The Heffernan Family

John Rooney

A Genealogical History of Irish Families

1895

(Crest No. 91. Plate 11.)

THE Heffernan family is descended from Milesius, King of Spain, through the line of his son Heber. The founder of the family was Cormac Cas, son of Olliol Ollum, King of Munster, A. D. 177, and Sabia, daughter of Con Kead Caha, or Con of the Hundred Battles, King of Ireland, A. D. 148. The ancient name was Ifrionnech, which signifies “Wicked,” and was taken from Ifearnan, a chieftain of the clan. The head of the sept was Chief of Owney Hiffernan, in the territory of Uaithne-Cliach, now the barony of Owney, in the northeast of the County Limerick, and Ara, in the County of Tipperary. These O’Heffernans were a branch of the O’Heffernans of Clare.

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