O'Driscoll (and its derivative Driscoll) is an Irish surname. It is derived from the Gaelic ''Ó hEidirsceoil''. The O'Driscolls were rulers of the

Dáirine The Dáirine (Dárine, Dáirfine, Dáirfhine, Dárfine, Dárinne, Dairinne), later known dynastically as the Corcu Loígde and associated, were the proto-historical rulers of Munster before the rise of the Eóganachta in the 7th century AD. They ...

sept of the

Corcu Loígde The Corcu Loígde (Corcu Lóegde, Corco Luigde, Corca Laoighdhe, Laidhe), meaning Gens of the Calf Goddess, also called the Síl Lugdach meic Itha, were a kingdom centred in West County Cork who descended from the proto-historical rulers of M ...

until the early modern period; their ancestors were

Kings of Munster The kings of Munster () ruled the Kingdom of Munster in Ireland from its establishment during the Irish Iron Age until the High Middle Ages. According to Gaelic traditional history, laid out in works such as the ''Book of Invasions'', the earli ...

until the rise of the

Eóganachta The Eóganachta (Modern , ) were an Irish dynasty centred on Rock of Cashel, Cashel which dominated southern Ireland (namely the Kingdom of Munster) from the 6/7th to the 10th centuries, and following that, in a restricted form, the Kingdom of De ...

in the 7th century. At the start of the 13th century, three prominent branches of the family came into existence: O'Driscoll Mor, O'Driscoll Og, and O'Driscoll Beara. The Ó prefix was dropped by many in Ireland during the 17th and 18th centuries. The surname is now most prominent in the Irish counties of Cork and Kerry.

Naming conventions

Overview

The surname derives from the forename Eidirsceol, who was alive in the early-to-mid 10th century. The Irish word itself, ''eidirsceol'', means "go-between" or "bearer of news". The family are of

Érainn The Iverni (, ') were a people of early Ireland first mentioned in Ptolemy's 2nd century ''Geography'' as living in the extreme south-west of the island. He also locates a "city" called Ivernis (, ') in their territory, and observes that this se ...

descent, specifically the

population group. By the time the family began using the surname, the territory known as Corcu Loígde (roughly the same as the diocese of Ross) in south-west

County Cork County Cork () is the largest and the southernmost Counties of Ireland, county of Republic of Ireland, Ireland, named after the city of Cork (city), Cork, the state's second-largest city. It is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster ...

, was identified as their homeland, with the town of Baltimore been their seat. From the 12th century the Ó hEidirsceoil's were recorded as kings of Corcu Loígde. According to historian C. Thomas Cairney, the O'Driscolls were a chiefly family of the Corca Laoghdne who in turn came from the Erainn tribe who were the second wave of

Celts The Celts ( , see Names of the Celts#Pronunciation, pronunciation for different usages) or Celtic peoples ( ) were a collection of Indo-European languages, Indo-European peoples. "The Celts, an ancient Indo-European people, reached the apoge ...

who settled in Ireland from 500 to 100 BC. Been driven so far south by the Gaelic

and the

Anglo-Normans The Anglo-Normans (, ) were the medieval ruling class in the Kingdom of England following the Norman Conquest. They were primarily a combination of Normans, Bretons, Flemings, French people, Frenchmen, Anglo-Saxons and Celtic Britons. Afte ...

, the family became expert sailors and fishermen. According to genealogist John Grenham:

From the thirteenth to the fifteenth centuries they struck an alliance with the Powers of
County Waterford County Waterford () is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster and is part of the Southern Region, Ireland, Southern Region. It is named after the city of Waterford. ...
in their long feud with the burgesses and merchants of Waterford city, and many of their leaders were killed in battle on land and sea. The feud ended when one of the best known incidents occurred in 1413, when the Mayor of Waterford, Simon Wicken, arrived in Baltimore on Christmas Day and was invited to join in the Christmas festivities. From the fifteenth century on, the family struggled to retain lands and power taken by the English. By 1610, Baltimore had become an English port. In 1631 the town was sacked by Algerine pirates who according to the Irish poem, "Only Smiled; O'Driscolls Child", the pirates burned, raided and kidnapped their people. The poem describes a brave O'Driscoll girl who fought back against the pirates. The poem further describes that, "High on a gallows tree a yelling wretch is seen: Hackett of Dungarvan steered the Algerine". "Some mutter'd of MacMurchadh who brought the Norman O'er. Some curs'd him with Iscariot, that day in Baltimore!"

They are described by

Donnchadh Ó Corráin Donnchadh Ó Corráin (28 February 1942 – 25 October 2017) was an Republic of Ireland, Irish historian and professor emeritus of medieval history at University College Cork. He earned his BA in history and Irish from UCC, graduating in 1964. ...

as follows:

In general, the seafaring peoples of the south and west coast—Ua hEtersceóil, Ua Muirchertaig, Ua Conchobair Chiarraige, Ua Domnaill of Corcu Baiscind, Ua Flaithbeartaig, Ua Dubda, and others served as commanders of the king's fleets.

Though the landowners of the clan lost several castles during the 17th century war with Queen Elizabeth of England, most of those bearing the name in Ireland are still to be found living in the County Cork. Forenames associated with the family included Finn and Con/Mac Con. From the late

medieval In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of World history (field), global history. It began with the fall of the West ...

era, they were

anglicized Anglicisation or anglicization is a form of cultural assimilation whereby something non-English becomes assimilated into or influenced by the culture of England. It can be sociocultural, in which a non-English place adopts the English language ...

as Florence and Cornelius.

Annalistic references

Annals of Ulster The ''Annals of Ulster'' () are annals of History of Ireland, medieval Ireland. The entries span the years from 431 AD to 1540 AD. The entries up to 1489 AD were compiled in the late 15th century by the scribe Ruaidhrí Ó Luin� ...

. AI=

Annals of Inisfallen The ''Annals of Inisfallen'' () are a chronicle of the medieval history of Ireland. Overview There are more than 2,500 entries spanning the years between 433 and 1450. The manuscript is thought to have been compiled in 1092, as the chronic ...

. * U944: Cairpre son of Mael Pátraic, king of Uí, Liatháin, and Finn son of Mután, king of Corcu Laígdi, were killed by the men of Mag Féine. * AI1103: Conchobar Ua hEtersceóil, king of Corcu Laígde, died in Ros Ailithir. * AI1103: The son of Ua hEtersceóil, king of Corcu Laígde, went to sea with a crew of twenty-five, . * AI1126: Ciarmac Ua hEtersceóil died. * AI1178: Muirchertach, grandson of Domnall Ua Carthaig, was treacherously slain by Ua hEtersceóil {in Móin Cluana Cuarbáin and Hector(?) * AI1179: The son of Finn Ua hEtersceóil was slain. * AI1229: Donnchad Ó hEtersceóil, king of Corcu Laígde, died.

List of people

* Agnes Meyer Driscoll (1889–1971), American cryptanalyst * Alfred E. Driscoll (1902–1975), American politician * Barry Driscoll (1926–2006), British painter, wildlife artist and sculptor *

Bobby Driscoll Robert Cletus Driscoll (March 3, 1937 – March 30, 1968) was an American actor who performed on film and television from 1943 to 1960. He starred in some of the The Walt Disney Studios (division), Walt Disney Studios' best-known live-action pict ...

(1937–1968), American Academy Award-winning actor * Brian Driscoll, American law enforcement officer *

Brian O'Driscoll Brian Gerard O'Driscoll (born 21 January 1979) is an Irish former professional rugby union player. He played at outside Centre (rugby union), centre for the Irish provincial team Leinster Rugby, Leinster and for Ireland national rugby union te ...

(born 1979), Irish international rugby union player * Bridget Driscoll (died 1896), early British automobile accident victim * Bruce Driscoll (born 1983), Brazilian/American record producer, songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist * Charles Benedict Driscoll (1885–1951), American journalist and editor * Chris Driscoll (born 1971), Canadian lacrosse player * Clara Driscoll (disambiguation), multiple people * Dan O'Driscoll (born 1985), former drummer in The Divided, vocalist in British metal band Centuries * Daniel A. Driscoll (1875–1955), Democratic politician from New York * Daniel P. Driscoll (born 1985/86), United States secretary of the Army * Daniel Patrick Driscoll (1862–1934), British army officer * Danny Driscoll (1855–1888), American criminal and co-leader of the Whyos * Denis J. Driscoll (1871–1958), Democratic politician from Pennsylvania * Dennis O'Driscoll (1954–2012), Irish poet * Denny Driscoll (1855–1886), American Major League Baseball player * Emma O'Driscoll (born 1982), Irish television presenter * Sir Fineen O'Driscoll (died 1629), Irish lord * Gary Driscoll (1946–1987), American rock drummer * Gay O'Driscoll, Dublin senior football player * Ger O'Driscoll (disambiguation), multiple people * Hockey Driscoll, rugby union and rugby league footballer who played in the 1890s and 1900s * Gerry Driscol (1924–2011), American yacht racer and businessperson * Jack Driscoll (American football) (born 1997), American football player * Jackie O'Driscoll (1921–1988), Irish football winger * James Driscoll (born 1977), American golfer * Jean Driscoll (born 1966), American wheelchair racer * Jim Driscoll (1880–1925), Welsh featherweight boxer * Joe Driscoll (rapper) (born 1979), musician from New York * John Driscoll (actor) (born 1981), American television and soap opera actor * John L. Driscoll, American football coach and sports figure * John R. Driscoll (1924–2014), American politician and businessman *

John O'Driscoll (rugby union) John O'Driscoll (born 26 November 1952) is an Irish former rugby union player.
Scrum.com He was educated at John O'Driscoll (Gaelic footballer) (born 1967), Irish sportsperson * Joseph Driscoll (Canadian politician) (1876–1942), Canadian politician and a municipal councillor in Edmonton, Alberta * Joseph R. Driscoll, American politician, member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives * Julie Driscoll (born 1947), English singer and actress * Kat Driscoll (born 1986), British trampolinist * Kermit Driscoll (born 1956), American jazz bassist * Loren Driscoll (1928–2008), American tenor * Mark Driscoll (disambiguation), multiple people * Mark Driscoll (screenwriter) (born 1959), American screenwriter * Martha O'Driscoll (1922–1998), American film actress from 1937 until 1947 * Matthew Driscoll (born 1958), American politician * Matthew Driscoll (basketball) (born 1964), American basketball coach * Michael Driscoll (economist) (born 1950), British economist * Michael Driscoll (born 1960) American politician and businessman * Michael E. Driscoll (1851–1929), American representative to New York * Michael Patrick Driscoll (1939–2017), American Roman Catholic bishop * Mick O'Driscoll (born 1978), Irish international rugby union player * Paddy Driscoll (1895–1968), American professional football quarterback * Pádraig O'Driscoll, Dublin senior hurler at Lucan Sarsfields * Patricia Driscoll (1927–2020), Irish and British actress * Patrick Driscoll (born 1987), Canadian musician *

Patrick O'Driscoll Patrick Florence O'Driscoll (14 January 1878 – 8 August 1949) was an Irish Clann na Talmhan politician. A farmer by profession, he was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Clann na Talmhan Teachta Dála (TD) for the Cork West (Dáil constituency), C ...

(1878–1949), Irish Clann na Talmhan politician * Peter Driscoll (author) (1942–2005), British author * Peter Driscoll (born 1954), Canadian ice hockey player * Phil Driscoll (born 1947), American musician and minister * Richard Driscoll (born 1980), English comic * Robin Driscoll, British actor and writer * Robyn Driscoll (born 1962), Democratic politician from Montana * Sean O'Driscoll (born 1957), English-born football manager and former player * Shirley Driscoll (born 1935), English cricketer * Terry Driscoll (born 1947), American basketball player * William P. Driscoll (born 1947), American Navy flight officer

Fictional characters

* Becky Driscoll from the film '' Invasion of the Body Snatchers'' (1956) * Elizabeth Driscoll from the film '' Invasion of the Body Snatchers'' (1978) * Erin Driscoll from the television show '' 24'' * Jack Driscoll from the ''

King Kong King Kong, also referred to simply as Kong, is a fictional giant monster resembling a gorilla, who has appeared in various media since 1933. The character has since become an international pop culture icon,Erb, Cynthia, 1998, ''Tracking Kin ...

'' franchise * Peyton Driscoll from the television show '' CSI: NY'' * Driscoll from the video game ''

Front Mission is a collection of video games and related media produced by Square (video game company), Square, now Square Enix. The series was created by Toshiro Tsuchida and developed by G-Craft, a studio that was later absorbed by Square and existed withi ...

'' * Driscoll Berci from the manga series ''

Bleach Bleach is the generic name for any chemical product that is used industrially or domestically to remove color from (i.e. to whiten) fabric or fiber (in a process called bleaching) or to disinfect after cleaning. It often refers specifically t ...

'' * Colm O'Driscoll and his gang, the O'Driscolls, in the video game ''

Red Dead Redemption 2 ''Red Dead Redemption 2'' is a 2018 action-adventure game developed and published by Rockstar Games. The game is the third entry in the ''Red Dead'' series and a prequel to the 2010 game ''Red Dead Redemption''. The story is set in a fictiona ...

'' * Driscoll Padgett from the novel '' Bleeding Edge'' * Jesse Pinkman from the television series ''

Breaking Bad ''Breaking Bad'' is an American crime drama television series created and produced by Vince Gilligan for AMC (TV channel), AMC. Set and filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the series follows Walter White (Breaking Bad), Walter White (Bryan Cran ...

'', who adopts the surname Driscoll in the series epilogue film '' El Camino'' (2019)

References

* ''Family Names of Co. Cork'', D. O'Murchadha, Glendale Press,

Dublin Dublin is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Situated on Dublin Bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, and is bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, pa ...

, 1985. * ''Driscolls and more Driscolls:from County Cork (Ireland) to Township York (Noble County, IN)'', Allen W. Driscoll, Wawaka, 1998. * Byrne, Francis J., ''Irish Kings and High-Kings''. Four Courts Press. 2nd edition, 2001. * D'Alton, John
Illustrations, Historical and Genealogical, of King James's Irish Army List, 1689
2 vols. London: J.R. Smith. 2nd edition, 1861. (see under O'Donovan's Infantry) * Lankford, E. 'O Driscolls Past and Present' Cape Clear Museum (2005) * Ó Corráin, Donnchadh, "Corcu Loígde: Land and Families", in ''Cork: History and Society. Interdisciplinary Essays on the History of an Irish County'', edited by Patrick O'Flanagan and Cornelius G. Buttimer. Dublin: Geography Publications. 1993. * O'Donovan, John (ed.), "The Genealogy of Corca Laidhe", in ''Miscellany of the Celtic Society''. Dublin. 1849. * O'Hart, John
Irish Pedigrees
Dublin. 5th edition, 1892. * O'Rahilly, Thomas F., ''Early Irish History and Mythology''. Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. 1946.