Ó Maolconaire

Ó Maolchonaire, sometimes Ó Maoil Chonaire, sometimes Ó Mhaoil Chonaire, Ó Maolconaire, Uí Mhaoil Chonaire etc., was the surname of a family of professional poets and historians in medieval Ireland. Traditionally it would have been spelled without the 'h', but with a dot over the 'c', either of which indicates aspiration. In a period prior to the surrender of the Ó Conchubhair Donn and the other Connacht chieftains, it was anglicised O'Mulconry. Specific families, particularly the educators, were systematically targeted as part of the plot to destroy the Irish culture and language, as well as the Catholic religion. This can add great confusion to researchers of this important literary and religious family. It is now rendered most commonly Conry, sometimes Conroy, and possibly sometimes King. There are many distinct groups of Conroys, some of whom also, though less commonly, use Conry, which are Anglicisations of disparate Irish Gaelic names.