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The Irish surname Commane (Irish Gaelic: Ó Comáin or 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 hurley. 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 chieftains. 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 Cahercommane ("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 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

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.

Tulach Commáin was a small indigenous chiefdom, 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, Cahercommane (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 his dissertation Tulach Commain: A view of an Irish chiefdom, Cahercommane 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 Cahercommane, 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.

According to the 9th-century text by O'Daly, The Story of Moshaulum and Mac Con and Luigith, Ailill, son of Mag Nuadat, was the King of the southern half of Ireland in the 3rd century. The text recounts that Ailill sent a message to Ferchess, son of Commán, described as an old fían warrior and an ancient member of Ailill's household.

A related narrative, The Death of Mac Con, further highlights the role of Ferchess mac Commán in early Irish mythology. In this text, Ferchess is tasked by King Ailill to avenge the death of Éogan, Ailill's son, by slaying Lugaid Mac Con, a High King of Ireland and Ailill's stepson. Ferchess carries out the task, killing Lugaid with a spear, an act commemorated in the naming of the "Rapids of Ferchess".

"Commán" also appears in various Irish historical and ecclesiastical records, such as "Commán mac ua Theimhne," associated with Temenrige and commemorated in early Christian calendars. However, this figure appearrs distinct from the Commán associated with the 3rd-century narrative of Ailill Ólom.

19th Century

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).

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. 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.

However, 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. Thus, 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.

Patron Saints of Ireland

1. Commán of Roscommon: (6th-century) Saint, bishop and founder of Roscommon (St. Comman's Wood), one of the 12 founding saints of Ireland.
2. Coman of Kinvara was an early Medieval Irish Saint.

Notable figures

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

• Colmán mac Comán: (8th-century) the second abbot listed in the Irish annals
• Pádhraic Ó Comáin: (19th-century) Irish writer and poet, known for his works in the Gaelic Revival movement.
• 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.

Further reading

• "Annals of Innisfallen." CELT Project. University College Cork.
• "Annals of Ulster." CELT Project. University College Cork.
• "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.
• "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

Notes

1. The words Comán and Camán (for hurley) are linguistically different, none of the Commane variants start with Cam, sources that claim the name is linked to Hurley - or that Cam meaning "bent" is the meaning of Comán - are incorrect mistranslations.
2. "Commán" a once locally revered chief, anglicised to Commane
3. also called Cahercommaun and Cathair Chomáin, bare in mind that irish spellings and names are known by a multiplicity of names

References

1. MacLysaght, Edward (1985). The Surnames of Ireland. Irish Academic Press. pp. 52-53. ISBN 0716523663. (O) Commane, Commons 'Ó Comáin' (in Munster) and 'Ó Cuimín' (in Connacht). Usually called Commons in Co. Wexford and Cummins in Co. Cork. 'Ó Comáin' has become Hurley in some parts of Cos. Clare and Cork, due to the mistaken belief that it describes from 'camán', a hurley. Woulfe says it is from 'cam', crooked, which is equally unacceptable Comyn The name of a Norman-Irish family which is also used in Co. Clare as the anglicized form of Ó Cuimín, see previous entry
2. ^ MacLysaght, Edward (1 December 1988). The Surnames of Ireland: 6th Edition. Irish Academic Press. ISBN 978-1-911024-64-4. mistaken belief that comán derives from camán a hurley
3. MacLysaght, Edward (1985). Irish Families: Their Names, Arms, and Origins. Irish Academic Press. p. 67. ISBN 978-0-7165-2364-2.
4. "According to historian Edel Bhreathnach, translated as the Fort of Commáin". www.mooregroup.ie. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
5. ^ Gibson, D. Blair, ed. (2012), "Of Settlements and Boundaries:: Reconstructing the Chiefdom of Tulach Commáin", From Chiefdom to State in Early Ireland, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 139–165, doi:10.1017/CBO9781139059022.008, ISBN 978-1-107-01563-0, retrieved 7 January 2025
6. "The Burren: Cahercommane Triple Fort". www.clarelibrary.ie. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
7. Gibson, D. Blair (27 August 2012). From Chiefdom to State in Early Ireland. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-107-01563-0.
8. ^ Gibson, David Blair Ph.D. (1990). Tulach Commain: A view of an Irish chiefdom. University of California. p. 242.
9. "Coman meaning Noble Family History & Historical Records". MyHeritage. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
10. ^ Gibson, David Blair (1990). Tulach Commain: A view of an Irish chiefdom (PhD Dissertation). University of California. p. 392. Célechair mac Commáin was of the Eóganacht Uí Cormaic.
11. Gibson, D. Blair (27 August 2012). From Chiefdom to State in Early Ireland. Cambridge University Press. pp. 139–140. ISBN 978-1-107-01563-0.
12. Arnold, Bettina; Gibson, D. Blair (1995). Celtic Chiefdom, Celtic State. Cambridge University Press. p. 144. ISBN 978-0-521-58579-8.
13. "Tulach Commain: A view of an Irish chiefdom - ProQuest". www.proquest.com. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
14. ^ "Tulach Commain: A view of an Irish chiefdom - ProQuest". www.proquest.com. p. 370-372. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
15. Frost, James (1893). The History and Topography of the County of Clare: From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the 18th Century. author.
16. O'Daly. "Leadership and Virtue: The Fían as a Model of Elite Conduct in Early Medieval Ireland" (PDF). Queen's University Belfast. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
17. "The Death of Mac Con - Translation [text]". www.ucd.ie. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
18. "Commán macua Theimhne - Temenrige". CELT - Corpus of Electronic Texts. University College Cork. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
19. ^ MacLysaght, Edward (1985). The Surnames of Ireland. Irish Academic Press. pp. 32-33. ISBN 0716523663.
20. ^ Woulfe, Patrick (1923). Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames. M.H. Gill & Son.
21. O'Hart, John (1881). Irish Pedigrees: Or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation. M.H. Gill & Son. pp. 209–210. Discusses the genealogy of the O'Comáin family and their historic roots in Munster and Connacht.
22. ^ Douglas, David C.; Greenaway, George W. (1996). English Historical Documents 1042-1189. Routledge. pp. 215–217. ISBN 9780415143660. Provides details about Norman nobles, including Robert de Comines, who settled in Scotland and England after the Norman Conquest.
23. Barrow, G. W. S. (2005). Robert Bruce and the Community of the Realm of Scotland. Edinburgh University Press. pp. 50–55. ISBN 9780748620227. Explains the historical prominence of the Comyn family in Scotland during the Wars of Independence.
24. Byrne, Francis John (2001). Irish Kings and High-Kings. Four Courts Press. pp. 88–90. ISBN 9781851821969. Explores the Eóganacht dynasty, their royal connections, and naming conventions in Gaelic Ireland.
25. O'Laughlin, Michael C. (1994). Families of Co. Kerry, Ireland. Irish Roots Cafe. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-940134-36-2.

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