Tuathal

Tuathal is an Irish given name derived from Old Irish tuath, meaning “people” or “tribe,” and tal, often interpreted as “lord” or “ruler.” The combination conveys the sense of a ruler who governs the people. The name appears in early Irish literature and genealogies and has persisted in Irish usage and among the Irish diaspora.

The best-known bearer is Tuathal Techtmar, a legendary High King of Ireland described in medieval sources. In various annals and genealogies he is placed in the early historic period and linked to the founding or consolidation of royal lineages. Accounts differ between sources, reflecting the blend of myth and history characteristic of early Irish tradition.

In modern times the name survives in Ireland and in Irish communities abroad, with variants such as Tuathall and Tuathail. The surname Ó Tuathail, anglicized as O'Toole (and in related forms Toole or Tool), derives from the personal name and testifies to its historical influence in Irish naming practice.