Ó vs Mac/Mc: What Irish Name Prefixes Really Mean (Most People Get This Wrong)

Описание: Decode Irish surnames in minutes. If you’ve ever wondered what Ó / O’ and Mac / Mc actually mean, this video breaks down the real history behind Irish name prefixes—and the common mistakes nearly everyone repeats. You’ll learn the difference between “son of” and “descendant of,” why Mac becomes Mc, how Ó turned into O’, and why some Irish families dropped or later reclaimed these prefixes through anglicization and identity shifts. By the end, you’ll be able to “read” Irish last names like a code—and spot myths instantly.

In this video you’ll learn:

What Mac and Mc really mean (and why they’re often the same)

What Ó / O’ actually means (and what the apostrophe is doing there)

The #1 misunderstanding people make about Irish name prefixes

Why prefixes disappeared in records—and why some families brought them back

A quick surname “quiz” so you can test yourself

👍If you enjoy Irish history, genealogy, and surname meanings, hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on notifications—more Irish name mysteries are coming next.

Irish surname meanings, Irish name prefixes, O’ meaning, Ó meaning, Mac meaning, Mc meaning, Irish genealogy, Irish ancestry, Irish last names, Gaelic surnames, Irish clan names, Irish naming tradition, surname origins, Celtic history, Irish family names, Irish history documentary, genealogy basics, Irish records, anglicized surnames, Irish diaspora

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