Recorded occasionally as Lamasma, Lomasna, and Loomasna, usually as Lomasny and Lomasney and very rarely indeed as O' Lomasney, this is one of those unusual surnames which used to appear to some people to be French, but is pure Gaelic Irish. It originates from the pre 10th century O' Lomasna meaning 'bare rib', although why anybody should be called 'The male descendant of 'Bare Rib' as at best uncertain. What can be said with some certainty is that the majority of Irish surnames did originate as nicknames for the original chief of the clan, and some of these names can only be described as 'robust'. For instance the famous name Kennedy means 'ugly head,' whilst Farrisey means 'action man', and Shanley translates as 'Old hero.' According to the famous etymologist the late Edward MacLysaght, the clan is most associated with County Tipperary, although we have considerable doubts about this as the International Genealogical Index gives all recordings as being from Counties Cork and Kerry. These recordings include Catherine Lomasney at Castle Island, County Kerry, on March 8th 1859, and David Lomasny at Fermoy, County Cork, on May 29th 1864.

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