From Mac Fhlannchaidh, built on flann, ‘reddish’ or ‘ruddy’ — hereditary brehons to the O'Briens in Clare, with a separate sept seated in Leitrim.
The Clancy certificate.
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Gaelic Origin · County Clare and County Leitrim
Clancy anglicises Mac Fhlannchaidh, built on flann, ‘reddish’ or ‘ruddy’ — the second element's exact sense isn't settled in the record. The more prominent MacClancy sept, a branch of the MacNamaras in north Clare, served as hereditary brehons, or judges, to the O'Briens, and gave their name to Cahermacclancy. A separate, unrelated MacClancy sept held Dartry in County Leitrim as chiefs of Rosclogher.
Two septs, two counties, one shared trade — judgement — running through the Clare branch's centuries as the O'Briens' own hereditary lawyers.
Irish form: Mac Fhlannchaidh
