Friel — Keepers of the Crozier

Friel comes from Ó Frighil, a family who served for generations as erenaghs — hereditary stewards of church land — at Kilmacrenan in County Donegal. Their most solemn duty was custody of a crozier associated with St Colmcille, said to be carried at O'Donnell inaugurations.

A name whose inheritance wasn't land or a title but a single sacred object, kept safe by the same family for centuries.

Irish form: Ó Frighil