King

Background:  Usually an English name; but it is also widely used as an anglicized form of several names by pseudo-translation (ri-king); viz. Contry, Conroy, Cunree in Connacht, MacAree and MacKeary in Oriel, and even sometimes of GIlroy and MacKinn. There is also a rare name O Cionga, now King, which belongs to Lough Ree.

Some of the most famous Irishmen named King have been of Anglo-Irish stock, notably Archbishop William King (1650-1729), a vigorous Protestant: he was an ornament to the nation by reason of his encouragement of the Irish language in Dublin University, his collection of manuscripts, and his support of Swift, e.g. in his campaign against "Wood's halfpence". Another Protestant, Rev. Robert King (1815-1900) was a distinguished Irish language scholar. He was from County Cork, as were the Kings (Earls of Kingston) who were prominent members of the Anglo-Irish ascendancy. On the other hand Rev. Paul King (d. 1665) was a noted Irish Franciscan. For King as the anglicized form of several Gaelic patronymics, see sub Conroy supra.

Name Variations:  King, Contry, Conroy, Cunree, Connacht, MacAree, MacKeary, Gilroy, MacKinn.

References:
One or more of the following publications has been referenced for this article.
The General Armory; Sir Bernard Burke - 1842.
A Handbook of Mottoes; C.N. Elvin - 1860.
Irish Families, Their Names, Arms & Origins; Edward MacLysaght - 1957.
The Surnames of Ireland; Edward MacLynsaght - 1957.
The Book of Irish Families Great and Small.

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