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?
13. 28. Morrison.
28. Morrison. Irish: A County Donegal sept who were hereditary tenants of the church lands of Clonmany adopted this English name which meant son of Maurice. Scots Gaelic: Claiming descent from a Norse family shipwrecked on the Island of Lewis Clan Morrison, from their seat at Habost on the northern tip of the Isle of Lewis, became sub-lords to the Mac Leods. (Brian Mitchell). Morrison was ranked 28th in 1989 with 58 mentions. Pictured is Áine Morrison, who was the Derry Rose at the 2022 Rose of Tralee. Photo: George Sweeney
14. 27. Boyle.
27. Boyle. Irish: A County Donegal sept, with their heartland at Cloghaneely, who alongside the O'Dohertys and the O'Donnells controlled northwest Donegal in medieval times. English and Scottish: Derived from Beauville in France, a family of this name accompanied William the Conqueror to England in 1066. A branch also settled in Scotland, becoming well established in Ayrshire. The Boyles of Limavady who settled there in 1660 are of this stock. (Brian Mitchell). Boyle ranked 27th in 1989 with 58 mentions. Pictured is Maolíosa Boyle, former director of the Void Gallery. Photo: Archive
15. 26. McDermott.
26. McDermott. Irish: This County Roscommon sept was a branch of the O'Connors, Kings of Connaught, before the Norman invasions of the 12th century. A few may be of Scottish origin as in Perthshire there was a Clan Campbell sept of this name. (Brian Mitchell). McDermott was 26th on the list with 59 mentions. Pictured is local chef Brian McDermott with colleague Nevin Maguire. Photo: George Sweeney
16. 25. Wilson.
25. Wilson. English and Scottish: Derived from the old German personal name William which was introduced by Britain by the Normans. It is estimated that 80 per cent of Ulster Wilsons are of Scottish descent; Wilson was a common name throughout the Lowlands of Scotland. Furthermore the Wilsons were septs of the Clan Gunn in Caithness and Sutherland and of Clan Innes in Banffshire (Brian Mitchell). Wilson ranks 25th on the list with 60 mentions. Pictured is Chris Wilson, the artist behind Derry's Factory Girls sculpture. Photo: Archive