Laigin
The Laigin · a people name, often linked to láigen, a broad headed spear
Laigin, in English The Laigin, said LY-in. A people.
The southeast. The people who gave Leinster its name, and whose last king invited the Normans in.
The name
a people name, often linked to láigen, a broad headed spear
Where
The southeast. At its height into the midlands, later squeezed back toward Wexford, Carlow and the Wicklow hills.
In today's counties: Wexford (Loch Garman), Carlow (Ceatharlach), Wicklow (Cill Mhantáin), Kildare (Cill Dara), Dublin (Baile Átha Cliath).
When it mattered
Kings of Leinster from before the record begins until 1171.
The Laigin held far more at the start than they ended with. The Uí Néill took the midlands off them over several centuries, and the Vikings took the harbours, founding Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow as towns on Laigin coast.
The ruling families by the later period were the Uí Chennselaig of the south and the Uí Dúnlainge of the Liffey plain, and from them come the names of the southeast.
Diarmait Mac Murchada was king of Leinster when he was driven out in 1166. He went to Henry II for help and came back with Norman knights, and what he intended as a way to get his kingdom back turned into the English presence in Ireland. He got Leinster. Nobody else got what they expected.
What is left of the name
Leinster, Cúige Laighean. The province still carries their name even though the province is much bigger than they ever were.
Names out of it
Families on this site that belong to The Laigin. A surname is not a pedigree, and plenty of people carry these names for reasons that have nothing to do with the old kingdom.
- Kavanagh (Caomhánach)
- Byrne (Ó Broin)
- O’Toole (Ó Tuathail)
- Nolan (Ó Nualláin)
- Cullen (Ó Cuilinn)
- Doyle (Ó Dubhghaill)