo Shinu me. h. Lugair; Luguirne
BB 228 Mo Shinu me. h. Lugair; Luguirne
BB 224 Mo Caemo me. h. Lugair; Luguirne
Arm Dubthoch mc. h. Lugir; Luguirne
AU 789 Comotatio reliquiarum Mo Chua moccu Lugedon
Ériu 3, 138 Moccu Luigdech; compare Corcu Luigdech
Arm Muirchu maccu Machtheni; compare Tuath Mochtaine⁸⁰
MD Jun. 8 Murchu mac ua Maichtene; compare Tuath Mochtaine
MD Jun. 8 Meadhran mac ua Maichtene; compare Tuath Mochtaine
BB 227 Loman mc. h. Maigni; compare Dál Maigin, Maigni
LL 367 Lonan m. h. Maigen; compare Dál Maigin, Maigni
LL 367 Mo Chua m. h. Manche
BB 227 Mo Chua mc. h. Manchi
BB 226 Fintan me. h. Milbae
LL 367 Fintan m. h. Milbai
Ad Lugbeus mocu Min; compare Menraige
Ad Lugneus mocu Min; compare Menraige
BB 228 Mo Shinu mc. h. Muind; compare Menraige
LL 368 Mo Sinu mc. h. Mind; compare Menraige
AU cxxxiii Mosinu Maccumin; compare Menraige
SL 335 Lugna maccu Moga Laim
Ad Laisranus mocu Moie
BB 227 Mo Laisi mc. h. Naithre
LL 368 Mo Lasse m. h. Naratha
LL 356 Mo Lassi m. h. Nechti; Nechtarge, Corcu Nechtae
LL 356 Mo Lasse m. h. Nechtai; Nechtarge, Corcu Nechtae
BB 227 Mo Laisi mc. h. Neachta; Nechtarge, Corcu Nechtae
MD Jan. 19 Mo Laissi maccua Nechte; Nechtarge, Corcu Nechtae
Onom 540 Moccu Necthin
Ériu 3, 138 Moccu Nemongin
MD Jun. 9 Cruimther mac ua Nesse
Ad Oisseneus mocu Neth Corb; Dál Niath Cor
AU cxxxiii. Mo Cuaroc maccu Neth Semon⁸¹; Semonrige, Semaine
AU 584 Abb Cluana moccu Nois; compare Noisrige
LL 368 Mo Lóce m. h. Noise; compare Noisrige
BB 228 Mo Locae mc. h. Noise; compare Noisrige

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BB 223 Colman mc. h. Nuadchon
AU 608 Quies Lugdach moccu Ochae⁸²; Corcu Oche
AU 677 Daircill moccu Retai; Dál Riatai
Ad Mailodranus mocu Rin⁸³; compare Corcu Rinn
Ad Erneneus mocu Fir Roide; Corcu Roide
LL 365 Tua m. h. Roida; Corcu Roide
LL 368 Tua m. h. Roda; Corcu Roide
LL 368 Mo Gobboc mc. h. Ruain
BB 228 Mo Gobboc mc. h. Ruain
Ad. Trenanus mocu Runtir; Dál Runtir
Ad. Colmanus mocu Sailni⁸⁴ Dál Sailni
Ad. Nemaidon (gen.) mocu Sogin; Sogin, Corcu Sogin
AU 548 Finnio moccu Telduib⁸⁵
LL 367 Finnian m. h. Thelluib
BB 226 Finna mc. h. Tellduib
SL 335 Fidnian maccu Tellaig
MD Feb. 8 Colman mac ui Thealduibh
MD Dec. 12 Colman mac ui Thelduibh
BB 226 Colman mc. h. Tuilduib
Ad Luguid mocu Themne; Temenrige
AU 663 Comgan macu Teimne; Temenrige
MD Feb. 27 Commán macua Theimhne; Temenrige
MD Apl. 8 Luighthighern macua Trato⁸⁶; Tratraige
LL 359 Luchthigern maccu Tratho; Tratraige

¶47] The collective names do not always appear to contain a personal or ancestral eponym. In Corcu Fásaig, Corcu Luachra, Corcu Maige Locha, Corcu Temrach, Corcu Tethba, the determining word is a place-name, so that these names are referable to a usage in which corcu is still a common noun in general use.

¶48] The eponyms which are found with moccu prove that the eponyms supplied by the genealogists cannot always be accepted as representing an

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accurate tradition. Thus the genealogists tell us that the Ciarraige are the descendants of Ciar, son of Fergus MacRoig, but the Ogham form Mucoi Qerai (MS. Moccu Ciara) shows that the true eponym should have been Ciara in Middle Irish. The Artraige are said to descend from a male ancestor Art, while the moccu formula has genitive Arta, Arte. That Corc Duibfind, as ancestor of Corcu Duibne, is a mere fiction of the genealogists would be sufficiently obvious if we had not the Ogham examples of Mucoi Dovinias and the MS. moccu Duibne. Láma, son of Conchobor macc Nessa, is the genealogical ancestor of the Lámraige, but the lists of saints have Mo Gobbóc moccu Laime. Laigsech Cennmór is the genealogical head of the Lóigse; Adamnanus has mocu Loigse. Neachtain [...] a quo Neachtraide, Lecan 453; Nemangein mac Neachtain do Uaithnib diata Neachtraidi, ib.; but moccu Nechti, Nechtai, Nechte, Neachta, and Corcu Nechtae. Fergus Oiche qui et Fogai, BB 169 b, Fergus Fogo, BB 218 c, Focha, ib. is ancestor of Corcu Oche and of S. Mo Lua = Luguid moccu Ochae, AU 608. If the genealogists have not lost the genuine tradition, they must have deliberately substituted masculine for feminine eponyms.

¶49] Adamnanus, in mocu Fir Cetea, mocu Fir Roide, introduces ‘fer’ (‘husband of’) before a feminine eponym. Cp. Conall mac Fhir Cheiti meic Deda meic Sin a quo Dal Ceiti la Mumain, Lecan 455.

¶50] Names in -rige appear sometimes to have the name of an animal for eponym. It is curious if Bibraige (compare Corcu Bibuir) contains the name of the beaver (compare Bibracte), for Dr. Scharff tells me that so far no remains of the beaver are known to have been found in Ireland, though it is known to have existed in Britain. Other instances are Bocc-, Catt-, Con-. Dart- (with moccu Dartada), Gabr-, Gaman-, Luch-, Molt-, Torc-. We cannot assert that the animal, even personified, was regarded as the ancestor, for the adoption of animal names (e.g. Conall Cú, Ailill Molt) was not rare. Moreover, as instances like Ciarraige show, the eponym may really have been a fuller form of the element which is retained in the people-name.

¶51] Some of the collective names appear to be based on the occupations of the people. Thus the Semonrige, Tuath Semon, or Semmuine, i.e. people of rivets, belonged to the coppermining district of the Dési, and the distinctive element in their name was not thought capable of forming an eponym; hence moccu Neth Semon = of the race of the Champion of the Rivets. In Bérre, Béarra, another mining district, were the Cerdraige. With this class of names we may perhaps connect Tuatha Taiden or Fir Taiden, people of mantles, and Fir Bolg, people of leathern bags. That Fir Bolg, commonly used as a name for the older subjugated race or races, was an extension of the genuine name of an historical people may be judged from the instances of Bolgthuath

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and Bolgraige in Onomasticon Goedelicum⁸⁷ All these peoples with what seem to be ccupation-names belonged to the aithechtuatha; and their vassal-rents may have been paid in the products of the industries indicated by their names. Cp. also Corbraige, Corbetrige, Sciathraige, Tuath Chathbarr.