Ó Cuaig is an Irish Gaelic surname, the original form of the anglicized Quigg. It means "descendant of Cuaig," with Cuaig being a personal name of uncertain etymology. The surname is historically associated with County Mayo in the west of Ireland, particularly the Gaeltacht regions where Irish remained the primary language long after much of the country shifted to English.Etymology and OriginsThe prefix Ó denotes a patrilineal grandson or descendant, similar to the Scottish Mac. The root Cuaig is believed to derive from an Old Irish word, possibly meaning "small dog" or "cur," but this is speculative. The name appears in early Irish annals and medieval genealogies, though not prominently among the major septs like the Uí Néill or Eóganachta. Instead, the Ó Cuaig sept was likely a minor one, centred in the baronies of Tirawley or elsewhere in Connacht.Notable BearersBecause of its regional focus, one prominent bearer is Éamonn Ó Cuaig (1906–1995), an Irish-language writer, playwright, and activist. He was born in Bangor Erris, County Mayo, and was a key figure in the revival of Irish through literature and drama, often producing works set in the west of Ireland.Distribution and VariantsToday, Ó Cuaig and its Anglicized forms remain relatively rare. In Ireland, the name is concentrated in County Mayo and neighbouring areas. Outside Ireland, bearers, often with diverse Anglicized spellings such as Quigg, appear in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, primarily among descendants of Irish emigrants during the 19th century famine years.Surname statistics from directories like Forebears confirm that even with its specific spelling Ó Cuaig retains low global frequency, making it a marker of a distinct Connacht Irish lineage.Meaning: "descendant of Cuaig"Origin: Irish GaelicType: Surname (patronymic)Usage Regions: Ireland (especially Mayo); Irish diaspora