Ireland was one of the earliest countries to evolve a system of hereditary surnames. More than 4,000 Gaelic, Norman and Anglo-Irish surnames are listed in this book, giving a wealth of information on the background and location of Irish families. Edward MacLysaght was a leading authority on Irish names and family history. He served as Chief Herald and Genealogical Officer of the Irish Office of Arms. He was also Keeper of Manuscripts of the National...

The dynamic history of North West Ireland can be seen in the richness and variety of it surnames. Mitchell has attempted to compile concise but informative histories of those surnames which are most closely associated, through numerical strength or uniqueness, with North West Ireland.