DNA-R1B1C7-L Archives

Archiver > DNA-R1B1C7 > 2011-03 > 1300824406


From:
Subject: Re: [R-M222] Birch
Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2011 16:06:46 EDT


In a message dated 3/22/2011 8:48:23 A.M. Central Daylight Time,
writes:

A far better genealogist than I am has suggested that McHarg may have
derived from MacGiolla Chairge, and refers to the annals of Fernmag or
Fernmaighe :

For 1062, Ruaidri, mac Con Cairge, tanaisi Fernmhaighe

In Scotland, McHarg is found mostly in the Galloway, Dumfries area, with a
hot-spot in Kirkudbright (pronounced Kirkoobree).




MacLysaght has:

Mac Harg - this Tryone name is an earlier form of Maharg. See MacIlhagga.

MacIlhagga - Mac Giolla Chairge. This Gaelic form is given by Mac Gilla
Domhnaigh. A Scottish name found in Cos. Antrim and Derry. MacElhargy,
MacIlhargy and Maharg are variants of it.

I'm not sure what he means by "The Gaelic form is given by...."

Woulfe (Irish Names and Surnames) only has a listing for Macilhargy with a
completely different derivation:

Mac Giolla Fearga - MacIlhargy - doubtless a Leitrim surname but now
extremely rare. [derived from the name of St. Fearga.

Another source (A McClaughry family history) just says the name is a
"Galloway surname."


No much to go on here.

I don't know about the Tanist of Fermanagh reference. That would apply to
the era prior to the Maguire ascendancy. At the time the chieftainship
was held by different lines of the same branch of the Irish Airgialla. Don't
remember the particulars though.


John







This thread: