Thankfully local genealogist and historian Brian Mitchell has the answer having sorted the Dohertys from the McLaughlins, and the Gallaghers from the Kellys, in his book ‘The Top 300 Surnames of Derry-Londonderry’, published by Clearfield in Baltimore in the United States.
The book is based on the 1989 Foyle Community Directory, which lists 1,860 unique surnames in Derry City.
Brian looked at the number of entries and ranked the surnames in order of mentions. Where is yours in the list?
9. 32. McGowan.
32. McGowan. Irish: Meaning son of the smith, the most powerful sept of this name originated in County Cavan. Other septs of the name were also based at Inishmacsaint, County Donegal and at Clogher, County Tyrone. Scots Gaelic: As the maker of arms the smith was an important hereditary position in each clan. As a consequence the surname Smith was associated with most clans. This surname, more than any other, has suffered at the hands of anglicisation. Many Smiths in Ulster today were originally McGowan. (Brian Mitchell). McGowan was ranked 32nd in 1989 with 53 mentions. Pictured is George McGowan from the Old Library Trust. Photo: Archive
10. 31. Cassidy.
31. Cassidy. Irish: A County Fermanagh sept who were hereditary physicians to the Maguires. The stronghold of the chief of the Cassidys was at Ballycassidy, in he parish of Trory, just to the north of the town of Enniskillen. (Brian Mitchell). Cassidy ranked 31st in 1989 with 53 mentions. Pictured is Derry musician and longstanding member of the Brodsky Quartet Paul Cassidy. Photo: Archive
11. 30. O'Doherty.
30. O'Doherty. Irish: This County Donegal sept, which originated in Raphoe but settled in Inishowen from the 14th century, can trace their lineage to Conal Gulbann, son of the 5th century High King of Ireland, Niall of the Nine Hostages. They ruled Inishowen until the arrival of the English army at Derry in 1600. An O'Doherty-led rebellion, which included the ransacking of Derry in 1608, helped pave the way for the Plantation of Ulster. This name is also anglicised as Doherty. (Brian Mitchell). Ranked 30th in 1989 with 54 mentions. Pictured is Rose O'Doherty, founder of the Derry Feis. Photo: none
12. 29. O'Kane.
29. O'Kane. Irish: The sept of O'Kane or O'Cahan can trace their lineage to Eoghan, son of the 5th century High King of Ireland, Niall of the Nine Hostages. Originating in the Laggan district of Count Donegal, the O'Kanes, who were the leading sept of Clan Connor, settled in the Dungiven area, County Derry, from the 10th century. By the 12th century they had established themselves in County Derry from the Foyle to the Bann rivers and they had gained the privilege of inaugurating the chiefs of the O'Neills. (Brian Mitchell). O'Kane ranked 29th in 1989 with 55 mentions. Pictured is Patsy O'Kane, former proprietor of the Beechhill Hotel. Photo: Archive