Dowd is a derivation of an ancient surname once common in Ireland but now not readily found. The name Dowd is an Anglicisation of the original Ó Dubhda (pronounced ), through its more common form O'Dowd. The Uí Dubhda are one of the Clann Uí Fiachrach, one of the major families of Irish clans. The Uí Fiachrach – early origins There are many people of Irish descent who can justly claim an ancestry as ancient and royal as that of any of the famous European dynasties. Among them are the Ó Dubhda family, including the O'Dowda, O'Dowd and other variant spellings, who are descended (with many other families) from a people in the West of Ireland once known as the Uí Fiachrach (). This name derived from a 5th Century pagan king of Connacht called Fiachra (). His grandson Dáithí () also became king and was killed by lightning about A.D. 445. His grandson Aillil () succeeded as King of Connacht and later King of Tara until A.D. 482. The Ó Dubhda surname The Uí Fiachrach provided successive kings of Connacht for a long period, but their sphere of influence became confined to North Connacht. In the late 10th Century, their king was named Aedh Ua Dubhda – i.e. Hugh, the grandson of Dubhda. He was king of an area roughly corresponding to the two counties of Mayo and Sligo. He is recorded as having "died an untroubled death" in the year A.D. 982, making this surname one of the oldest in Europe. As the use of surnames became more widespread, descendants continued to use the name Ó Dubhda to distinguish their own royal family. The Ó Dubhda Taoiseach The Ó Dubhda remained kings of North Connacht until the 13th Century. However, great changes took place in Irish society and they lost control over much of their former lands before being confined to the barony of Tireragh ( ), meaning "the country of Fiachra", in County Sligo. As a result, they gradually dropped the use of the title "king". It was replaced in time by the title Taoiseach (), meaning chieftain or leader. This term now is used as the title of the Irish Prime Minister. The man who became Taoiseach generally was referred to by his surname only, e.g. Ó Dubhda. In this way he came to be referred to as chief of his name. He was elected according