A quick history of the name MacTreinfhir
This quick description has been adapted from an informative page on the name Traynor. The ancient Irish name of MacThreinfir (or various other spellings), is interpreted as “son of Treanfear”. It is an Ulster name, and it branches off the Madden pedigree, in the Milesian line of Heremon, one of the sons of Milesius of Gaul.
Variations of the name include M’Crenir, M’Kreaner, MacCreanor, MacCranor,
MacCrainor, Treanor, Trenor, Trayner, Trainor, Traynor, Tranor, Thréinfhir and Thréinḟir. It is described as “An Irish personal name, meaning ‘champion’, literally, ‘strong-man’. A well-known Ulster surname.” in a book of Irish surnames by Woulfe. O’Kane says some Trainors were Scottish and some English, although this is not certain. The Irish went to England and Scotland way back in time, probably long before the Romans were there. Even England’s Royal family has some Irish roots. In a book “Irish Genealogy: A Record Finder” edited by Donel F Begly (he used to work at the Genealogy Dept. in Dublin), it says in 1890 there were only 77 “Traynors” in Ireland. 35 spelled Traynor, 28 Treanor, 12 Trainor. The spelling was mainly Traynor in Dublin, Treanor and Trainor in Antrim, Armagh, Monaghan and Tyrone.