What is the English form of the surname Ó Cuív? (As in Éamon Ó Cuív). I thought maybe it was O'Keefe but my book says that's Ó Caoimh. Also, why would an Irish surname use a "v"?

THe minister's father or grandfather was an advocate for spelling reform of the Irish language that's why he changed it from the original spelling!

http://www.foinse.ie/leighSceal.asp?sId=2136

quote:

Maidir lena ainm féin, dúirt sé nach raibh aon fhadhb aige leis an ‘v’ ann ná leis an ‘v’ sa Ghaeilge go ginearálta. Dúirt sé gur cáineadh a athair na blianta ó shin faoi ‘v’ a bheith ina ainm.

Thanks for all the help but I don't know Irish so the quote is lost on me...

"With regards to his own name he [Éamonn Ó Cuív] said that he had no problem with the 'v' in it nor with the 'v' in Irish generally. He said that his father was condemned years ago for a 'v' being in his name."

(He also said (tongue in cheek) that he was considering changing the spelling of his name to O Kymh - since he found a reference to that name in the annals...)

Thanks for all of y'all's help...