The Septs of Coskery/Coskrey

O'COSGRAVE, COSGROVE NAME ON MAP: O'COSCRAIGH MODERN COUNTY: Wicklow MEANING: `descendant of Coscrach'. (The name, meaning `victorious, triumphant', derived from coscu `victory'.) There were two unrelated less important septs in Galway and Ulster.

 There are a number of Cosgrave septs throughout Ireland with one in southeast Leinster/Wicklow

 The sept of Ó Coscraigh was also in the northern part of the county, but around what is now Bray, before being dispersed by the migrating O'Byrnes and O'Tooles. There were only ten Cosgrave/Cosgrove householders in the county in Griffith's ‘Valuation’, along with three of Cosker, which is a variant.

                         The Scottish Connection

The stated early ancestor of the Shannons was Coscrach, a brother of Cineadh (Kennedy of Thomond). Cosrach was the son of Donchadh Cuan and was the grandfather of Seanchan who started the sept of O' Seanchain. It is this branch that was dispossessed of their property in the 1300's by the McNamara's.

Clan Buchanan
Basken, Baskin, Bede, Bonnieville, Boyne, Buck, Buckie, Bucky, Cawsell, Chapp, Chrystal, Clapperton, Coscrach, Costie, Costy, Cranach, Crannach, Crystall, Crystal, Crudon, Cruden, Cruddon, Colman, Donleavy, Donlevy, Dove, Dow, Dowe, Fasken, Faskin, Fitchie, Fitchy, Gammerie, Gammery, Gibb, Gibson, Gilbertson, Hardin, Hardman, Hardnan, Harper, Harperson, Kermack, Leisk, Lennie, Lenny, Macaldonich, Macandeoir, MacAslan, MacAuselan, MacAuslan,MacAusland, MacAuslane, MacCalman, MacCalmont, MacCalmont, MacCammond, MacChruiter, MacColman, MacCormack, MacCrystal, MacDonleavy, MacGibbon, Macgreusich, Macinally, Macindeor, Macindoe,Mackinlay, Mackinley, MacMaster, MacMaurice, MacMurchie, MacMurchy, Macnuyer, MacWattie, MacWhirter, Masterson, Meason, Merson, Mondie, Mondy, Mundie, Mundy, Murchie, Murchieson, Nible, Niblo, Ogston, Ogstone, Ogstoun, Prince, Rattliff, Ratcliff, Ratliff, Rattcliff, Risk, Runcie, Runcy, Ruskin, Shakle, Spittal, Spittel, Tarves, Tarvis, Teunion, Teunon, Tewnion,TinnonTucks, Wadsworth,Wadsworther, Watson,Watt, West, Whammond, Willgook, Whyman,Whymon, Yull, Yuille, Yule.

The variety of surnames within a Scottish clan do not represent separate and definable sub-clans but instead reflect the vagaries of transition of the Gaels into the English naming system as well as marriages, migrations and occupations.  The main family itself may have developed a variety of

surnames.   The preferred modern usage is to avoid the use of the term "sept" and to simply describe these names as what they are - surnames of the family and of allied or dependent families.  It is preferable to speak of "The names and families of Clan X" rather to call a name "a sept of Clan X".

"Sept" is actually a term borrowed from Irish culture in the nineteenth century to explain the use of a variety of surnames by members of a single clan.  Where Scots would say "MacGregor and his clan" and Irish historian might say "O'Neill and his sept". 

Early times: In ancient Ireland the population was much smaller than today and the mass movement of people was uncommon. It was usual therefore for a person to be known only by one name: Niall, Eoin, Art, etc. Once there was no one else in the locality with the same name then his was not a problem.

The Gaelic Clann system was well established and this gave people a common identity with their people of the tribe and with the commonly shared area. This single name system began to break down during the eleventh century as the population was growing and there was a need for a further means of identification. The solution was to adopt a prefix such as Mac (Mc is an abreviation) or Ó. Mac means 'son of' whilst Ó means 'grandson of'. Mac surnames are generally of a much later date than Ó. The vast majority of Gaelic Irish surnames were created during the eleventh and twelfth centuries.

               It should be noted that the Scottish Gaels were actually descendants of Gaelic emigrants to Scotland. The word 'Scotus' is Latin for 'Irishman'. Scottish settlers who moved to Ireland (and especially Ulster) may already have been of Gaelic Irish descent.

Septs: The Clans eventually broke up into a number of distinct septs or groups. These groups were headed by an original member of the clan and dominated a particular part of the countryside. It was not uncommon for septs from the same clan to be found in completely different parts of the country (O'Connor for example) so it is important when researching your roots to try to find out the original part of the country that your ancestors came from as this may be a completely different area from that where the 'major' sept was domicile.

The sept system was an integral part of Gaelic society and survived and was even propagated by the Norman invaders. The system did not survive the English invasion and colonization of the seventeenth century however, and it became a disadvantage to have a Gaelic sounding name.

               Anglicization: The Penal laws that were enforced by the colonists attempted to completely subjugate the Gaelic way of life. It is about this time then, that many Gaelic names changed to their Anglo equivalent or translation. This can cause confusion as many of the names were misinterpreted or misspelled. The name McEaneny for example has a number of variants including McAneny and Bird (the Irish word for bird is éan). Mac an Thomáis was converted to Holmes, Mac Giolla Íosa to MacAleese, etc. The conversion of names beginning with Mac and Mc was even more difficult because the removal of the M sound from the name often completely changed the sound of the name.

               The revival of Gaelic consciousness in the later eighteen hundreds saw many Irish families reassume the Mac, Mc, Ó or other Irish form of their names although this was reduced in a number of cases depending on the sound of the name (Kelly is still much more prevalent than O'Kelly, Murphy more prevalent than O'Murphy, etc.)

               Surnames today: There are many different origins for Irish names today but the vast majority can be broken down into either of three categories: Gaelic Irish, Cambro-Norman, and finally Anglo-Irish.

                              The Septs of Clan Coskrey

O'COSGRAVE, COSGROVE,  O'COSCRAIGH, Modern County Wicklow MEANING: `descendant of Coscrach'. (The name, meaning `victorious, triumphant', derived from coscu `victory'.)

O’Cosgraidh (O’Coskry or O’Cosgrave) is given as an early chief of Benntraige, a former name of the county wexford barony, Bantry. There were three septs of Clans with the name Cosraigh..

Licgaid Cosaire, a quo Coscraige lasna D`eisse, legendary descendents of D`aire [Doimtig] Sirchr`echtach,

Southwest County Cork

Enna Aigneach: the legitimate son of Aongus; was the 84th Monarch; was of a very bountiful disposition, and exceedingly munificent in his donations. This King lost his life by the hands of Criomthan Cosgrach, B.C. 292

 Assaman Eamhna: his son; was excluded from the Throne by his father's murderer.

Crimthann Coscrach, 85th Monarch of Ireland (-288 BC)

9. i. CRIMTHANN COSCRACH9 O'CONNOR-FALEY-NO.8, b. Ireland; d. Deceased, 288BC in Ireland.

Crimthann Coscrach, son of Felim Fortuin, was the 85th Monarch of Ireland from 292 BC to 288 BC. Ascended the throne by

     killing the bountiful and munificent King Enna Aigneach. (Irish Pedigrees by John O'Hart, Published in 1892 by James Duffy &

     Co. Ltd. Dublin.)

 More about CRIMTHANN COSCRACH O'CONNOR-FALEY-NO.8:

 Occupation 1: King of Ireland 292BC to 288BC

 Religion: Pagan

Title: King of Ireland

Child of CRIMTHANN COSCRACH O'CONNOR-FALEY-NO. 8 is:

Quotes from the Annals of the Four Masters containing the name of Beageglach (Beaglaoich).

M4357.1 An céd-bhliadhain do dá mac Conghail Cosccaraigh .i. Duach Teamhrach, mic Muiredhaigh Bolgraigh .i. Eochaidh Fiadhmuine & Conaing Beageglach 'na rioghaibh os Erinn, Descart Ereann la h-Eochaidh, a tuaiscert la Conaing.

 The first year of the two sons of Congal Cosgarach son of Duach Teamrach, son of Muireadhach Bolgrach, namely, Eochaidh Fiadhmuine and Conaing Begeaglach, over Ireland; the south of Ireland belonging to Eochaidh, and the north to Conaing.

DOWN MODERN IRISH NAME: An Dún TYPE: County MEANING: `fort'. The modern county took its name from the Dál Fiatach capital.

526a.d. Cairell Coscrach m. Muuiredach Muindering (Dal Fiatach) Airghiahalla

Uster series

Muirdaigh son of Mael Patrick son of Muirdaigh son of Airmedaigh
son of Coscraigh son of Mael Tuile son of Airmedaigh son of Codnaigh
son of Fianghusa son of Lengaire son of Ithigh son son of Marcain son of
Garbain son of Colmain son of Moain son of Muirdaigh son of Owen son of
Neill [of the Nine Hostages].

Crimthann Coscrach: his son; the 85th Monarch for 7 years. He was distinguished by that name because he behaved with such bravery at the head of his army, that he was victorious in every battle he fought; "Cosgrach" signifies "slaughter" and "bloodshed" He was slain by Rogerus, the son of Sithrig.

738a.d. Coscraich m. Noindeniagh regis Gaileng (Meath ?)

Western County Cavan and Nothern County Meath.

794a.d. Far Coscraich, son of Ceithearnach,

Fir Tethba, Maine

For 808, A battle between the men of Umhall and the foreigners, in which the men of Umhall were slaughtered, and Cosgrach, son of Flannabhrat, and Dunadhach, lord of Umhall, were slain.

846a.d. Connnhach M`or m. Coscraich

Rex nepotum Briuin

(Cathal m. Ailello rex Nepotum Maine, Ferrdomnach sapiens & scriba optimus Airdd Machae, Connmhach Mór m. Coscraigh rex Nepotum Briuin, dormierunt.)

828a.d. Lorcan mac Coscraich, ri  Oa Niallan,

Ui Niall`ain (Clan Cernaich) The Barony of O neilland in modern county Arnnagh

O'Lorcain of Oriel were important in early times and are still numerous in Co. Armagh.

The head of this family was lord of Farney in Monaghan and lord of Ui Niallain in Armagh.

The eponym was Lorcan, son of Coscrach, lord of Ui Niallain, slain by Donagan, son of Fogarty, lord of Farney in 879. Cenfoyle macLorcan was Dean of Clogher and successor to the Abbot of Armagh in 931. The first of the name was Ruaidri Ua Lorcain lord of Ui Niallain, slain at Callan river, Armagh in 1037. MacGilladhide O'Lorcain lord of Farney and Seneschal of Armagh died with his son Cumidhe O'Lorcain in 1079. Flann O'Lorcan noble priest of Louth died 1081.

993a.d. Ruaidhri mac Coscraigh ri Desereirt Connacht,

Ui Fiachrach Aide-or “Deiscirt Connacht” of southern Galway.

U1006.1 Annals of Ulster

    Airmedach son of Coscrach, bishop and scribe of Ard Macha, rested in Christ; and Finnguine, abbot of RosCré, dies.

Dunkellin

- The (O'hEdihin) O'Heyne, along with the O'Clery and the O'Shaughnessy held the territory of the Ui Fiachra Aidne here and in the barony of Kiltartan. The O'Clerys were cited as chiefs of the Ui Fiachra Finn up to the 13th century. O'Finn is cited as eranaghs of Kilcogan. The O'Cosgroves (O Coscraigh), of the Ui Maine, are noted in territory east of Galway Bay. Following the coming of the Normans, the Blake (Caddell) name was prominent here.

U1343.4 the annals of Ulster

Four sons of Cathal, son of Mag Raghnaill the Blind[-eye], were taken prisoners on Loch-in-sguir by Concobur Mag Raghnaill. And Tomaltach Mag Raghnaill took them with him to Caisel-Coscraigh and they were killed there, the saddest tale that was done in that time.

County Galway

Clare

- Mac Aedha (MacHugh), of the same stock as the O'Flahertys, is cited chief of Clan Coscraigh on the East Side of Lough Corrib. The O'Flahertys were chiefs of Clan Murcadha. In the 16th century, Richard de Burgo drove the O'Flaherties from their lands. The Norman family of Hackett had a castle in this barony.

Genealogy of O Ceallaigh [O'Kelly] from The Keating Genealogies

Fithcheallach. Of the progeny of Coscrach son of Fithcheallach are Clann Aodhagain

1681. Aedh, Giolla na naomh, Domhnall, Donnchadh: clann Giolla NA naomh m Conchobair m Giolla NA naomh m Duinn slebhe m Giolla NA ndom m Soeirbrethaigh m Muircertaicch m Floind m Aedhagain (o raiter an sloinned) m Goistine m Flaithemhain m anluain m Flaithgile m coscraigh m Fithcheallaigh m Dluthaigh m Dicolla m Eogain Finn m corpmaic m Cairpre cruim m Feradhaigh m Luighdech m Dallain m Bresail m Maine mhoir.

There is another pedigree in O'Clery for Mheg Eochacan. I'm sure this is the MacGeoghegan family of Meath, who claim to be descended from Fiacha, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, Irish Kings #126. "Niall's first wife was Inné, mother of his son Fiacha, from who the Geoghegans are descended." The MacGeoghegan Family Society Family History Website. This is consistent with the genealogy below. See also The Clan MacGeoghegan and History of the Gahagan Name.

Genelach Mheg Eochacan

890. Cu coiccriche m Neill m Diermada m Donnchadha m Muircertaigh m Congalaigh m Muirchertaigh m Con calma m Con coiccriche m Congalaigh m Muircertaigh m Mail t-sechlainn m Cosccraigh m Anluain m Congalach m Donnchada m Murchada m Amhlaibh m Ruaidri m Inneirghe m Eochagan (a quo clann Eochagan) m Coscraigh m Amhalgaidh oirdnide m Tuathail an tuaiscirt re raiter Daimin m Fiacha m Neill.

                              The Arthur Legend Connection

The fact that the name Arthur suddenly comes into popularity around the time that Arthur was suppose to have lived would indicate that Arthur was a real person and that he gave his name fame, for before his time the name was uncommon and very rare. In the years following Arthur’s death, people began naming their sons “Arthur”. For example, the British Duke Pabo Post, the ruler of the Pennine Mountains in England, gave the name Arthur to one of his sons; so did the Welsh king Congar of Demetia; as well as the Scottish King Aedan of Dalriada; and the Irish prince Coscrach of Leinster; and also the Gallic ruler Petreius Cocta, a Roman/Byzantine officer in France; each gave the name Arthur to one of their sons. If not because they were inspired by a real person whose name was Arthur, then why?

Foot cross, Co. Clare On an island in Lough Derg, with its church built by Brian Boru, is this 10th c. slab with enigmatic footprints and inscription: Gaelic "coscrach" and "laignech"="slaughter and weakness" may be interpreted as "victory for the meek" Is it that we are all immortal until our feet touch the ground?

    Suggested arms for the Clan

                     Buchanan Society International                

ARMS FOR COSKERY/COSKREY