Sárait is an Old Irish form of Saraid, a name derived from the Irish element sár meaning "excellent". This name appears in early Irish literature as the name of a daughter of the legendary high king of Ireland, Conn of the Hundred Battles, who is a prominent figure in the Ulster Cycle and other Irish mythology.
Etymology
The name Sárait belongs to the Old Irish period, before the phonological changes that led to the variant Saraid. The root element sár is common in early Irish names and carries a positive connotation, often indicating virtue or superiority. The name thus likely means "excellent one" or "noble one".
Notable Bearers
According to Irish legend, Sárait was one of the daughters of Conn Cétchathach (Conn of the Hundred Battles). She is mentioned in the story Tochmarc Étaíne and other medieval texts. While the historical accuracy is uncertain, the name features in genealogies as a maternal ancestor of later kings.
Cultural Significance
Sárait reflects the naming traditions of early medieval Ireland, where names were often formed from adjectives describing positive qualities. The name has fallen out of common modern use but is preserved in genealogical records and in the name Saraid, which persists as a rare given name. The spelling Sárait marks the original Old Irish form, distinguished by the fada (accent) over the first 'a' and the final 't', which lenited in later pronunciation.
- Meaning: "excellent"
- Origin: Old Irish
- Type: Feminine given name
- Usage regions: Ireland
- Related forms: Saraid, Sara, Sarah