An analyis of the Cassidy Family Name By Jim Pogge

        I have found the information on the Cassidy name extremely interesting, as it lists all acceptable connections or mentions of Cassidy's or Cassidy variations in historical texts.  I have found some information in the etymology of the word, specifically how it is used in language. 

        It is important to note that a trap should be avoided in using a word connection after that word has been translated into English, an Irish word may have a meaning in English but it does not necessarily follow that the translated english meaning can continue in other uses.  Specifically the use of the Irish "Caisideach" or "Caisideagh" to mean complaint.  Here it refers to an ailment or "stomach complaint" the trap would be to extend that to another meaning of complaint in English which is to complain about an issue.

        The question I have is which came first the doctor or the disease.  Cassidys were notable and undeniably known as healers. Lady Wildes book on Irish customs, superstitions and cures printed in the 1800's, includes a reference to curing an animal specifically a cow with the tying of a garment worn by a Cassidy on the cows head.  It also claims that feeding the animal water in which a garment worn by a Cassidy has been soaked will ease the animal as well.  The specific symptoms noted would lead the reader to suggest the animal was collicky or had a twisted digetstive tract.

        Here it would be interesting to note that in Scots-Gaelic "Casideagh" means stomach complaint.  Other common derivatives include "Casadh" in both Irish and Scots Gaelic meaning to twist or turn.   It is easily refernced in any book on Piping both highland and Uillean and a type of musical ornamentation involving a quick twisting rather then bending of a note.  A "Casadh" is an elaborate roll and can be recognized on any traditional tune recording as being the in-between beat bending of a note that many think is classic Irish sound.

        "Casadh" has also been used meaning twist in reference to curly hair.  My mothers maiden name was Cassidy my grand parents were born in Ireland, and I myself have, as do all of my relatives who carry our Cassidy line traits have dark red brown curly hair. My family who spoke Irish always said that Cassidy came from "Casadh" meaning twist and either "Dunn" meaning brown, or "Dubh" meaning Dark or black. 

        I confess I have found absolutely no evidence to this.  I no more expect to find evidence that our common ancestor was referered to by the MacGuire chiftains as Curly, any more than I expect there to be two others in the court named Larry and Moe.  My conclusions and I list them here with the caveat that I am not a recognized scholar on the subject and I have not concluded my search for the key to the origin of the name... is as follows:

        In Irish, names were used as identifying lineage of parent hood typically simply.  Sean Mac Brien was John son of Brian. A sister named Mary would be Maire Nic Brien which means daughter of. Their father Brien if his fathers name was Seamus would be Brien Mac Seamus etc. 

        The common 'O' comes from the Irish "Ui" and "Ni" meaning male decendent of and female decendent of respectively.  Even cheiftains did not typically have titiles or positions in their names. Usually the "O" was only used if there was an ancestor of particular note or importance.  During the Penal Laws and English acsendancy many Irish took on noble names in an attemp to claim relationship to nobility and thus receive land owner rights, under the norman system.  Thus the enormous number of O' Connors, O' Neils and O, Briens, each a noteworthy and recognizable high King.

        We as Cassidys should count ourselves as lucky because we can trace our ancestry back without the stigma of a name assumed during the 1600's purely for political reasons.  The extrordinary numbers who claim decendancy to O Neill is more a testament to the original kings fame rather than that of his sexual potentcy.  In rare cases in celtic society physical characteristics were used to name an individual or start a family name.  I say it is rare because prior to the Norman Invasion in the 1100's there is little evidence of surnames used in Celtic society in both Ireland and Scotland.  One exception is the scottish King , and common name Canmore, from the Gaelic "Caen" meaning head and "Mor" meaning big or large.

        Historians noted that the scottish pretender had an unusually large head.  He was actually related to the Stewart line including Mary Quenn of Scots and James I.  The Irish name Sullivan is another example "Suhl" meaning eye and "Ubhan" a word associated with hawk, therefore "Hawkeyed."  I use these facts to pose the following question about the origin of the name Cassidy. Which came first the doctor or the disease, Casadh refers to twist or turn, an animal with a twisted stomach or colon has a "Caisideagh," "Casideach" means ailment of complaint refering to stomach trouble and not a disease or sickness. 

        Similar to a twisted stomach, and the Cassidys were noted healers and judges.  Would this be because the original was particularly good at untwisting, stomachs and situations, as a judge untangles the truth so to speak.  It would not be uncommon for such a notable, to be named for a particular talent, as a Bard or Poet. Bard was a position before it became a name.   Many in my family carry on the traditions, we have doctors, scientists, lawyers, judges, ect.  All are careers which require a curious mind and a drive to understand how things work, puzzles and solving them so to speak, interestingly we all detangle, truth, ailments nature and the like. 

        I would be interested in any information concerning this.  An Chara Jim Pogge jpogge@atl.mediaone.net