Gaelic learned family

Conway

Ó Connmhaigh

Also: O'Conway, Conboy, Conaboy

“descendant of Connmhach”

🏔 Clare · An Clár 🏔 Sligo · Sligeach 🏔 Galway · Gaillimh Source: Woulfe, Irish Names and Surnames (1923) ↗ Also: Woulfe, Irish Names and Surnames (1923) ↗

The sept's historic heartland, highlighted. People moved — a name can be found far from home.

The story

A Dalcassian family who were formerly ollaves of music in Thomond, Woulfe writes. At the end of the 16th century the name was common across Munster and south Leinster, and was also found in Roscommon and Cavan. It is now generally written Conway. A different name, Ó Conbhuidhe (‘yellow hound’, Conboy), belonged to a Uí Fiachrach family at Dunneill in Tireragh, Co. Sligo, and to a Uí Maine family in Galway, and was also sometimes made Conway.

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What the name is made of

Ó Connmhaigh
Ó — descendant of (originally grandson of)
Connmhaigh — the ancestor, trade or place the name is built on

Find this form in the Irish-to-English index → · What Ó and Mac actually mean

Is Conway an Irish name?

Conway is a Gaelic name: it was formed in Irish, from an Irish ancestor, before English was spoken here.

The five answers, and why it is rarely yes or no →

Where the Conway country is

County Clare County Sligo County Galway Galway Ennis Sligo Tuam Ballinasloe Loughrea Athenry Gort 13 castles in Clare 4 castles in Sligo 37 castles in Galway

Neighbours — other names from the same counties

Cooney · Galway, Clare Cunningham · Sligo, Galway Deegan · Galway, Clare Diskin · Sligo, Galway Drennan · Galway, Clare Feeney · Sligo, Galway Finn · Sligo, Galway Hynes · Galway, Clare Keane · Galway, Clare Killeen · Clare, Galway Lydon · Galway, Clare Lynch · Galway, Clare McDonagh · Sligo, Galway Mooney · Sligo, Galway

Quick answers

Is Conway an Irish name?

Conway is a Gaelic name: it was formed in Irish, from an Irish ancestor, before English was spoken here. In Irish the name is Ó Connmhaigh.

What does the surname Conway mean?

Conway (Irish: Ó Connmhaigh) means “descendant of Connmhach”. Origin: Gaelic learned family.

Where in Ireland is the surname Conway from?

The historic homeland of the Conway name is Clare, Sligo, Galway. People moved, so the name can be found far beyond it.

What is the Irish for Conway?

Ó Connmhaigh. Related spellings: O'Conway, Conboy, Conaboy.

Looking for the Conway family crest? Read this first — arms belong to people, not surnames, and the honest version is more interesting. Tracing Conway ancestors? The step-by-step guide.

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