Óbeinn

Óbeinn is a term found in Gaelic-language toponymy and onomastics. In Scottish Gaelic and Irish Gaelic, beinn means “mountain” or “hill,” and the particle Ó is a patronymic prefix meaning “descendant of” or “from.” When Ó is combined with beinn in historical records, the resulting form would commonly indicate kinship or origin connected with a mountain-associated place or an ancestor linked to such a feature. The exact spelling and capitalization of such forms vary by dialect, manuscript tradition, and anglicization.

Óbeinn is not a modern standard word in Gaelic dictionaries; rather, it occurs as part of compound names in which beinn functions as a geographic element and Ó marks lineage. In practice, place-names frequently use beinn to denote a mountain, with examples across the Gaelic-speaking world such as Beinn Mheadhain, Beinn Bhreac, or Beinn Chàirn. In surnames, the equivalent genealogical prefix can appear as Ó Beinn, Ó Beann, or other variants, depending on region and historical period.

The form reflects broader patterns in Gaelic toponymy, where mountains and hills are embedded in personal names and family identities. Contemporary usage tends to preserve the base elements Beinn as a toponymic component in place-names rather than as a standalone dictionary entry.