Walton Goggins Discovers He’s Irish Royalty
Walton Goggins has established himself as one of the best character actors in Hollywood, but he recently revealed his ancestors were even more prestigious. Through genetic ancestry tracing service 23andMe the actor discovered he is descended from literal royalty. He shared the results with the press during his promotion for his latest show, Fallout.
Irish Royalty
Walton Goggins is a descendant of Niall of the Nine Hostages–the origin of the Uí Néill Dynasty. The Uí Néill Dynasty ruled Ireland from the 6th to the 10th century. Niall held the title King of Tara and died in 405, with his descendants building on his legacy and becoming one of the most important families in Irish history.
Many people of Irish descent can trace their lineage back to the Uí Néill Dynasty. When he revealed the ancestral connection, Walton Goggins jokingly pointed out that he and “two million other people” share the lineage. Common as it may be, the relation to Niall of the Nine Hostages connects Goggins to his Irish heritage.
He’s Not Alone
Discussing how he felt about his newfound royal legacy, Walton Goggins was playful and dismissive. In addition to pointing out how common the connection is, he was most interested in finding out if his connections to the historic Uí Néill Dynasty could get him an Irish passport. However, his son has made their ancestry a point of pride, Goggins claiming his son now “walks around like he’s a king.”
Genetic tracing isn’t the only thing that connects Walton Goggins to his Irish heritage. The surname Goggins is the anglicized version of the Irish name Cúchogaidh, which roughly means “hound of war.” While his heritage may go back to Niall of the Nine Hostages, Goggins was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama.
Goggins On The Screen
Of course, Walton Goggins doesn’t need royal lineage as a claim to fame since he’s an accomplished actor. He built his career as a starring on hit shows like The Shield, Justified, The Righteous Gemstones, Invincible, Vice Principals, and Fallout. While his most notable roles have been on the small screen he’s also been in numerous movies including Ant-Man and the Wasp, Lincoln, The Hateful Eight, Django Unchained, Predators, Maze Runner: The Death Cure, and Tomb Raider.
Justified
Walton Goggins is known for playing villains and anti-heroes, capable of conveying complex motives with a genuine sense of menace. One of his most definitive roles was as the criminal Boyd Crowder in the neo-western Justified a role that earned him critical praise and a devoted fanbase. His recent performance in Fallout as The Ghoul, a Hollywood star who survived the apocalypse as an irradiated mutant, has only made him more well-known and beloved.
His Star Is Rising
Obviously, his performances stand on their own, but Walton Goggins being descended from Irish royalty adds to his mystique. The actor has had a fairly low profile compared to many other Hollywood stars, so the insight into his life is interesting, even if it is something he presents lightheartedly. If nothing else, it’s a fun bit of trivia for fans of the actor to break out and impress everyone at trivia night.
Source: Irish Star
