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Boyle Abbey, County Roscommon
Photograph: Andreas F. Borchert · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Province of Connacht

County Roscommon

Ros Comáin

Known as The Rossies. No nickname appears in the standard reference. The Rossies is what people say, and the Sheep Stealers is what their neighbours say. The origin is not settled.

Did you know? At Rathcroghan, seat of Queen Medb, a cave called Oweynagat was known to medieval scribes as 'the gate of hell' — one claimed origin of the Samhain traditions behind Halloween.
Carlow Cavan Cork Donegal Dublin Clare Galway Kerry Kildare Kilkenny Laois Leitrim Limerick Longford Louth Mayo Meath Monaghan Offaly Roscommon Sligo Tipperary Waterford Westmeath Wexford Wicklow Antrim Armagh Down Fermanagh Londonderry Tyrone

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Clans & surnames of Roscommon
Brennan Ó Braonáin Gaelic sept · “descendant of Braonán, 'little drop / sorrow'” Carty Ó Cárthaigh Gaelic sept · “descendant of Cárthach, 'loving'” Conlan Ó Conalláin / Ó Caoindealbháin Gaelic sept · “descendant of Conallán — a diminutive of Conall” Dillon Diolún Norman · “from de Leon” Dolan Ó Dobhailen Gaelic sept · “descendant of Dobhailen” Donnellan Ó Domhnalláin Gaelic learned family · “descendant of Domhnallán, a diminutive of Domhnall, 'world-ruler'” Duffy Ó Dubhthaigh Gaelic sept · “descendant of Dubhthach, 'the dark one'” Fallon Ó Fallamhain Gaelic sept · “descendant of Fallamhan, 'leader'” Flanagan Ó Flannagáin Gaelic sept · “descendant of Flannagán, 'little red one'” Flynn Ó Floinn Gaelic sept · “descendant of Flann, 'ruddy'” French de Fréins Norman · “'the Frenchman'” Kelly Ó Ceallaigh Gaelic sept · “descendant of Ceallach, 'bright-headed' or 'strife'” Kenny Ó Cionnaith Gaelic sept · “descendant of Cionnaith” Keogh Mac Eochaidh Gaelic learned family · “son of Eochaidh — from each, 'horse'” MacDermot Mac Diarmada Gaelic dynasty · “son of Diarmaid” McCormack Mac Cormaic Gaelic sept · “son of Cormac, 'charioteer'” McDonagh Mac Donnchadha Gaelic sept · “son of Donnchadh” McManus Mac Mághnais Gaelic sept · “son of Magnus — from Latin magnus, 'great'” Molloy Ó Maolmhuaidh Gaelic sept · “descendant of Maolmhuadh, 'noble chief'” Mooney Ó Maonaigh Gaelic sept · “descendant of Maonach” Moran Ó Móráin Gaelic sept · “descendant of Mórán, 'the great one'” Murray Ó Muireadhaigh / Mac Muireadhaigh Gaelic sept & Scots · “descendant of Muireadhach, 'seafarer / lord'” Naughton Ó Neachtain Gaelic sept · “descendant of Neachtan — an old name linked to water” O'Connor Ó Conchobhair Gaelic dynasty · “descendant of Conchobhar, 'lover of hounds'”

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On the ground in Roscommon

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Quick answers
What is the Irish name for County Roscommon?

Ros Comáin. Roscommon is one of the 5 counties of Connacht (Cúige Chonnacht).

Who ruled County Roscommon in the Middle Ages?

Around 1014 it was held by Kingdom of Connacht (O'Connor); by 1450, O'Connor lordships. The full era-by-era chronology is on this page.

What surnames come from County Roscommon?

Names historically associated with Roscommon include Brennan, Carty, Conlan, Dillon, Dolan, Donnellan, Duffy, Fallon, among others.

Trace your ancestors in Roscommon

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