Personal Nouns.
483. An Irish name consists of two parts, the ainm-baisdiḋ (or simply ainm), which corresponds to the English Christian name, and the sloinneaḋ, the surname or family name.
Surnames were first used in Ireland about the eleventh century; until that time every Irish personal name was significant, and sometimes rendered more so by the application of some epithet. “In the early ages individuals received their names from epithets implying some personal peculiarity, such as colour of hair, complexion, size, figure, certain accidents of deformity, mental qualities, such as bravery, fierceness, &c.” Joyce’s “Irish Names of Places.”
484. When the Christian name is used in addressing a person, it is always in the vocative case, and preceded by the particle A, which causes aspiration, e.g.:
- Fan liom, a Ṡeaġáin. Wait for me, John.
- Dia ḋuit, a Ṡeumais. Good morning, James.
485. When the Christian name is in the genitive case, it is aspirated, e.g.:
- Leaḃar Ṁáire. Mary’s book.
- Sgian Ṡeoirse. George’s knife.
486. Surnames when not preceded by a Christian name usually take the termination AĊ, which has the force of a patronymic (or father-name), and are declined like marcaċ (par. 57). They are usually preceded by the article except in the vocative case: an Paoraċ, Power; capall an Ḃrianaiġ, O’Brien’s horse
