Re: Keane, O'Cahan, MacDonall
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In reply to:
Re: Keane, O'Cahan, MacDonall
7/19/99
Eammon:THe earliest date I found for the Knocknagoshel KEANE line was about 1780 as I recall. Not sure about the Blasket Island group. There was a settlement (more likely a transportation) from Ulster to Co. Clare about 1520, which I descend from. It is of course possible that the Kerry families are early offshoots of that Clare line as well, but proof seems lacking.As for the majority of the Galway families of KEANE, they are believed to be of the Hy-Fiachra tribe, an entirely separate group.The name today, regardless of origin and in the absence of a genealogy or strong tradition, is often Gaelicized as O'CATHAIN though some are certainly O'CEINs.
Len Keane