The Book of Irish Names: First, Family and Place Names

Explains the origin, history, and meaning of Irish names, and shows Irish coats of arms

This ready-reference tool is a short and inexpensive guide to the history and meaning of first, family, and place names and very similar to Coghlan's Irish First Names (Johnston & Bacon, 1979). It also contains a brief chronology of Irish history, Irish root words, and a pronunciation guide. Similar and more rigorous books, such as Edward MacLysaght's classic The Surnames of Ireland (LJ 8/70) and Irish Families (1951; Irish Academic Pr., 1985. rev. ed.) and other recent titles provide color heraldic illustrations, describe the coats of arms, and include far more names. The lack of descriptions for coats of arms limits this book's usefulness. However, for home and small libraries where an all-in-one synthesis of Irish names will be valuable, this is an affordable beginning reference work.
- Judith P. Reid, Library of Congress
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.