O'Driscoll (and its derivative Driscoll) is an

Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

surname stemming from the

Gaelic Gaelic is an adjective that means "pertaining to the Gaels". As a noun it refers to the group of languages spoken by the Gaels, or to any one of the languages individually. Gaelic languages are spoken in Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, an ...

''Ó hEidirsceoil'' clan. 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 A sept is a division of a family, especially of a Scottish or Irish family. The term is used in both Scotland and Ireland, where it may be translated as ''sliocht'', meaning "progeny" or "seed", which may indicate the descendants of a person ...

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 Mun ...

until the early modern period. Their ancestors were

Kings of Munster The kings of Munster ( ga, Rí Mumhan), ruled from the establishment of Munster 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 earliest k ...

until the rise of the Eóganachta 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 Cork or CORK may refer to: Materials * Cork (material), an impermeable buoyant plant product ** Cork (plug), a cylindrical or conical object used to seal a container ***Wine cork Places Ireland * Cork (city) ** Metropolitan Cork, also known as G ...

and Kerry.

Naming conventions

Overview

The surname derives from the

forename A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a fa ...

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 ( ga, Contae Chorcaí) is the largest and the southernmost county of Ireland, named after the city of Cork, the state's second-largest city. It is in the province of Munster and the Southern Region. Its largest market towns a ...

, 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. Been driven so far south by the Gaelic Eóganachta and the

Anglo-Normans The Anglo-Normans ( nrf, Anglo-Normaunds, ang, Engel-Norðmandisca) were the medieval ruling class in England, composed mainly of a combination of ethnic Normans, French, Anglo-Saxons, Flemings and Bretons, following the Norman conquest. A sma ...

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

From the thirteenth to the fifteenth centuries they struck an alliance with the Powers of
County Waterford County Waterford ( ga, Contae Phort Láirge) is a county in Ireland. It is in the province of Munster and is part of the South-East Region. It is named after the city of Waterford. Waterford City and County Council is the local authority for t ...
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 Irish historian and Professor Emeritus of Medieval History at University College Cork. He earned his BA in history and Irish from that institution, graduating in 1964. He was ...

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 late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire a ...

era, they were

anglicized Anglicisation is the process by which a place or person becomes influenced by English culture or British culture, or a process of cultural and/or linguistic change in which something non-English becomes English. It can also refer to the influenc ...

as Florence and Cornelius.

Annalistic references

Annals of Ulster The ''Annals of Ulster'' ( ga, Annála Uladh) are annals of 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 Luinín, ...

. AI=

Annals of Inisfallen Annals ( la, annāles, from , "year") are a concise historical record in which events are arranged chronologically, year by year, although the term is also used loosely for any historical record. Scope The nature of the distinction between ann ...

. * 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 Agnes Meyer Driscoll (July 24, 1889 – September 16, 1971), known as "Miss Aggie" or "Madame X'", was an American cryptanalyst during both World War I and World War II and was known as “the first lady of naval cryptology." Early years Born ...

(1889–1971), American cryptanalyst *

Alfred E. Driscoll Alfred Eastlack Driscoll (October 25, 1902 – March 9, 1975) was an American Republican Party politician, who served in the New Jersey Senate (1939–1941) representing Camden County, who served as the 43rd governor of New Jersey, and as pr ...

(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 known for his film and television performances from 1943 to 1960. He starred in some of the Walt Disney Studios' best-known live-action pictures of that period ...

(1937–1968), American Academy Award-winning actor *

Brian O'Driscoll Brian Gerard O'Driscoll (born 21 January 1979) is an Irish former professional rugby union player. He played at outside centre for the Irish provincial team Leinster and for Ireland. He captained Ireland from 2003 until 2012, and captained the ...

(born 1979), Irish international rugby union player *

Bridget Driscoll The death of Bridget Driscoll (c. 185117 August 1896) was the first recorded case of a pedestrian killed in a collision with a motor car in Great Britain. Driscoll, in the company of her teenage daughter May and her friend Elizabeth Murphy, was ...

(died 1896), early British automobile accident victim *

Bruce Driscoll Bruce Driscoll (born June 13, 1983) is an American record producer, songwriter, guitarist, film composer, and vocalist. He first gained notability as one half of the pop band Blondfire; co-writing, producing and self-releasing songs with his sis ...

(born 1983), Brazilian/American record producer, songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist * Charles Benedict Driscoll (1885–1951), American journalist and editor *

Chris Driscoll Chris Driscoll (born September 12, 1971) is a Canadian retired lacrosse player. Professional career Born in Fergus, Ontario, Driscoll began his career with the Detroit Turbos in 1993. He played with the Turbos for two seasons before they disban ...

(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 Daniel Angelus Driscoll (March 6, 1875 – June 5, 1955) was an American businessman and politician who served four terms as a U.S. Representative from New York from 1909 to 1917. Biography Born in Buffalo, New York, Driscoll attended the ...

(1875–1955), Democratic politician from New York *

Daniel Patrick Driscoll Lieutenant-Colonel Daniel Patrick Driscoll (11 May 1862?, Burma? (There is some indication that Driscoll was born in Limerick on 11 May 1858.) – 6 August 1934, Mombasa, Kenya) was a British Army officer of Irish descent, awarded many military h ...

(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 Dennis O'Driscoll (1 January 1954 – 24 December 2012) was an Irish poet, essayist, critic and editor. Regarded as one of the best European poets of his time, Eileen Battersby considered him "the lyric equivalent of William Trevor" and ...

(1954–2012), Irish poet *

Denny Driscoll John F. "Denny" Driscoll (November 19, 1855 – July 11, 1886) was an American Major League Baseball pitcher from 1880 to 1884. Driscoll played for the Buffalo Bisons, Pittsburgh Alleghenys (the modern-day Pittsburgh Pirates), and Louisville E ...

(1855–1886), American Major League Baseball player *

Emma O'Driscoll Emma Louise O'Driscoll (born 23 March 1982 in Limerick, Ireland) is a former Irish pop star, turned children's television presenter and reality television personality. O'Driscoll rose to fame in the 2001–2002 RTÉ One television series '' Po ...

(born 1982), Irish television presenter *

Sir Fineen O'Driscoll Sir Fineen O'Driscoll (died 1629) was an Irish lord who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I. He was more commonly known as The Rover and also known as Fineen of the Ships. He was married to Eileen, daughter of Sir Owen MacCarthy Reagh the 16th Prin ...

(died 1629), Irish lord *

Gary Driscoll John Gary Driscoll (18 April 1946 – 8 June 1987) was an American R&B-style rock drummer who performed in a number of successful bands from the 1960s until his unsolved death by murder on June 10, 1987. He first entered the music scene when ...

(1946–1987), American rock drummer *

Gay O'Driscoll Denis Gabriel "Gay" O'Driscoll (born 1946) is an Irish former Gaelic footballer. His championship career at senior level with the Dublin county team spanned thirteen seasons from 1966 until 1979. Born in West Cork, O'Driscoll was the son of a R ...

, 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 James Driscoll (born October 9, 1977) is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour. Amateur career Driscoll was born in Boston, Massachusetts, the youngest of seven children. He grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts, outside B ...

(born 1977), American golfer *

Jean Driscoll Jean Driscoll (born November 18, 1966) is an American wheelchair racer. She won the women's wheelchair division of the Boston Marathon eight times, more than any other female athlete in any division. Her wins in Boston included seven consecutiv ...

(born 1966), American wheelchair racer * Jim Driscoll (1880–1925), Welsh featherweight boxer * Joe Driscoll (rapper) (born 1979), musician from New York *

John Driscoll (actor) John Edmund Driscoll (born June 27, 1981) is an American television and soap opera actor. Early life Driscoll was born in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He went to Woodbridge Senior High School in Woodbridge, Virginia and graduated in 1999. He was ...

(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) John O'Driscoll (born 1 August 1967 in Ballingeary, County Cork) is a former Irish people, Irish sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club Ballingeary GAA, Ballingeary and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team in t ...

(born 1967), Irish sportsperson *

Joseph Driscoll (Canadian politician) Daniel Joseph Driscoll (June 11, 1876 – January 2, 1942) was a Canadian politician and a municipal councillor in Edmonton, Alberta. Early life Driscoll was born on June 11, 1876, in Arthur, Ontario to Daniel Driscoll and Bridget Roach, a N ...

(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 Julie Driscoll Tippetts (born 8 June 1947) is an English singer and actress. Career Driscoll is known for her 1960s versions of Bob Dylan and Rick Danko's "This Wheel's on Fire", and Donovan's " Season of the Witch", both with Brian Auger and ...

(born 1947), English singer and actress *

Kat Driscoll Katherine "Kat" Driscoll (born 13 March 1986) is a British trampoline gymnast, and has been ranked as world number one. She became a full-time athlete in 2010, and has since won team and synchronised medals at the World and European Championshi ...

(born 1986), British trampolinist * Kermit Driscoll (born 1956), American jazz bassist * Kieran O'Driscoll, Gaelic footballer *

Loren Driscoll Loren Driscoll (April 14, 1928 – April 8, 2008) was an American tenor who had an active international career from the 1950s through the mid-1980s. Driscoll was particularly noted for his performances in contemporary operas and sang in many w ...

(born 1928), 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 Matthew John Driscoll (born February 7, 1958) is an American Democratic Party politician, who served as the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation from 2015 until 2017. He served as the 52nd Mayor of Syracuse, New York ...

(born 1958), American politician * Matthew Driscoll (basketball) (born 1964), American basketball coach *

Michael Driscoll (economist) Michael John Driscoll (born 27 October 1950, Warrington) is an economist, sometime Chair of the Coalition of Modern Universities in the UK and from 1996 to 2015 was Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University in London. In 2016, he was appointed Presid ...

(born 1950), British economist * 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 John Leo "Paddy" Driscoll (January 11, 1895 – June 29, 1968) was an American professional football and baseball player and football coach. A triple-threat man in football, he was regarded as the best drop kicker and one of the best overall pl ...

(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 (1878–1949), Irish Clann na Talmhan politician * Peter Driscoll (author) (1942–2005), British author *

Peter Driscoll Peter Driscoll (born October 27, 1954) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left wing who played in the World Hockey Association and National Hockey League between 1974 and 1981. He was born in Powassan, Ontario. Selected by the Toront ...

(born 1954), Canadian ice hockey player *

Phil Driscoll Phil Driscoll (born November 9, 1947) is a trumpeter, singer, composer, and producer. He performs in varying music genres and styles which include rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and patriotic music, and is best known for his work in Christian ...

(born 1947), American musician and minister * Richard Driscoll,(born 1980) English comic *

Robin Driscoll Robin Driscoll (born 28 June 1957) is a British actor and writer. He is best known as a writer of ''Mr. Bean'' episodes with Rowan Atkinson. He and Atkinson are close friends; they appeared in '' Funny Business'' (1992). As an actor, Driscoll a ...

, British actor and writer * Robyn Driscoll (born 1962), Democratic politician from Montana *

Sean O'Driscoll Sean Michael O'Driscoll (born 1 July 1957) is a former professional footballer and manager. He has previously managed AFC Bournemouth, Doncaster Rovers, Crawley Town, Nottingham Forest, Bristol City and Walsall. He was known by the nickname "No ...

(born 1957), English-born football manager and former player * Shirley Driscoll (born 1935), English cricketer *

Terry Driscoll Edward Cuthbert "Terry" Driscoll, Jr. (born August 28, 1947) is a former American college athletics administrator and professional basketball player. Until 2017, he served as athletic director at the College of William & Mary. College career Dr ...

(born 1947), American basketball player *

William P. Driscoll William Patrick "Willy Irish" Driscoll (born March 5, 1947) is a retired commander in the United States Navy and a flying ace. Driscoll, a Naval Flight Officer, and aircrewmate Duke Cunningham, a Naval Aviator, were their service's only aces o ...

(born 1947), American Navy flight officer

Fictional characters

* Becky Driscoll from the film ''

Invasion of the Body Snatchers ''Invasion of the Body Snatchers'' is a 1956 American science fiction horror film produced by Walter Wanger, directed by Don Siegel, and starring Kevin McCarthy and Dana Wynter. The black-and-white film was shot in Superscope and in the film ...

'' (1956) * Elizabeth Driscoll from the film ''

'' (1978) * Erin Driscoll from the television show '' 24'' * Jack Driscoll from the ''

King Kong King Kong is a fictional giant monster resembling a gorilla, who has appeared in various media since 1933. He has been dubbed The Eighth Wonder of the World, a phrase commonly used within the franchise. His first appearance was in the novelizat ...

'' franchise * Peyton Driscoll from the television show ''

CSI: NY ''CSI: NY'' (''Crime Scene Investigation: New York'', stylized as ''CSI: NY/Crime Scene Investigation'') is an American police procedural television series that ran on CBS from September 22, 2004, to February 22, 2013, for a total of nine season ...

'' * Driscoll from the video game ''

Front Mission is a collection of video games and related media produced by 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 within Square Enix as Product De ...

'' * 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 (whitening) from a fabric or fiber or to clean or to remove stains in a process called bleaching. It often refers specifically, to ...

'' * 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 1899 and f ...

'' * Driscoll Padgett from the novel ''

Bleeding Edge Emerging technologies are technologies whose development, practical applications, or both are still largely unrealized. These technologies are generally new but also include older technologies finding new applications. Emerging technologies a ...

'' *

Jesse Pinkman Jesse Bruce Pinkman is a main character in the American television series ''Breaking Bad'', played by Aaron Paul. He is a crystal meth cook and dealer and works with his former high school chemistry teacher, Walter White ( Bryan Cranston). J ...

from the television series ''

Breaking Bad ''Breaking Bad'' is an American crime drama television series created and produced by Vince Gilligan. Set and filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the series follows Walter White (Bryan Cranston), an underpaid, overqualified, and dispirited h ...

'', 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 (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of the Wicklow Mountains range. At the 2016 ...

, 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.

External links

Clan Driscoll
of the

Clans of Ireland Clans of Ireland ( Irish: ''Finte na hÉireann'') is an independent organisation established in 1989 with the purpose of creating and maintaining a register of Irish clans. The patron of the organisation is Michael D. Higgins, President of Ire ...

O'Driscoll
by Dave Driscoll
O'Driscoll family pedigree
at Library Ireland
The O'Driscolls of West Cork

Corca Laidhe ongoing Regional yDNA Study
* http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irlkik/ihm/ire1100.htm * http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/surname/index.cfm?fuseaction=Go.&UserID= * http://www.libraryireland.com/articles/GarryowlCastleIDJ/index.php * http://www.fluckers.com/family/driscoll/ * http://www.ucc.ie/celt/nation_kingship.html {{DEFAULTSORT:O hEidirsceoil Irish families Surnames of Irish origin Anglicised Irish-language surnames Families of Irish ancestry