Origins of the Family Name - Ó.Ficheallaigh According to various Genealogists

1. Edward McLysaght- The Surnames of Ireland

(O) Fihilly , Ó.Fithcheallaigh (chess player) . A sept of the Corcha Laoidhe,often abbreviated to Feeley and sometimes anglicised Field. In modern times the form Feeley is mainly found in north Connacht, where it is a Silmurry sept.

2. Rev Patrick Woulfe- Irish Names and Surnames

Also gives the origin as from fichel an ancient chess type board game

3. O'Hart. - Irish Pedigrees/ Heremon Genealogies

Fihilly (Arms; Argent, an oak tree eradicated ppr)

Muredach MaolLeathan, the 16^th Christian King of Connacht, who is number 97 on the

** O'Connor" (Connacht) pedigree, was the ancestor of Ó.Ficheallaigh; anglicised Fihilly,Feely,

Field,Fielding, O'Feeley'

99. Ficheallach ("fiacail"; Irish, a tooth; Hebrew "acal" he eats): his son ;a quo O.Ficheallaigh meaning "the descendants of the man who had large teeth."

.** The O'Connor clan were very prominent in the history of the province of Connacht and indeed throughout Ireland for many centuries.Two of the High Kings of Ireland before the Norman Invasion were Turlough.o'Connor (d1136) and Rory. O.'Connor (d1161).The seat of the Connacht kings was at Rathcroughan Co Roscommon.

In Connacht our family crest is identical to that of the O'Connor (Don) branch ,but without the motto.

4. Donnachadh.Ó.Corrán & Fidelma Maguire.-Irish Names

Fíchel: Fítheal .(fi-hal)- Meaning, perhaps 'a sprite goblin'. Fíthel was a legendary judge amongst the ancient Irish who could give no false judgement. Fithel was also the name of a brother of Fionn mac Cumhaill. Fithel remained in use among the learned family of O Mulchonry or Conry chroniclers to the Kings of Connacht, by whom it was anglicised Florence and Florry.

July 1999 rev 04