Bermingham is one of the great Norman names of Ireland — a family that crossed with the conquest and became powerful lords in the west of the country.
Where does the Bermingham surname come from?
Bermingham is of Norman origin, taken (in the form de Bermingham) from the English city now spelled Birmingham. The family came to Ireland with the Anglo-Norman invasion in the late twelfth century and established themselves above all in Connacht, becoming one of the leading Norman houses of the west.
The Berminghams of Athenry
The family’s senior line held the title of Baron of Athenry in County Galway — long regarded as one of the most ancient baronies of Ireland — and the Berminghams were also associated with Carbury on the Kildare–Offaly border. Like many Norman families, they put down deep roots and became, in the old phrase, “more Irish than the Irish themselves.”
Related Irish family names
If your roots run through Norman Connacht, you may also recognise Blake, Bodkin, and Barry.
The family crest and tartan artwork shown on our Bermingham products is decorative work inspired by Irish heraldic tradition, created to celebrate the name rather than as a statement of any individual’s right to arms.
Carry the Bermingham name with you
We craft heritage gifts for thousands of Irish and Scottish family names — mugs, woven blankets, ornaments and more. To find yours, type it into the search bar at the top of the page, or browse the Bermingham collection here.
