The Clan/Sept History

The history of the Sionnach Foxes is a long and complicated story. Some sources will trace Fox ancestors back to the time of Christ and even before, but this brief overview begins with Niall of the Nine Hostages in the early fifth century. Niall, who ruled Ireland from 387-405 AD, had at least twelve sons, many of whom founded various Irish family lines. One of these sons was Maine, to whom several families can trace their lineage, and these families became known as the Hy Many. They were also considered to belong to the southern branch of the O'Neills (Ua Niall). Two of the clans of the Hy Many were the Foxes and the O'Breens. As will be seen, the O'Breens figured into Fox history later on.