Dowd
Dowd is a common surname in Ireland once, but which is now become rare. The formerly wealthy clan owns a small farm near Dublin, which is inherited for generations nowadays. The Dowds are descendants of O'Dowds (also: O'Dowda, Irish: Ó Dubhda ).
Early history
The name goes back to Niall Noigíallach, a High King of Ireland ( died around 450-455 ). According to legend, he has St. Patrick kidnapped as a child to Ireland. His brother Fiachra was a follower of Daithi, the last pagan king of Ireland, 455 lightning killed when he led an army to the foot of the Alps. His grandson Aillil became king of Connacht and later King of Tara (up to 482 ). His family led for centuries the northern Uí - Fiachrach strains. In the 10th century Aedh Ua Dubhda was king. His nickname, who later became one of Europe's oldest family name was, he received because of his dark complexion, in Ireland was very rare at that time. He died in 982, his grandson Mulrony inherited the title Lord of Hyfiachrach. He died in 1005. O'Dowds The were a powerful force, both by sea and land, and made the ambitions of the Burkes and Birminghams resistance.
As an Anglo-Norman invaders came at the beginning of the 14th century to Ireland, they were repelled under the leadership of Sen - Bhrian O'Dowd 1354. The O'Dowds have a manuscript, known as the Great Book of Lecan written, preserved in Dublin. 1599 was awarded the O'Dowds land in Ulster by the Earl of Essex. Numerous battles made the O'Dowds hard and the clan dispersed, but still gather every three years O'Dowds in Mayo.
Notable people with the name Dowd
- Cathy O'Dowd, a mountaineer from South Africa, ascended as the first woman to climb Mount Everest on both the South and on the northern route
- Charles F. Dowd, teacher, and later director, proposed the introduction of time zones
- Clement Dowd (1832-1898), American politician
- Doug Dowd, political economist
- George O'Dowd, better known as Boy George, singer and DJ
- Jim Dowd ( politician), Member of Parliament for Lewisham West Arbeiterpertei
- Jim Dowd ( born 1968 ), American ice hockey player
- Jeff Dowd, American film producer
- Johnny Dowd, American country musician
- John H. Dowd, American Marketer
- John M. Dowd, American lawyer
- John Dowd ( Motocross ), motocross riders
- Larry Dowd (1940-2006), American rockabilly musician
- Maureen Dowd, journalist
- Michael Dowd, a peace activist
- Nancy Dowd ( born 1945 ), American screenwriter
- Phil Dowd, football referee
- Robert Dowd (* 1988), British ice hockey player
- Siobhan Dowd (1960-2007), Irish- British writer
- Thomas Dowd (born 1970 ), Canadian priest, Auxiliary Bishop of Montréal
- Tom Dowd (1925-2002), American music producer
Bearer of the name Dowd, O'Dowd, O'Dowda, Duddy, O'Duddy, O'Dubhda and related surnames of O'Dubhda clans are found in Canada, the U.S., Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Greece.