Today's New York Times had an article about a study showing that a large number of
families are descended from the same early-medieval ancestor, most likely a previously
legendary figure known as "Niall of the Nine Hostages."
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/18/science/18irish.html
Still, the new genetic evidence may convince historians that there was a common
ancestor for at least one of the major branches of the Ui Neill, such as the Cenel
nEogain, which lived in an area of northwest Ireland where the I.M.H. is most common.
Most histories of the name 'Caulfield' say that most (but not all) Caulfields
are part of this group. Here's one of several...
MacCAUL, MacCawell, Caulfield : (Mac) CORLESS, Carlos Caulfield a surname of many
origins. The majority of our Caulfields are MacCawells - Mac Cathmhaoil in Irish, a Cenél
Eoghain sept traditionally descended from Niall of the Nine Hostages. Located in the
barony of Clogher (Co. Tyrone). Other anglicized forms are those Campbell, Howell,
MacCarvill, MacCowhill, Callwell, MacCall and MacHall. The last two are also used for Mac
Cathail of Hy Many, which, when found in its homeland in Connacht is now Corless, Carlos
or Charles; Corless and Carlos are often Mac Carluis in modern Irish. Today MacCaul and
MacCall belong mainly to the Armagh-Monaghan-Cavan area, while Caulfield is most numerous
in north-east Ulster and in Mayo.
http://www.goireland.com/genealogy/scripts/Family.asp?FamilyID=503
Can anyone add some perspective to this?