More Laois & Offaly Surnames
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Odlum
Adlum the older form of this name has been recorded in relatively recent times in Co. Offaly. This, as Adelem (later Adlam), is recorded in England since the twelfth century: Derived from the Old-German adelelm (noble protector). As Odlum it appeared in Ireland in the seventeenth century: Thomas Odlum was one of 29 soldiers disbanded from Ormond's own troop in 166l The family settled in Co. Offaly and there are many Odlum wills listed from 1735, the testators up to 1800 being variously described as "farmer" and "gent" and all of that county. Three Odlums were in the Earl of Charleville's rental of 1763. Later they were found also in Co. Leix, but Griffith's Valuation of the 1850's and modern voters' lists show that they are definitely of Co. Offaly ever since they first came to Ireland. The name is very well known in the flour milling industry.
Parsons
The Parsons family has been of importance in Offaly since the end of the sixteenth century when the brother of the celebrated Sir William Parsons settled at Birr. The name of that thriving town was changed to Parsonstown: the old name, however, was restored some fifty years age. The head of the family is the Earl of Rosse who is resident at Birr Castle. Sir William Parsons (c. 1570-1650), Surveyor General of Ireland, was one of the most active and efficient of English officials in Ireland. His nephew, Sir Lawrence Parsons (c. 1630-1698), born at Birr, took an active part against James II. More recent members of the family have been distinguished for their work in the spheres of science and agriculture. Especially noteworthy was Sir William Parsons (1800-1867), 3rd Earl of Rosse, whose observations by means of the great telescope he installed at Birr Castle are of lasting importance. His father, Sir Lawrence Parsons, the 2nd Earl, was one of the prominent opponents of the Union in Grattan's Parliament. The name Parsons, which is very common in England, is now found in small numbers in several widely separated parts of Ireland, presumably as the result of comparatively recent commercial immigration from England. Some Irish families called Parsons may be of Gaelic origin. In the Tudor Fiants we frequently meet MacEparson, MacParson etc. In Scotland the name became MacPherson.
Poland
Polan Polin and MacPolin are found today almost exclusively in counties Armagh and Down, and MacPolin is in the 1664-5 list of Co. Armagh householders. Poland on the other hand is essentially an Offaly name. It can be accepted that derivation of Polin and MacPolin is from Paulin, a diminutive of Paul. Monsignor MacPolin of the Maynooth Mission to China was prefect-apostolic in Korea during the second World War.
Swords
Today there are a number of families called Swords in Dublin. The name has, Usually no connection with the Co. Dublin village of Swords. It derives from two distinct Gaelic-Irish surnames which belong to the counties of Offaly and Leix: in Offaly it is numerous today, as it is in the neighbouring county of Kildare, as is Clavin. Clavin is Ó Claimhín in Irish, was sometimes anglicized Swords by mistake assuming that the root word is claidheamh (a sword). The other derivation is from Ó Suaird, which in a Fiant of 1562 is anglicized O'Sword. Two others of around the same time have O'Swerte: The three relate to the Leix-Offaly area. Since 1016, maybe before the era of fixed hereditary surnames, Ó Suairt is mentioned by the Four Masters as the name of the then successor of St. Brigid, the Abbess of Kildare. The names Swords, Swoordes and Sourdes all appear in the Ulster inquisition of the first half of the seventeenth century. These two names also relate to their midland homeland; they are evidently known in Co. Mayo, for list of synonyms by local registrars includes Claveen and Swords at Ballinrobe. In the fourteenth century, the surname de Swerdes (derived from the village) was recorded in many places in Ireland; and in the Ulster inquisitions of the first half of the seventeenth century Swords, Swoordes and Sourdes is found in Co. Down.
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