The Driscolls were at one time rulers of an ancient territory covering much of southwest Munster called the Corca Laidhe. The height of their power was during the first millennium. By the late first millennium, they were feeling pressure from other clans vying for territory. The O'Mahonys, for instance, made great headway cutting their way through Caheragh and Skull, effectively splitting up the Corca Laidhe territory of the Diocese of Ross. Over many centuries the Driscoll territory eventually became confined to land roughly between Skibbereen and Clonakilty. The Driscolls knew the coastline and engaged in piracy. While their legend lived on, their influence gradually declined, especially after the Nine Years War. In the decades following that war, Driscoll lands around certain ploughlands in Creagh and Tullagh parishes were taken over by The O'Donovan and his relatives. Well into the 17th century the Driscolls were largely relegated to being revenue collectors for the McCarthys.

The external website to the Driscoll yDNA project holds more historical details.

Many written histories of County Cork detail the decline of the O'Driscolls at the end of the Nine Years War and beyond.

Some other references:

The Driscoll Sept. "Finnerty." [J. M. Burke]. Southern Star. August 13, 1932.

Like other major West Cork families, the Driscolls used a number of agnomina and secondary names. Among them: Finn; Minihane; Doolin; McAodn or McKennedy, etc.

The Agnomina page in the Driscoll project remains a work in progress but gives illustrated examples of the use of secondary names.