Focusing on the Loughney surname. Loughney is derived from O'Lachtna, who were cheiftans of the Two Backs (from Lough Conn to the River Moy), Glen Nephin and Beaudach (area surounding Crossmolina). Lachtna's father would have been Fear Bhisigh mac Domhnaill Óig, and he was said to be brother to Amhlaoibh Mór mac Fir Bhisigh in the 11th century. The name Loughney is the Anglicized form of the Old Gaelic O’Lachtna. The Gaelic prefix O indicates "grandson of" and "Lachtna" means "Grey" in the sense of wise or venerable. Surnames did not become commonly used in Ireland until around 1000. O'Lachtna has acquired many variant forms when Anglicized including: O'Loughlin, Loughnane, O'Laughnan, Loftus, Lawton and Loughney, the last being particularly widespread in the Connaught County of Mayo. Ó LACHTNA, O Laghna, Loughney; 'descendant of Lachtna' (grey, dun); the name of a family of the Ui Fiachrach, were chiefs of the Two Bacs and of Glen Nephin, in the barony of Tirawley, Co. Mayo. The Ui Fiachrach were descendants of Fiachra, son of Eochaidh Muighmheadhoin, King of Ireland in the 4th century. Fiachra was a brother of Niall of the Nine Hostages and father of the celebrated Dathi, the last pagan monarch of Ireland. The great O'Lachtna (or O'Lachtnain) sept held territory along the north western seaboard embracing Counties Roscommon, Sligo, Clare, Galway and Mayo.