Bodkin Family
The Bodkins of Galway, and the Earls of Desmond and Kildare, were descended from the common ancestor, Maurice Fitzgerald, Lord of Windsor, and one of the first invaders of Ireland, under Strongbow. His son, Thomas FitzMaurice, acquired ample possessions in Munster, where his descendants became Earls of Desmond.

Browne Family
The Browne family arrived in Ireland in 1170 in Strongbow's time, and were soon established in Galway and Mayo. They leave several important seats such as Mounthazel, Moyne, Rockville, Breaffy and Castlemacgarret. They are also one of the Tribes of Galway, and are still well represented in these two counties.

D'Arcy Family
The d'Arcy family claim direct descent from a French family derived from Charlamagne, named for Castle d'Arcie near Paris. They travelled with William the Conqueror to England, and were appointed to positions in Ireland in the 14th century. Their seats were at Kiltullagh, Newforest, Gorteen and Houndswood. One of the Tribes of Galway, they are not to be confused with the Darcy families, who are of Gaelic origin.

Deane Family
The first of this name, that settled in Galway, is said to have been William Allen, or Den, who came hither from Bristol in the reign of Henry VI. and was afterwards elected Provost. Members of this family, were amongst the first Mayors and chief Magistrates of the Town.

Ffont Family
This family settled in Galway in the beginning of the fifteenth century, they sprung from an ancient English family of Leicestershire, and, are said, to have been established in Athenry, as early as the reign of King John. The name is now nearly extinct. Geoffry Ffont, who died near Galway, in 1814, aged 105 years, is supposed to have been the last survivor of the Galway branch of this family.

Ffrench Family
The French family, sometimes written ffrench in the old manner, are one of the most distinguished of the Tribes of Galway. The originally accompanied William the Conqueror to England, and were amongst the first wave of Anglo-Norman settlers in Ireland. They left fine seats at Castle French, Monivea, Frenchgrove, Rahasane and Tyrone in Galway; as well as several in Mayo & Roscommon as well. Very few of the family left now.

Joyce Family
The Joyce family were of English origin, arriving in Ireland in the reign of Edward I, going on they seize large tracts of land in the Barony of Ross; an area subsequently known as the Joyce Country. Another of the Tribes of Galway, they had seats in Mervue, Woodquay as well as parts of Mayo.

Kirwan Family
The Kirwan were the only family amongst the Tribes of Galway to establish an Irish origin, tracing a descent from the second son of Milesius, one of the original Gaels. They left many fine seats, including Cregg Castle, Castlehackett, Gardenfield, Glan and Woodfield.

Lynch Family
The Lynch family are so well known as to need little introduction as one of the Tribes of Galway. They arrived in Ireland with Hugh DeLacy, and were sufficiently well established to supply the majority of the Mayors of Galway during the 15, 16 and 17th centuries. Fine castles and seats remain in Shop street, Newcastle, Barna, Drimcong, Lydican, Moycullen, and Shannonbridge.

Martin Family
The Martin family arrived in Ireland with Strongbow, became important merchants and one of the Tribes of Galway. They subsequently moved into the County, leaving fine seats at Ballinahinch, Dangan, Ross, Spiddal and Tulira.

Morris Family
The Morris family have been involved in the affairs of Galway since 1485, and are one oof the Tribes of Galway by virtue of having supplied numerous Mayors & Sheriffs to the city. They had seats in Galway city and in Spiddal.

Skerritt Family
The Skerret family have been noted in the county since 1242, and were a well established member of the Tribes of Galway. They had seats at Ballinduff, Drungriffin, and Nutgrove, as well as properties in County Clare.
 

Other Famous Families of Galway City

O'Flaherty Family
The O'Flaherty get their name from a descendant of Murchada, Flaithbhertaig Mac Ermin (Flaherty, son of Evin), a Prince of Connaught. Flaithbhertaig was a popular name in Ireland in the 10th century a.d. Today it is translated into "bright leader."

Bermingham Family
The Bermingham family were of Anglo Norman origin, and were responsible for the early castles of Athenry and Dunmore. Their presence here long pre-dates the Galway Tribes, having accompanied deBurgo into Connacht.

Burke Family
The Burke families owe their origins to Richard deBurgo, the first Anglo-Norman conqueror of Connacht. He promptly set about erecting numerous castles in the county to protect the new possessions.

O'Connor Family
The O'Connors were amongst the foremost aristocracy of the old Gaelic order, and provided not just kings of Connacht, but also the last High-Kings of Ireland. The present O'Connor Don has one of the longest recorded pedigrees in Europe.