Surname Lysaght - Meaning and Origin
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Lysaght: What does the surname Lysaght mean?
The last name Lysaght is an anglicized version of the Irish Gaelic name Ó Laoitheacháin. It is derived from the Old Irish ‘Ó Laoiteacháin’, which means “descendant of Laoithech”. The prefix ‘Ó’ is derived from the Irish ‘uí’ meaning ‘grandson’ and Naoiteach, a personal name meaning a ‘defender of the people’. The surname originally stemmed from County Longford in Ireland, where the Lysaght family were known as Lords of Ferran and Cuchulainn, the legendary ancient warrior bearing the name Cú Chulainn. The most famous bearer of the Lysaght surname was a nineteenth century Gerald Laigneaux, who served in the Irish Brigade during the revolutionary wars in France. In this role, he fought bravely and at one point was captured but escaped to continue to fight in Major General O’Hegnery’s troops.
The Lysaght name is now found all over Ireland and across the world. Although the Lysaght name is a derivative of an Irish heritage, many people with the surname have adopted different cultures and countries as their own, and each have found success in their new home. With a proud history of strong, capable individuals, the Lysaght name evokes strength and perseverance, no matter where in the world the family may be.
Order DNA origin analysisLysaght: Where does the name Lysaght come from?
The last name Lysaght is most commonly associated with Ireland and the United Kingdom today. It is believed that the surname is a derivation from the Old Irish Gaelic O'Liosaicht, which is translated as 'descendant of Liosach'.
In Ireland, the Lysaght families are primarily located in County Mayo around the age-old castle of Knockmor in the province of Connacht. This castle was once the stronghold of the Lysaght family and it is said that they held considerable power in the region until the early twentieth century.
In the United Kingdom, the surname is primarily found in England and Scotland. They are concentrated in East Anglia and the regions of Kent and London in England, and in the more rural regions of Scotland like Grampian and the Borders. There are also quite a few recorded examples of Lysaght families in the far north regions of the country, near the cities of Inverness and Aberdeen.
Overall, the Lysaght surname is more widespread in Ireland and the United Kingdom than anywhere else in the world, and is most likely to be found in these regions. It is also relatively common in the United States, where it is believed that a number of people with Irish ancestry took the surname upon settling there in the nineteenth century.
Variations of the surname Lysaght
The surname Lysaght has a variety of variants, spellings and surnames which have evolved over time and all ultimately derive from the same origin.
The most common variant spelling of the surname Lysaght is Lysaught. This spelling is popular among those in the United States. Other variant spellings of Lysaght include Lisyaght, Lisyete, Leysaught and Lesaght.
The surnames O'Ligh, O'Laidig and Ó Laoidigh all have their origins in the surname Lysaght. O'Ligh was derived from the Irish form of the surname and is known to have been collected in County Cork in 1801 and 1826. O'Laidig is an anglicized version of the O'Ligh surname.
Other surnames of Irish origin which share the same roots as Lysaght include Laughton, Lawton, and Loughlin.
In Germany, the surname was commonly spelled as Lissaght, while in Scotland the spelling Leishght had also been encountered.
Other related spellings of surnames are also considered variants of the original surname Lysaght, such as Lissack, Lisac, Leish, Leishman, and Lishman.
Famous people with the name Lysaght
- William Lysaght: Better known by his pseudonym Patog, he was a literary scholar and an important figure in the Gaelic Revival movement in Ireland during the 19th century.
- Dorothy Lysaght: a British author and a prominent figure in the field of folklore studies.
- John Lysaght: the British proprietor of the vast Lysaght & Co steel company, which operated in multiple countries in Europe, and also in India.
- Shannon Lysaght: Recently awarded an MBE, she is a Scottish social entrepreneur and CEO of the Stirling-based charity Collective Insight.
- Melissa Lysaght: an American politician from Pennsylvania, where she is a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
- Liam Lysaght: an Irish researcher and author who has worked extensively on the ecology of the Grey Heron.
- Donie Lysaght: an Irish poet and playwright, who was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 2003 for his play, “The Sidhe”.
- Nicholas Lysaght: Lord Gormanston, an Irish peer and honorary colonel of the Royal Irish Army, who served as a Member of Parliament for the county of Meath from 1741 to 1752.
- Jack Lysaght: father of Hazel, Noel and Gloria, he is a prominent advocate for the protection of the natural environment in Ireland.
- Hazel Lysaght: a British businesswoman and a successful entrepreneur, who has been recognised for her leadership and her success in the tech industry.