Common first names and surnames in Co Mayo are almost the same today as they were when The Strafford Inquisition of County Mayo was compiled.
This is exemplified by the following c. 1625 information: "Richard Bourk mc Moyler, Margaret Bourk, alias Jonyne, his wife, Hubert mc Jonyne, and David mc Hubert Jonyne - 1 qr called Carrowmoremonecrower, the west half qr of the qr of Carrowcaslanemonecrower (also rendered Carrowancaslanevo- acrover); together with half the castle, bawn and barbican of the same from the last day of June 1625..."
Common first-names were Redmond, Hubert, Richard, Tibbott, Ulick, Walter and William. Female names were Shilly, Una, Margaret, Maud and Sorcha. A quick look at the placenames before looking at the surnames: the first appears to be Ceathrú mhór mhóin (an) chreabhair "the large quarter of the bog of the woodcock", the second being "the quarter of the castle of the bog of the woodcock". The surname Bourk is now generally spelt Burke, and Jonyne rendered Jennings. The Irish of this latter is Mac Sheoinín, variously anglicised Mc Jonyne, Mc Janyne, Mc Johnie, Mc Jonnie, Mc Jonyn, Mc Joynine etc. This is a patronymic surname assumed by a branch of the Burkes in Connaught, from an ancestor named Seoinín, or little John Burke.
In 1544 a licence was granted to George, Archbishop of Dublin, to alienate to Silvester Genyngs and two others of Thomastown, gents., the town and land of Rathland (parish of St Catherine's), "lying to the south of Thomastown Wodde, occupied by Thomas Bathe" (Irish Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns). A fiant of 1571 concerned a lease of messuages (many ruinous) and gardens in Trim, Co Meath, "now or late tenure or occupation" of several persons among whom Connell Genen; a fiant of 1582 concerns the pardon to a group led by Richard Burk, son of Hugh, earl of Clanricarde, among whom John Aghogy M'Sheoinin (Shane Oghogye) m'William Brown. John m'Sheonin of Toberkeagh, Co Roscommon, (and four persons named M'Jonim?) were among the pardoned contained in a fiant of 1584; pardoned in 1588 was Donill M'Shonyn of Litter, being among Fahys of Poblewinterfahy Pobal Mhuintir Uí Fhathaigh, i.e. "the country inhabited by the Fahys". This was in the Loughrea area of Co Galway. In 1594 Stephen Jennings was granted the office of clerk controller or surveyor general of the ordnance and munitions.
"To hold during good behaviour." The above Strafford Inquisition, besides Richard Bourk and his wife Margaret, lists 88 other Jennings, variously spelt. Of these, 85 were in the Co Mayo barony of Kilmaine. Jennings landowners of 1641, noted in the Co Mayo Book of Survey and Distribution, were Catherine, widow, who had 146 acres at Pollevolly, parish of Kilcommon; Edmond boy, Corboy, 54 acres; Hubert, Clooncormick, parish of Any (now parish of Robeen), 106 acres, with 37 at Corrynyblahy and 52 at Lissarney. In the barony of Gallen, Cateny Johnyne had 197 acres at Carrowdangin, 208 acres at Carrowclunyn, and 72 acres at Lisheen. King James's Army List contains "Captain David Mac Jonin or Jennings". Here we are informed that among the Attainders of 1691 were James Jennings, Tullyard, Co Down; David, Hubert, Thomas, and Michael Jonyne of Killoran; and Francis Jonyne of Skeloghoa, Co Mayo.
Among the numerous tenants of Sir Henry Lynch listed for ejection some time in the first half of the 18th century were Edmond Jonnin, Brees; Edmond Jonin, Mase & Clunedartho, John and Thomas Jonin, Ahena & Drumsenagh.
Jennings Esq, Harrymount, Co Armagh, was the sole person so-named on Taylor & Skinners