Surname Clan Colla - Meaning and Origin
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Clan Colla: What does the surname Clan Colla mean?
The last name Clan Colla is of Irish origin and can be found in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It is a name that comes from a legendary Irish warrior tribe who once lived in the regions of Leinster, Connaught and Ulster during the later Iron Age and early Medieval period.
The name Clan Colla is made up of two distinct words, 'coll' and 'a'. Coll translates to 'valor' or 'bravery' and 'a' translates to 'descendant'. It has been suggested that this name indicates a person of strong character and heroic qualities, showing that Clan Colla members were seen as brave and courageous fighters.
Clan Colla is closely associated with a long line of Irish kings and was said to be descended from Niall of the Nine Hostages, one of Ireland's early rulers. The Clan Colla became the main force behind the kingdom of Uí Néill, which was one of the most powerful in ancient Ireland.
Clan Colla was renowned for its fierce determination in defending its people and its territory. They united many of the disparate kingdom and chieftainships of ancient Irish kingdoms to unite against their common enemy. Whether true or not, they are remembered as brave warriors who fought for the cause of freedom and the sovereignty of their people.
Today the Clan Colla symbol is still worn proudly on many Irish families' coats of arms. It is a reminder of the heroic deeds of a proud people who, despite all odds, still stood to fight for what they believed in.
Order DNA origin analysisClan Colla: Where does the name Clan Colla come from?
The Clan Colla is a Scottish clan whose ancestral homeland is located in County Fermanagh, Ulster. It is one of the 17 Clan Septs of the O'Neil Clan of Ulster and therefore a sept of the larger O'Neill family. The Clan Colla were prominent in the 10th century, but had already begun to decline by the 12th century. Today, members of Clan Colla are found mainly in Scotland, Ireland, Australia, and the United States.
In Scotland, Clan Colla is mainly associated with Fife, Perthshire, and Aberdeenshire. Perthshire is where most Clan Colla members are found, and where many of them still reside. Clan Colla is also present in Ayrshire, Angus, and Argyll. In Ireland, Clan Colla is associated with Ulster and specifically, County Fermanagh.
In Australia, Clan Colla is especially visible in the state of New South Wales, particularly around Narrabri and Gulgong. In the United States, Clan Colla members are found in large numbers on the east and west coasts, as well as in the Midwest. The city of Philadelphia has the second-largest concentration of Clan Colla in the United States.
Despite its varied dispersal, Clan Colla is still an active part of the Scottish and Irish cultures, and remains a recognizable name among those who recognize clan septs. Those who are proud of their Clan Colla heritage often have a deep connection to their lineage and the Clan itself. They are proud to wear kilts and tartans that signify their ancestry, and display the Colla coat of arms proudly.
Variations of the surname Clan Colla
The surname Clan Colla is derived from a Scottish clan, an old Gaelic tribe. The most common variants for this surname are Colla, Collas, McColla, Macolla, MacColla, Cola, McCool, MacCoil, MacColl, McCall and McColl.
The spelling of the surname may also vary slightly depending on a family's location. In Scotland, the surname may be seen more commonly spelled as Coll and in Ireland as McColl. It is also possible to see a spelling of McColla.
The Scottish Clan Colla migration to Ireland began in the 5th century with the sons of Eoghanacht Chaisil. It is likely that the various surnames found today represent different lines of the Clan that moved to different parts of the country. Many of the surnames also have alternate spellings when they are not part of the Clan.
Variations with additional letter combinations may also be seen with the Clan Colla surname, such as Call, Croll, Coall and McCool. Additional surnames which have the same origin include McFall, McElroy, McKulla, McQuillan, and O'Colla.
It is possible that the origin of the Clan Colla surname could even pre-date the 5th century migration, as it is thought to have originated with the Celtic-speaking people in Scotland during the Bronze Age. It is also possible that members of the Clan Colla could have migrated to other countries over time, furthering the spread of the surname. Ultimately, current Clan Colla members may be found all over the world.
Famous people with the name Clan Colla
- Guy de La Roche (Early 12th century), a soldier of the Clan Colla.
- Domhnall Ua Néill (Early 14th century), a King of Tír Chonaill and member of the Clan Colla.
- Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair (Rory O'Connor) (died 1186), a High King of Ireland, who belonged to the Clan Colla.
- Tadgh mac Aedh Ua Conchobair (14th: 15th centuries), proclaimed as the King of Connacht in 1416 and a member of the Clan Colla.
- Brian O'Carroll (18th century), an Irish politician and a member of the Clan Colla.
- Arthur Guinness (18th: 19th century), an Irish brewer and distiller, who was a descendant of the Clan Colla.
- Finchi O'Carroll (17th: 18th centuries), an Irish nobleman, noted as the ancestor of the O'Carrolls of Munster and belonged to the Clan Colla.
- Micheál Ó Cléirigh (17th century), an Irish scribe, philosopher and historian, who was a member of the Clan Colla.
- Gallagher Ó Cellaigh (19th: 20th centuries), an Irish writer and dramatist from the Clan Colla.
- Shane O'Carroll (19th century), an American politician from the Clan Colla.