These Irish name elements are associated with this record in the Logainm glossary.
An element’s translation is a clue, rather than a complete explanation of the name. Its form and meaning depend on local history and the full Irish name.
Recorded forms
Uíbh Fhailí· Irish · main form · validated name
Offaly· English · main form
Place & story
Use the historical county name
Lewis files the county as King’s County in 1837 and places the Shannon along parts of its western edge. Older archives and indexes can retain that county label even when a modern search uses Offaly. The names should be linked with their dates rather than treated as separate places. His discussion of Offallia and earlier territories also extends beyond later county bounds, so an old regional reference is not automatically a precise modern county address. A barony, civil parish and townland should remain attached to a dated property reference, because each narrows the location at a different scale.[2]
Changing administrative centres
The Tullamore entry records the transfer of assizes and county business from Philipstown in 1833, alongside growth connected with the Grand Canal. These institutional and transport changes explain why records from different periods may be centred in different towns. A county office’s later location does not prove that earlier business was always conducted there. Preserve Philipstown, Tullamore and other historical settlement forms exactly when an original document supplies them.[3]
Birr and Parsonstown beyond the town
Offaly Archives links Birr with Parsonstown and records a Poor Law Union extending into Tipperary. A union record therefore does not prove residence in Birr town or King’s County. Preserve its townland and electoral division, then compare the original home locality with the institution where the document was created.[4]
Figures cover the whole county including its cities. CSO recommends this series for long-term comparison, although minor boundary changes have occurred.
View population figures
County Offaly, including its cities — census population
placenames