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I just received a note from a correspondent: I have just started to research my family tree (exciting but time consuming!) I am from a family of LEVINS from Clogherhead,Co Louth,Ireland (not a million miles away from Ulster) There are 4 main Levins families in the village who are all related,there are also families of Levins in Termonfechen, Baltray (close villages) and in the main town of Drogheda.Whilst at the primary school in Clogherhead all Levins children are called Donsleavy or Duinn Shl

I have always suspected that Dunsliebhe, Dunleavy and other variations may have been understood in ancient times to mean "brown hill or brown fortified hill or something like that so "Brown Lords of the mountain" is not too far removed from that understanding. Thank-you Andrew for passing on that message. Very helpfull for those of us struggling with the name Dunsliebhe as I am. Donald

That is fascinating. Rob spent a great deal of time on this.

Hi Niall Perhaps a number of researchers in the past have assumed that there is a brown in Dunsliebhe because the gaelic word for brown "donn" is actually pronounced dhoun or dun. The gaelic word "Dun" however is commonly understood to mean in english hill. I dont know about the other meaning for Dun that you mentioned. I was thinking that your ancestors might have been addressed as Tighearna by clan members recognizing them as Barons and their feudal superiors. Donald

Here's another take on it for what it's worth. I live in Co Down and the local translation I was first given for my name was also 'brown lord of the mountian'. Given that the Levins are in the neighbouring county of Louth it's not surprising we have a similar translation but to look at what Rob and Young Bachuil summise that 'Lord of the mountain' is more likely, I would disagree. The reasoning being that Donnsleibhe was also a common or given name among other clans or families as well, prior to the 10th/11th century when surnames started to evolve. The common name would most likely have been descriptive about personal characteristics like hair colour or complexion and hence brown is more likely. As the 'Lordship' comes later and the Donnsleibhe in this clan are now also the royal family it's not unreasonable to suggest the common translation becomes 'brown lord of the mountain' as opposed to attemting a literal translation. Having said all that, I'm no expert so am happy to consider all translations. Eugene

Perhaps there are some seasoned gaelic scholars out there from one of the Universities who might be able to provide some further insight into the meaning of the name "Dunsliebhe" for us. The name is obviously not common now, but shows up in some medievil Irish records to be sure.Those in Western Argyll that went by the name McDunsliebhe became over the centuries McDunsleave, McDunleavy,McLea, Maconlea etc. and finally Livingstone. Some of those in Ireland who also went by the name Dunsliebhe in more ancient times interestingly became the Dunleavy family. Of course there are many other stories and possibilities, but hopefully there are others out there with insights into the word origins of "Dunsliebhe". regards Donald

Decendants of Dunsliebhe we are not alone. I present to you "Cill Sliebhe Cuillinn" founded by St. Darerca about 518 AD. Now lets find someone to translate that and we may have what is in effect a Dunsliebhe rosetta stone.

Sorry I havent located a gaelic scholar yet, but taking a wild guess I suspect that Cill Sliebhe Cuilinn might roughly translate as Church of Cuilinn Mountain. I think I am seeing our word "Sliebhe" spelled as sliabh in modern gaelic, but I am unfortunately no expert in this language. I have struggled for a while with Dunsliebhe particularly with the "Sliebhe" component. If however one accepts "Dun" as meaning fort and sliebhe as being possibly the equivalent of the gaelic word "sliabh" pronounced "slieve" which means mountain then perhaps one could visualize something like mountain fort or fortified mountain as another possible meaning of Dunsliebhe. The highest mountain in Northern Ireland is "Sliabh Donairt". regards Donald

Interesting that the Donleavys (Duinn Sheibhi) of County Louth, Ireland became Levin. Independent of whatever name changes occurred with Western Argyll highlanders of essentially the same name McDunsliebhe that over the course of time went through similiar name changes finally becoming Highland Clan Livingstone. Levin and Livingstone strikingly similiar. regards Donald

One thought occurs to me. If you accept the spelling as Donnsliebhe then obviously the word brown is Donn in gaelic and that would probably enter into a translation. On the other hand if your familiar with the Dunnsliebhe spelling of our ancient ancestral name then it would not be unreasonable to suggest that Dunn in Dunnsliebhe is the gaelic word for fort. regards Donald