Mattimoes in Ireland
Mattimoe is an unusual name and those of that name can trace their roots back to the land surrounding Lough Arrow and Lough Key in the south of Co. Sligo and north of Co. Roscommon. Today the name is still rare in Ireland and, perhaps surprisingly, the majority of those of that name still live in the areas such as Boyle, Ballyfarnon, Doon and Treanmore where Mattimoes have lived for at least 250 years.
From the information available it seems most likely that the Mattimoes can trace their origins back to the townland of Coolboy in Co. Sligo. It seems probable that they were living here in the middle of the 17th century and perhaps fifty years earlier. Col. Cyril Mattimoe in his research on the family name finally concluded that, whilst there was no conclusive proof, the family may have moved from the Pale around Dublin in the mid 17th century. Other possibilities include a Frenchman washed up on the Sligo coast and links with the army. What can be proved is that after the initial spread of the family south toward Co. Roscommon and Boyle the original family changed their name to Milmo. Whether this was a deliberate action or the result of variations of spelling of surnames common at the time the name Milmo would have been more familiar and 'Irish' to the community and may have been a factor, for reasons long since forgatten, for the change of name. The map on Mattimoe Origins shows how the family possibly spread through Co Sligo and Co. Roscommon. Col. Cyril Mattimoe researched the family name over a period of fifty years. Mattimoe/Milmo Origins is a transcript of his research.
The earliest reference to those of the Mattimoe name is in the Census of Diocese of Elphin which was taken in 1749 under the instructions of the Protestant Bishop Synge. The Church of Ireland diocese of Elphin covers most of Co. Roscommon north through Co. Sligo to the coast. It includes the Mattimoes heartland. This was a comprehensive census of the families living in the diocese and is likely to have included all the Mattimoes living in Ireland at that time with the exception of those living in Lissaneena and Kilmactranny.
The next snapshot of Mattimoe families was the Tithe Applotment Survey which took place between 1823 and 1834 in the Counties of Roscommon and Sligo. Whilst this survey excluded the landless labourers who formed the majority of the population it appears that most of the Mattimoe families were small farmers at this time and were therefore included in the survey.
Similarly the Griffiths Valuation which took place during 1857-58 in Counties Roscommon and Sligo listed all occupants of land and, whilst again excluding the majority of the population is likely to have recorded most Mattimoe families.
Parish registers support the narrow distribution of Mattimoe families during the 19th century with references in the following parishes.
Ardcarne (baptisms), Ardcarne (marriages), Aughanagh (baptisms), Aughanagh (marriages), Boyle & Kilbryan (baptisms), Boyle & Kilbryan (marriages), Boyle & Kilbryan (deaths) and Geevagh
From this information it is possible to construct family groupings for Ardcarne Aughanagh Boyle & Kilbrayan and Geevagh
Review the book Little Ireland which traces the history of the Mattimoes and the area in which they lived, which formed the ancient kingdom of Moylurg, and tells the story of Thomas Mattimoe who left Ireland for England with his family in the 1860's.
The above picture shows Thomas and Ann Mattimoe surrounded by their family in the grounds of St Osmunds Roman Catholic Church, Gainford Co. Durham on the occasion of their daughters confirmation on 27th October 1887. Back row from left to right are Annie Cox or Rose Ann Gaffney (family friend), Peter Mattimoe, Stephen Mattimoe, Annie Mattimoe, Patrick Mattimoe and Frank Mattimoe. Front row from left to right are unknown young boy possibly a Cox, John Mattimoe with his son Stephen on his lap, John's wife Hannah with Patrick's son Stephen on her lap, Thomas Mattimoe, Ann Mattimoe, John's first son Thomas and Patrick's wife Mary Ann.
More family photographs can be found in the Family Album
For photographs of that part of Ireland from whence the Mattimoes hailed are in the Gallery