Surnames taken from natural objects

Robert E. Matheson
Special Report on Surnames in Ireland
1909
Chapter III | Start of chapter

3. Many Surnames are taken from natural objects in the Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral Kingdoms, such as:—

Celtic Names

Carrick,

(from carraicc—a rock).

Clough.

(from cloch—a stone).

Columb,

(from colum—a dove).

Cunneen,

(from coinin—a rabbit).

Darragh,

(from dair—an oak).

Mullally,

(from eala—a swan).

Quilty,

(from coillte—woods).

Sheedy,

(from sioda—silk).

English Names

Ashe.
Bird.
Buck.
Bull.
Chestnutt.
Clay.
Crowe.
Deer.
Dove.
Forrest.
Fox.
Hare.
Heron.
Hogg.
Lamb.
Moss.
Peacock.
Pidgeon.
Rabbit.
Silver.
Spratt.
Sturgeon.
Swan.
Veale.
Waters.
Woods.
Woulfe.