Commane

COMMANE Irish Gaelic: Ó Comáin
Language(s)	English, Irish Gaelic
Origin
Region of origin	Connaught, Munster, Clare
Meaning	"noble" or "steadfast" or "companion" or "communion"

The Irish surname Commane (Irish Gaelic: Ó Comáin, Ó Cuimín, or reduced from Mac Comáin, Mac Cuimín, the prefix signifies "descendant") is of Gaelic Ireland origin, rooted in an early medieval chiefdom and associated with two patron saints of Ireland.

Variants of the name include Comain, Comaine, Coman, Comeens, Comins, Comman, Commins, Common(s), Comyn, Cowman(s), Cummane, Cummin(s), Cumming(s), Cumyn, McCowman. Sometimes incorrectly 'translated' to Hurley camán a hurly. Standardised form: Ó Comáin.

The name is derived from the Gaelic personal Comán (meaning "noble" or "steadfast") or Commán ("companion" or "communion"), a name from early Irish history, reflecting virtues of early Irish saints and aristocratic chieftans. The surname is rooted in the province of Connaught (sept: Ó Cuimín) and Munster (sept: Ó Comáin), particularly in County Clare, and the 8th and 9th century chiefdom of Tulach Commain ("The Mound of Commane") a burial and inauguration site for chieftains, and their capital Cahercommaun ("The Dwelling of Commane") also in Clare.

The surname is mentioned throughout the Irish annals, for example Part 15 of the Annals of the Four Masters: "1052 AD, Echthighern Ua hEaghráin, successor of Ciaran of Cluain-mic-Nois and of Comman, died on his pilgrimage at Cluain-Iraird".

The surname Ó Comáin is attested in Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh's 17th-century genealogical compilation, Leabhar Mór na nGenealach (The Great Book of Irish Genealogies), a key source for tracing Irish lineages.

The various spellings of Commane and its variants can largely be attributed to the lack of Standard Irish until 1948 and the historical practice of English-speaking officials transcribing Irish names phonetically, often based on how the names were pronounced.

Chiefdom of Commane

For the archaeological site linked to the Commane chiefdom and insight into the socio-politics of early medieval Ireland, see Cahercommaun.

Irish chiefdoms of old established their claims to rule through territories divided among aristocratic, multi-lineage social units (known as ramages), which were governed by a leading chiefly ramage. Each chiefdom contained a capital site, comprising the chief residence of the chieftain, the church, and a mound which was inauguration site of chieftains.

View from Cahercommaun

Tulach Commáin was a small chiefdom (indigenous, not mixed with foreign Norsemen or Vikings) coexisting with the larger and more ancient chiefdom of the Corcu Mruad. It likely emerged from the disintegration of this larger polity, possibly forming part of the Dál Cais and Thomond's chiefdom confederacies. The chiefdom’s capital, Cahercommaun (Cathair Commáin or "Commane's Residence"), served as the political and ceremonial centre of Tulach Commáin in the 8th and 9th centuries.

According to historian D. Blair Gibson, in the book Tulach Commain: A view of an Irish chiefdom, Cahercommaun exemplifies the hierarchical structures of early medieval Irish chiefdoms, featuring evidence of both settlement and ritualistic activity.

In the Gaelic nobility of Ireland, Tulach Commáin likely functioned as an autonomous túath or as part of a larger composite chiefdom. It served as a hub of political, social, and religious activity, with its elaborate structures and associated monastic sites indicating its importance as a regional power. It is likely that in the 8th - 9th century Irish composite chiefdoms were more loosely organised than in later medieval periods, so that túatha within composite chiefdoms could have been largely autonomous.

The identity and origins of Tulach Commáin

In the Anals of Innisfallen, the death of Colman mac Comáin on one of the Aran islands is recorded in 751 A.D, according to Gibson, likely son of Comáin chief of Tulach Commáin.

In the Anals of Innisfallen and Annals of Ulster, the demise of Célechair mac Commáin (son of Commáin) is recorded in the Battle of Corcmodruadh in either 704 or 705 A.D. Gibson identifies him as of the Eóganacht Uí Cormaic, a branch of the prominent Eóganacht dynasty. Gibson's work draws on references such as O’Brien’s "Corpus Genealogiarum Hiberniae" and Byrne’s "Irish Kings and High-Kings", which outline the genealogical framework of the Eóganacht. According to Frost, the Uí Cormaic settled in what is now the Islands Barony, possibly on the territory of the Corcu Baiscinn, located directly east of Tulach Commáin. Gibson suggests that Cahercommaun, associated with Tulach Commáin, may have been the centre of a short-lived Eóganacht chiefdom, or part of the larger mór túath (over-kingdom) of the Corcu Mruad.

Royal connection

Célechair mac Commáin, being of the Eóganacht Uí Cormaic, would directly link him by genealogy to the Eóganacht dynasty, which dominated Munster’s rulership in early medieval Ireland. The Eóganacht trace their origins to Éogan Mór, a King of Munster and the progenitor of the dynasty, through notable figures such as Conall Corc, founder of the Eóganacht Chaisil. This connection would place Célechair mac Commáin’s lineage within a royal framework, with ancestors likely holding the title of Rí (king) at various levels of the Eóganacht hierarchy.Template:Date=January 2025

As late as the 19th century, Tulach Commáin the burial and inauguration site for chieftains, was regarded as a supernaturally potent spot. A local told an archaeologist:

"it has more fairies that all the other forts of the hill"

Referred to interchangeable in variant spellings throughout book Comáin, Commáin, Comain (different spellings and names are common in Ireland).

Pedigree according to O'Hart

The O'Comáin family, from which the surname "Commane" originates, is descended (according to John O'Hart in Irish Pedigrees 1892) from Breanan Dall, the son of Cairbre Crom-ris, also known as Cairbre MacFechine. Cairbre Crom-ris is believed to have lived during the early medieval period of Ireland, around the 6th to 8th century, when the Ui Maine kingdom in Connacht encompassed all of what is now north, east and south County Galway, south and central County Roscommon.

Hereditary surnames in Ireland only began emerging between the 9th and 11th centuries. The name "O'Comáin" (anglicised as "Commane") would have been adopted by descendants.

The "O'Comáin" lineage is derived from Comán or Commán, son of Breanan Dall. Over the generations, the name was anglicised in multiple variation as "Coman" or "Comyn." The O'Comáin genealogy continues through several generations, including:

• Eoghan (son of Comán),
• Conghal, his son
• Seachnasach, " "
• Reachtghal, " "
• Feareadhach, " "
• Fogharthach, " "
• and Cethern. " "

The lineage culminates in Conall O'Comain, who lived during the 13th century.

Loss of ancestral lands

During the 13th century, the family were dispossessed of their ancestral lands. In 1225, following the Anglo-Norman invasion of Connaught, the Lordship of Connaught was granted by King Henry III of England to the De Burc (Burke) family.

No connection between Irish Comyn and Scottish Comyn

The Scottish surname "Comyn" (or Cumming) and the Irish surname "Comyn" (Gaelic origin: O'Comáin) share linguistic roots but evolved separately in distinct cultural and historical contexts.

• Similar origins: Both names derive from the Gaelic root "Coman", meaning "companion" or "communion." The Irish "O'Comáin" ("descendant of Comán") originates in Munster and Connaught, Ireland, while the Scottish "Comyn" has Norman origins.
• Scottish context: The Comyn family in Scotland descended from Robert de Comines, a Norman noble who came to England with William the Conqueror. His descendants, the Comyns, became a prominent and powerful clan in Scotland, particularly during the Wars of Independence in the late 13th and early 14th centuries.
• No direct genealogical link: Despite the shared etymological roots of the names, there is no genealogical connection between the Irish O'Comáin family and the Scottish Comyn family. The similarities are coincidental and reflect shared Gaelic linguistic heritage.

Notable figures

Several historical and ecclesiastical figures are associated with the name and variants:

• Commán of Roscommon: (6th-century) Saint, bishop and founder of Roscommon (St. Comman's Wood), one of the 12 founding saints of Ireland.
• Coman of Kinvara was an early Medieval Irish Saint.
• Colmán mac Comán: (8th-century) Irish bishop and abbot of Clonard who played a significant role in the spread of Christianity in Ireland.
• Pádhraic Ó Comáin: (19th-century) Irish writer and poet, known for his works in the Gaelic Revival movement.
• John O'Comáin: (historical figure) Irish scribe and historian from Connacht who contributed to the preservation of Irish manuscripts.
• Catherine Coman (18th Century) An Irish emigrant and activist who supported Irish independence in the United States.
• Gilla Cómáin mac Gilla Samthainde: (11th-century) a medieval Irish poet.
• Andrew Commins (19th-20th century) Irish lawyer and politician.
• Ashleigh Cummings is an Australian actress.
• Maria Susanna Cummins was an American novelist. She authored the novel The Lamplighter (1854).
• Linus B. Comins was a Massachusetts politician and member of the United States House of Representatives.
• Richard Blundell Comins was an English Anglican priest.
• John Commins (hurler) is an Irish retired hurler who played as a goalkeeper for the Galway senior team.
• Alan Cumyn is a Canadian novelist.
• Dick Cowman is a former rugby union international who represented England from 1971 to 1973
• Roz Cowman is an Irish poet and critic.

Variants and distribution

Ó Comáin and its variants have evolved over centuries, shaped by regional differences in spelling and pronunciation, as well as the influence of linguistic changes over time. These variations provide a glimpse into the surname's history and geographic spread:

• Comaine: Found primarily in County Clare and parts of Connacht, this variant reflects the traditional Gaelic roots of the name and is often associated with early historical records.
• Comain: A shortened variant frequently seen in medieval texts and official records, reflecting both phonetic simplification and anglicisation.
• Coman: A modernised version of the name, Coman is more commonly used outside Ireland, particularly among descendants of Irish emigrants in English-speaking countries.
• Commane: This form is common in Munster, in Clare, Cork and Kerry, and families who emigrated to English-speaking countries.
• Comman: Though less frequent, this variation is documented in early manuscripts and reflects historical flexibility in Gaelic naming conventions.
• Comeens: A rarer form of the name, sometimes seen in localised Irish contexts, particularly in early census records.
• Common(s): Likely a phonetic adaptation that emerged during the surname's anglicisation, particularly in Ireland and Britain.
• Cowman(s): A distinct regional adaptation, more commonly seen in Wexford and Waterford during the 16th and 17th centuries.
• Cummin(s): A variation widely adopted in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States and Canada, as Irish emigrants adapted their names to local linguistic norms.
• Cumming(s): A spelling variant that emerged alongside Cummins, often found in Scotland and later adopted in emigrant communities.
• Cumyn: A historical spelling variation, often found in early Scottish and Irish records.
• McCowman: A specific variation tied to Waterford and the southeastern regions of Ireland, reflecting its Gaelic origins.

The surname's dispersal beyond Ireland occurred during the 19th and 20th centuries, driven by waves of emigration caused by famine, economic hardship, and global opportunities. Today, significant populations bearing these variants can be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, where the surname continues to evolve and adapt to local linguistic environments.

Early bearers and historical records

Early given names

• Cummeni, bishop of Nendrum, 659 in AU;
• Cuimine, abbot of Clonmacnoise, 665 in Chronicum Scotorum;
• Cummene, abbot of Iona, 669 in AU;
• Cuimini Albi, abbot of Iona, 669 in Chronicum Scotorum.

Ó Comáin

• Ferdoragh alias John Comyn, horseman, 1569 in Fiants Elizabeth §1298 (Carrygnisheagh, Tipperary);
• Maurice O Koman, yeoman, and son Rory O Coman, 1573 in Fiants Elizabeth §2251 (Kanturk, Cork); Note spellings
• Rory mcMorish YComan, kern, 1576 in Fiants Elizabeth §2781 (Malla, Cork);
• Shane O Cumyn, husbandman, 1577 in Fiants Elizabeth §3089 (Ballicumyn, Clare);
• Edm boy O Coman, 1582 in Fiants Elizabeth §3884 (King’s [Offaly]);
• Tho. O Comain, 1585 in Fiants Elizabeth §4716 (Kerry);
• Patr. Comin, yeoman, 1586 in Fiants Elizabeth §4853 (Ballenecorr, Dublin);
• Conoghor O Caman and Philip and Rory O Comen, 1591 in Fiants Elizabeth §5562 (west Munster);
• Donogh O Camane, 1593 in Fiants Elizabeth §5805 (Ballynehowen, Sligo);
• Owen O Comane, 1665 in Hearth Money Rolls (Achonry, Maolagha [Moylough], Sligo);
• Laerunce Commane, 1796 in Flaxgrowers List (Ross, Cork);
• Mathias Commons, 1796 in Flaxgrowers List (Clare-Tuam, Galway);
• Daniel Commins, 1796 in Flaxgrowers List (Geashill, Offaly);
• Jerimiah Cummins, 1826 in Tithe Applotment (Kilgobban, Ballinadee, Cork);
• Joseph Cummins, 1826 in Tithe Applotment (Tironeill, Clonleigh, Donegal);
• Derby Cummins, 1826 in Tithe Applotment (Belvidere, Abington, Limerick);
• Tim Cummins, 1826 in Tithe Applotment (Middletown, Aughrim, Galway);
• James Cowman, 1828 in Tithe Applotment (Modeshill, Tipperary).

Mac Comáin

• Maurice, Nicholas, Robert, and William McCowmen, 1553–4 in Fiants Mary §39 (the Pouers contrie, Waterford);
• Nich. McComyn, 1576 in Fiants Elizabeth §2746 (Knockanvig);
• Edm. McComyn, 1577 in Fiants Elizabeth §3087 (Taremode, Clare);
• Walter McComyn, husbandman, 1579 in Fiants Elizabeth §3541 (Dargill, Wexford);
• McCowman, principal Irish name, 1660 in Census and Poll, p. 346 (Barony of Middlethird, Waterford);
• Luke Cowman, 1824 in Tithe Applotment (Mangan, Templeshanbo, Wexford);
• Edward and Mogue Cowman, 1828 in Tithe Applotment (Grange, Fethard, Wexford);
• Catherine Cowman, 1833 in Tithe Applotment (Ballymichael, Arkandrisk, Wexford);
• Thomas Mccommons, 1833 in Tithe Applotment (Carnakelly, Killofin, Clare).

Cowman in Wexford seems to come from Mac Comáin.

See also

• Colmán mac Comán
• Commán of Roscommon
• Cahercommaun
• County Clare
• Kingdom of Thomand

References

• "Annals of Innisfallen." CELT Project. University College Cork.
• "Annals of Ulster." CELT Project. University College Cork.
• "From Chiefdom to State in Early Ireland." Gibson, D. Blair. Cambridge University Press.
• "The History and Topography of the County of Clare." Frost, James. Internet Archive.
• "Corpus Genealogiarum Hiberniae." O'Brien, M. A. Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.
• "Irish Kings and High-Kings." Byrne, F. J. Four Courts Press.
• "Irish Pedigrees: Or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation." O'Hart, John. M.H. Gill & Son.
• "Leabhar Mór na nGenealach." Mac Fhirbhisigh, Dubhaltach. Edited by Nollaig Ó Muraíle. De Búrca Rare Books.
• "Cahercommaun Triple Ring Fort." Academia.edu. Academia.edu.
• "CELT: The Corpus of Electronic Texts." CELT Project. University College Cork.

• Gibson, D. Blair. From Chiefdom to State in Early Ireland. Cambridge University Press, 2012.Cambridge University Press
• Gibson, D. Blair. Tulach Commain: A view of an Irish chiefdom.
• "Cahercommaun Triple Ring Fort." Academia.edu. Academia.edu
• "Discover Cahercommaun with Archaeologist, Michael Lynch." Burrenbeo. Burrenbeo
• "Early Medieval Ireland, AD 400-1100: The Evidence from Archaeological Excavations." Academia.edu. Academia.edu
• "Picture Perfect: Using Drone Technology and Photogrammetry Techniques to Map the Western Stone Forts of Ireland." Academia.edu. Academia.edu

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