O'Dea - Irish Surname Origin & Meaning
Irish form: Ó Deá
Meaning: descendant of Deaghadh
Traditional stronghold: Clare
Pronunciation: oh-DAY (also oh-DEE); Irish Ó Deá: oh DYAW
History of the O'Dea name
The O'Deas, Ó Deá, were a Dalcassian sept whose homeland was Dysert O'Dea in the barony of Inchiquin, County Clare, where their castle and the famous high cross still stand. Their great moment came in 1318 at the Battle of Dysert O'Dea, when Conor O'Dea and his allies routed the Anglo-Norman force of Richard de Clare, a victory that kept Thomond in Gaelic hands for two more centuries. Cornelius O'Dea, Bishop of Limerick, left the exquisite O'Dea mitre and crozier of 1418, treasures of medieval Irish craftsmanship. The name remains strongly tied to Clare and Limerick, sometimes shortened to Dee or rendered O'Day abroad.
Variants: O'Day · Dea · Dee · Day
Famous bearers of the name
- Jimmy O'Dea - Beloved Dublin comedian and pantomime star, famous as Biddy Mulligan.
- Willie O'Dea - Long-serving Limerick TD and former Minister for Defence.
- Cornelius O'Dea - Medieval Bishop of Limerick whose 1418 mitre and crozier survive.
Related names from the same part of Ireland: O'Brien · Kennedy · Quinn · McDonnell · McMahon · Boland · Keane · Hogan