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NEARY Family History

Recorded in many spelling forms including O'Neary, Neary, Nairy, Narrie, Naree, Nary, Narry, Nerrie, Norry, and Norrie, this is an Irish surname. It is only rarely, if ever, found with the Gaelic O' prefix which it seems to have lost in the 17th century. Like most Irish surnames it originates from a description of the first chief of the clan, one whose name was "Naraigh" meaning modest. That in itself is unusual for an Irish surname. The majority relate either to the a follower of a particular early saint, or to a nickname, or to a description of the chief's prowess as a warrior.