Eochaid or Eochaidh (earlier Eochu or Eocho, sometimes anglicised as Eochy, Achaius or

Haughey Haughey () is an Irish surname of noble origins. Spelling variations include: Hoey, McCaughey and McKeogh, among others. The Haugheys are descendants of the ancient Dál Fiatach dynasty, rulers of Ulaid. According to Irish tradition the Dál Fia ...

) is a popular medieval Irish and

Scottish Gaelic Scottish Gaelic (, ; Endonym and exonym, endonym: ), also known as Scots Gaelic or simply Gaelic, is a Celtic language native to the Gaels of Scotland. As a member of the Goidelic language, Goidelic branch of Celtic, Scottish Gaelic, alongs ...

name deriving from

Old Irish Old Irish, also called Old Gaelic (, Ogham, Ogham script: ᚌᚑᚔᚇᚓᚂᚉ; ; ; or ), is the oldest form of the Goidelic languages, Goidelic/Gaelic language for which there are extensive written texts. It was used from 600 to 900. The ...

"horse", borne by a variety of historical and legendary figures.

Variations

List

Eochaid mac Eirc In Irish mythology Eochaid (modern spelling: Eochaidh), son of Erc, son of Rinnal, of the Fir Bolg became High King of Ireland when he overthrew Fodbgen. He was the first king to establish a system of justice in Ireland. No rain fell during his ...

mythological Myth is a genre of folklore consisting primarily of narratives that play a fundamental role in a society. For scholars, this is very different from the vernacular usage of the term "myth" that refers to a belief that is not true. Instead, the ...

king of the

Fir Bolg In medieval Irish myth, the Fir Bolg (also spelt Firbolg and Fir Bholg) are the fourth group of people to settle in Ireland. They are descended from the Muintir Nemid, an earlier group who abandoned Ireland and went to different parts of Europe. ...

in the 16th or 20th century BC *Eochaid Ollathair, also known as

The Dagda The Dagda ( , ) is considered the great god of Irish mythology. He is the chief god of the Tuatha Dé Danann, with the Dagda portrayed as a father-figure, king, and druid.Koch, John T. ''Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia''. ABC-CLIO, ...

, mythical king of the

Tuatha Dé Danann The Tuatha Dé Danann (, meaning "the folk of the goddess Danu"), also known by the earlier name Tuath Dé ("tribe of the gods"), are a supernatural race in Irish mythology. Many of them are thought to represent deities of pre-Christian Gaelic ...

, said to have ruled

Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...

in the 15th or 18th century BC * Eochaid Faebar Glas, legendary

High King of Ireland High King of Ireland ( ) was a royal title in Gaelic Ireland held by those who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over all of Ireland. The title was held by historical kings and was later sometimes assigned anachronously or to leg ...

of the 13th or 15th century BC *

Eochaid Étgudach or ('possessing clothes') or ('negligent'?), son of Dáire Doimthech, son of Conghal, son of Eadaman, son of Mal, son of Lugaid, son of Íth, son of Breogán, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ire ...

, legendary High King of Ireland of the 12th or 15th century BC *

Eochaid Mumho Eochu Mumu (or Eochaid Mumo, Mumho), son of Mofebis, son of Eochaid Faebar Glas, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. According to the ''Lebor Gabála Érenn'' he came to power after killing t ...

, legendary High King of Ireland of the 12th or 15th century BC *

Eochaid Apthach Eochu (or Eochaid) Apthach ("outlaw" or "fatal") of the Corcu Loígde of County Cork, a distant descendant of Breogán, the father of Míl Espáine, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He took ...

, legendary High King of Ireland of the 9th or 10th century BC *

Eochaid Uaircheas Eochu (or Eochaid) Uairches, son of Lugaid Íardonn, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. After Lugaid was overthrown and killed by Sírlám, Eochu was driven into exile overseas, but he return ...

, legendary High King of Ireland of the 8th or 9th century BC *

Eochaid Fiadmuine Eochaid or Eochaidh (earlier Eochu or Eocho, sometimes anglicised as Eochy, Achaius or Haughey) is a popular medieval Irish and Scottish Gaelic name deriving from Old Irish "horse", borne by a variety of historical and legendary figures. Variat ...

, legendary High King of Ireland of the 8th or 9th century BC *

Eochaid mac Ailella Eochu (or Eochaid), son of Ailill Finn, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He succeeded to the throne after his father was killed by Airgetmar and his ally Dui Ladrach. According to the '' ...

, legendary High King of Ireland of the 6th or 8th century BC * Eochaid Ailtleathan, legendary High King of Ireland of the 3rd or 5th century BC *

Eochu Feidlech Eochu or Eochaid Feidlech ("the enduring"), was a High King of Ireland, according to medieval Irish legends and historical traditions. He is best known as the father of the legendary queen Medb of Connacht. Family Eochu was son of Finn, son of ...

, legendary High King of Ireland of the 1st or 2nd century BC *

Eochaid Airem Eochu Airem ("the ploughman"), son of Finn, was, according to mediaeval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland during the first or second century BC. He succeeded to the throne after the death of his brother, Eochu Feidlec ...

, legendary High King of Ireland of the 1st or 2nd century BC *

Eochaid Gonnat Eochaid Gonnat or Gunnat ("wounding"?), son of Fiach, son of Imchad, son of Bresal, son of Sírchad, son of Fíatach Finn, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He came to the throne on the deat ...

, legendary High King of Ireland of the 3rd century AD * Eochaid Mugmedon, semi-historical High King of Ireland of the 4th century AD * Eochaid Iarlaithe (died 666), king of the Cruthin or Dál nAraidi in Ireland *

Eochaid Buide Eochaid Buide was king of Dál Riata from around 608 until 629. "Buide" refers to the colour yellow, as in the colour of his hair. He was a younger son of Áedán mac Gabráin and became his father's chosen heir upon the death of his elder broth ...

, historical king of Dál Riata in the 7th century AD * Eochaid mac Domangairt, historical king of Dál Riata in the 7th century AD * Eochaid mac Echdach, historical king of Dál Riata in the 8th century AD * Eochaid mac Áeda Find, spurious king of Dál Riata in the 8th century AD *

Eochaid, son of Rhun Eochaid ab Rhun (fl. 878–889) was a ninth century King of Strathclyde, who may have also been King of the Picts. He was a son of Rhun ab Arthgal, King of Strathclyde, and descended from a long line of British kings. Eochaid's mother is record ...

, historical king of Strathclyde (or perhaps of the Picts) in the 9th century AD * Eochaid Muinremuir, father of Erc of Dalriada and grandfather of

Fergus Mór Fergus Mór mac Eirc (; English: ''Fergus the Great'') was a possible king of Dál Riata. He was the son of Erc of Dalriada. While his historicity may be debatable, his posthumous importance as the founder of Scotland in the national myth of ...

Dallan Forgaill Dallan is a given name and surname. Notable people with this name include: * Dallán mac Breasal, 5th century Irish king * Dallan Forgaill, 6th century Irish saint * Dallán mac Móre Dallan is a given name and surname. Notable people with this ...

, Eochaid Dallan Forgall, Saint and Poet 530 - 598 Two legendary Irish High Kings were called Rothechtaid, which appears to mean "Eochaid's wheels"

Fiction

* The name Eochaid was used by Rutland Boughton for the king in his opera The Immortal Hour in 1914. * In ''

Dungeons & Dragons ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (commonly abbreviated as ''D&D'' or ''DnD'') is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) originally created and designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. The game was first published in 1974 by TSR (company)#Tactical ...

'' 4th edition, in ''Dragon Magazine'' #381 Eochaid was used as an example patron for a fey pact

warlock A warlock is a male practitioner of witchcraft. Etymology and terminology The most commonly accepted etymology derives '' warlock'' from the Old English '' wǣrloga'', which meant "breaker of oaths" or "deceiver". The term came to apply special ...

. It is described as a mixture of a fey humanoid and animal shapes, while the art shows a humanoid with fur and horns, green twines forming the arms, trees forming its legs and the roots forming its toes. * In the 2022 video game ''

Elden Ring is a 2022 action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It was directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki with worldbuilding provided by the American fantasy writer George R. R. Martin. It was released o ...

'', "Eochaid" is a mentioned location and former home of the character "Elemer of the Briar". A collectable weapon "Regalia of Eochaid" also hails from the fictitious domain. {{Given name Irish-language masculine given names Masculine given names