Bejabbers! Learn Something New About the Luck of the Irish Thanks to These 100+ Irish Surnames

Traci Rhoades

March 1, 2023 at 1:20 AM·15 min read

We've got insight into 105 of common Irish last names, and their meanings.

The luck of the Irish. Where to begin? Perhaps with the Celts, an ancient people who lived in a much larger territory than the British Isles. We'll cover their fascinating history, as well as 100+ of the most common Irish last names.

At one point, the Celts were the largest people group in all of Europe, dwelling in areas all the way from Spain to the Black Sea. But in fact, these ancient people who lived in Western or Central Europe didn't identify as Celts. When the Greeks encountered a people called the Keltoi in 540 BC, it was them who used the term, Celts. When the Romans happened upon them, roughly one hundred and fifty years later, they called them Galli.

They were not an organized society, but, according to History.com, they collectively formed "hundreds of tribal chiefdoms with a shared culture and distinctive language." It is this shared language that helped carry oral traditions down through the ages. You'll still come across variations of the Celtic language (ie. Welsh, Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Cornish and Breton) in parts of the United Kingdom and France.

Many of the Gallic tribes fell to Roman conquests, and much later, fell to a number of Germanic tribes. They became so integrated into these other cultures, it's only by their linguistics that we can identify who these ancient tribal people groups might have been.

Fast forward to more modern-day history, when people in places like Ireland, Scotland and Wales were politically unhappy with British rule. In protest, they proudly claimed a pre-Christian Celtic identity. One they may or may not have owned outright, and even if they did, many other Europeans could make a similar claim.

So who are these people, the Celts who now live around the world? Specifically, the Irish variety? By taking a look at these 105 common Irish surnames, we'll have a better idea.

Note: If I had included every O', Mc', and Fitz- name of Irish origin, we'd have a much longer list. These common beginning letters indicate "son of," and were actually dropped at various times during Irish history, when individuals and families were discriminated against because of them.

100+ Common Irish Last Names

1. Barry

Meaning spear thrower.

2. Boyle

An old Irish surname whose origins are uncertain. Perhaps connected to Irish 'geall,' meaning 'pledge.'

3. Brady

A descendant of 'Bradach.' In Gaelic, this means 'thieving, roguish, spirited,' but they're not pronounced the same.

4. Brennan

From Irish 'Braonain' who root word means ‘sorrow’ or 'tear’ or ‘drop.’ Popular in Kilkenny and Roscommon.

5. Brogan

Probably derived from the old Irish, 'brog' meaning shoe. Brogues were a shoe, specifically a work boot that could be work in wet conditions, made and worn in Ireland and Scotland as early as the 16th century.

6. Brown

Meaning, well, 'brown.' It's a descriptive surname referencing one's complexion, their hair, or even the color of clothes they wore most often.

7. Buckley

Meaning 'cowherd' or 'servant.'

8. Burke

It means 'fortress, fortification, castle.' A Middle English surname brought to Ireland by William de Burgh, a Norman invader, in the 12th century.

9. Byrne

Originally O’Byrne, from the Irish 'O'Broin' descendant of Bran,' who was an 11th-century King of Leinster. His clan were chieftains of the Kildare county, until the Norman invasion in 1169, which drove them to the mountains in nearby Wicklow.

10. Campbell

A descriptive surname meaning 'crooked mouth.' It likely originated in Scotland, and eventually made its way to Ireland.

11. Carroll

From an old Irish word meaning 'pointed, sharp, cutting.' Famous novelist, Lewis Carroll, went by this name, although his real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson. He wrote Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

12. Cavanaugh

Or commonly 'Kavanaugh,' used by a 12th-century king of Leinster, Domhnall Caomhánach (the eldest son of a historic king, Diarmait Mac Murchada), and thus his descendants.

13. Clancy

A descendant of a 'red-headed' soldier or warrior.

14. Clarke

From the Irish Gaelic sept, 'O Cleirigh,' meaning clerk.

15. Collins

Derived from a Gaelic word, ‘Cailean,’ which means ‘whelp (young offspring)’ or a ‘young dog.’

16. Connolly

From the Gaelic, 'o Conghaile.' Means fierce as a hound.

17. Cullen

From the Irish word, 'O Cuileain,' meaning handsome, puppy, young hound, or son of the holy one.

18. Cunningham

Taken from the Old Irish word, ‘Cuinneagan’ which itself originates from the Old Irish word ‘conn,’ meaning a chief or leader.

19. Cusack

A name originating in France and came to Ireland via England during the time of the Norman invasion in the 12th century. It's all but died out in France and England, but is still common in Ireland.

20. Daley

From 'O Dalaigh,' which means assembles frequently. For centuries, people with this surname were respected poets, literary figures and teachers throughout Ireland.

21. Daugherty

From the anglicized, ‘O Dochartaigh' (descendant of Dochartach). ‘Dochartach’ means obstructive or dangerous. A variation is Doherty.

22. Delaney

It is a combination of two Old Irish words, ‘dubh,’ meaning black, and ‘slan,’ meaning defiance.

23. Dempsey

Originally in Gaelic, 'O Diomasaigh,' from the word 'diomasach', meaning proud. Surname of popular actor, Patrick Dempsey.

24. Donnelly

A variation of O'Donnell. According to Ireland-Calling, "It is said that St Patrick recommended the clan to always have the sign of the cross on their family shield."

25. Donovan

This surname dates back to the 10th century. The royal line of a medieval king.

26. Dooley

Originates from the 12th century Gaelic, 'O' Dubhlaoich,' meaning the male descendant of the dark hero, which typically references the first chief of the clan.

27. Doyle

A common Irish surname, and one of the few that rarely had an O' in front of it. It's originally associated with Wicklow, Wexford and Carlow counties, and in records dating back to the fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

28. Duffy

One of the many families descended from the great Kings of Ireland called the 'Three Collas,' who, according to ancient Irish tradition, founded a territory in northern Ireland circa the 4th century.

29. Dunne

Rather than the common reference as 'son of,' this surname is derived from the Gaelic word for brown. It's well-known in Ireland today, because the country's largest chain of supermarkets is Dunne's Stores.

30. Dwire

The exact origin is unknown. Their Gaelic names were 'O Duibhir' and 'Mac Duibhir,' both derived from dubh, which means black, and odhar, which means uncolored. Other places, they're identified as 'Descendant of the dark, tawny man.' Another suggests, from a Gaelic word meaning a woody uncultivated place.

31. Farrell

Generally meaning 'valiant warrior' or 'man of valor.'

32. Fitzgerald

A Norman family who came to Ireland in 1170. Literally 'son of Gerald.'

33. Fitzpatrick

Son of Patrick. From the Latin name, ‘Patricius,’ that means nobleman.

34. Finnegan

Son of a fair-haired, or fairheaded, man.

35. Flanagan

Means reddish or scarlet.

Related: 17 St. Patrick's Day Traditions

36. Foley

Can be traced back to the ancient Celtic name 'Foghlu,' meaning plunderer. It was given to outlaws such as pirates.

37. Flynn

If you're in certain parts of Ireland, don't pronounce the 'F.' From the Old Irish word for fair or white.

38. Gallagher

This clan has been in Ireland's Donegal County since the 4th century, and remains a common surname. A Gaelic word meaning lover of foreigners

39. Galligan

Coming out of Northern Ireland, a name meaning 'bright white.'

40. Gorman

From the Irish word, ‘gorm’ which means blue. It may also be a topographical surname for someone who lived by a 'gore,' a triangular patch of land.

41. Griffin

Taken from the Middle Welsh name 'Gruffudd,' the name of several Welsh princes. It arrived in a surname in Ireland around the 12th century, with the Anglo- Norman invasion of Strongbow.

42. Hayes

Although common variations exist in England and Scotland as well, when Irish, this surname may refer to the Gaelic, 'O hAodha,' from the Old Irish 'Aed,' meaning fire.

43. Healy

Rarely seen with the proper prefix, 'O' anymore, this surname was first found in Sligo County, where the O'Healys held an ancient family seat.

44. Higgins

Although it looks English, this is a purely Irish Gaelic name (originally likely O'Higgins), and means 'viking.'

45. Hogan

A descendant of 'Ogan,' which comes from the Irish word ‘Og,’ meaning young.

46. Hughes

An anglicized word, ‘Mac Aodha.’ The name ‘Adobe’ is derived from ‘Aed,’ which is Old Irish for fire.

47. Johnston

Is it Irish or Scottish? This is another name noting historic migrations between the two countries. This surname is habitational, derived from several places in Scotland. Its root word is 'settlement' in Middle English, so it's literally pointing to John's town.

48. Kane

The anglicized form of ‘O’Kane’ or ‘O Cathain,’ and references a battle. Keane and Keeny are common variations.

49. Kavanagh

Traditionally, there was no O' or Mac- assigned to this surname. The Old Irish word is 'Caomhanach,' denoting association with St. Caomhan, who lived in the first century. The ruins of a church named for him can be found hidden in a cemetery on Inisheer Island.

50. Kelly

An anglican surname, ‘ó Ceallaig,’ so descendant of 'Ceallach,' meaning bright-headed, or strife. It is the second most common Irish surname in Ireland today.

51. Kenny

anglicized form of ‘Mac Aodha’ referring to ‘son of Aodh.’ The name ‘Aodh’ is derived from ‘Aed,’ an Old Irish word for ‘fire.’

Meaning bright-headed. This surname is found all over Ireland; originating from about 10 unrelated ancient clans or septs.

52. Kennedy

Refers to the anglicized ‘ó Cinnéidigh,’ Its root word means armored head or misshapen head.’

53. Kinsella

One of the few original Gaelic surnames that didn't have a O' or Mac- attached to it. Kinsellas are descendants (along with certain Kavanaghs) of Dermot MacMurrough, an ill-famed King of Leinster from 1134-1171.

54. Larkin

Anglicization of the Gaelic, 'Lorcan,' a personal name meaning rough or fierce.

55. Lynch

From the anglicized word meaning 'descendant of Loingseach.’ An occupational indicating having or belonging to a fleet or navy. A surname of dual origin, both Gaelic and Norman.

56. Lyons

A very common Irish surname, particularly in the southern provinces. An Anglo-Norman derivative for someone associated with a lion.

57. Magee

Common in both Scotland and Ireland. It's been a popular name for Irish kings with the first recorded king with this surname, Teag MacGee, appearing in records from 1000 AD.

58. Maher

Descendants of a kindly, hospitable chief.

59. Malone

Anglicized form of the Gaelic name, 'O Maoil Eoin,' meaning descendant of a devotee of Saint John.

60. Martin

Common in both Ireland, Scotland and England. When of Irish origin, it's believed to originate from 'Mac Giolla Mhartain' meaning son of the follower of St. Martin.

61. MacCarthy

A highly common name in Ireland as a whole, especially in Cork County, which accounts for some 60 percent of them.

62. McCaherty

The 'he' is common in Irish spellings, but silent in the pronunciation. Originally, 'son of Godfrey.'

63. McCormick

Associated with the shortened, Cormac, both from the Celtic 'corbmac,' meaning charioteer.

64. McCown

And its many derivatives in the United States—McCowns, McCowans, McKowns, McKeowns—all share roots. Historically, it's not uncommon to find a variation in spelling among members of one family.

65. McGrath

Originated in Ireland around the 10th century. In Ireland, it's pronounced 'Ma-Grah.'

66. McGuire

From the Old Irish word, 'Maguidhir,' meaning son of the brown-haired one.

67. McLaughlin

First found in Meath County, located in Eastern Ireland. There, the McLaughlin's held a family seat from ancient times, even before the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 AD.

68. McMullen

Gaelic, which derives from the ancient name 'Maolan,' meaning the tonsured one. Specifically a reference to a holy man so zealous he would shave his head.

69. Moore

A common surname in both Ireland and England, so it is difficult to say where one's descendants are from. In Ireland, it holds twentieth place in the list of most common names.

70. Moran

The Gaelic form of this surname is 'O Morain' or 'O Moghrain,' from the root word 'mor, meaning big.

71. Mullan

When this surname is of Irish descent, it's an anglicized form of the Old Irish 'O Maolain,' possibly from the Gaelic word 'maol,' meaning bald.

72. Mulligan

Taken from Old Irish, 'mael,' or 'maol.' Commonly used in naming, but the word has three possible meanings: a lord or chief, bald, shaven, tonsured or a servant.

73. Murray

A variant of ‘Muiredach’ referring to ‘lord’ in Irish. It's also a common surname in Scotland, reflective of the country's historic ties.

74. Murphy

Meaning sea-battler. The most common last name in Ireland, especially in Cork County. The most common surname in Ireland today.

75. Murtaugh

Adding the second 'u' makes it a common Irish name, but that's a variant of the Scottish Murtagh, which means victorious at sea.

76. Nerney

This surname can be found in many variations; MacInerney, McInerney, McErney, Norheny, and Nertney, as examples. In Old Irish, it's 'Mac an Airchinnigh,' meaning son of Erenagh, denoting steward of church lands.

77. Nolan

Means ‘noble’ or ‘famous.’ Numerous in Ireland's Carlow County.

78. O'Brien

Meaning high or noble. They are descendants of Brian Boru, the celebrated High King of Ireland from 1002-1014 AD. One famous person with this surname is comedian Conan O’Brien.

79. O'Callaghan

Descendants of Ceallachain, King of Munster in the 10th century. It's still a very common surname in Cork County.

80. O'Clery

It's written that the lord of Aidhne, Tigherneach Ua Cleirigh, died in Galway County of Ireland back in the year 916 AD, making it possibly the earliest surname in all of Europe.

81. O'Connor

Descendants of warriors. This name has a variety of spellings across Ireland and beyond. One notable person with this surname is novelist Flannery O'Connor.

82. O'Grady

Descendants of Olioll Olum, King of Munster (d. 234 AD). Most of the great families of the south of Ireland are his descendants.

83. O'Leary

A descendant of 'Laoghaire,’ meaning calf-herder.

84. O'Malley

One of the few 'O' names which kept its prefix. A descendant of a follower of St. John.

85. O'Neill

Son of 'Neill' (champion), this family has an ancient history, dating all the way back to 360 A.D. They are descendants of legendary warrior king, Niall of the Nine Hostages, who is said to have brought St. Patrick to Ireland.

86. O'Reilly

The most powerful sept of the old Gaelic kingdom of Breffny, prominent beginning in the 10th century. The family is still prominent in the area.

87. O'Shea

Taken from an Old Irish word, Ségdae. Probably meant 'fine, good, favourable, learned.'

88. O'Toole

Means 'ruler of the people,' A surname of a few Irish kings, including the legendary Túathal Techtmar, who, according to legend, ruled in the 1st or 2nd century.

89. Quinn

Originally 'O'Cuinn,' meaning son of Conn (or ceann), whose root word meant head or chief. As a tribal society, there were many since Celtic society was tribal, there were many ceanns.

90. Rafferty

Associated primarily with Western Ireland, derives from the pre-10th century Old Gaelic, 'O'Raithbheartaigh,' meaning prosperity wielder.

91. Regan

An anglicized name, ‘ descendant of Riagan,’ whose root word means impulsive.

92. Riordan

Of Irish origin. 'Ri' means king and 'bard' meaning poet, these are descendants of a royal poet. In ancient Ireland, the poet was very highly regarded in any royal household, as he acted as scholar, historian and advisor to the king.

93. Ryan

Taken from two old Gaelic words, and means 'little kings.'

94. Scully

Meaning ‘descendant of a scholar.’

95. Shea

Originally from Kerry County, moving into Tipperary County in the 12th century, and Kilkenny County by the 15th century.

96. Sheehan

Largely from Cork County, Ireland, or its surrounding areas. The Gaelic form is 'O Síodhacháin,' from a word meaning peaceful.

97. Smith

Meaning son of the smith. Also very common in Britain and Scotland.

98. Sullivan

The hawk-eyed or dark-eyed ones.

99. Sweeney

More Scottish in origin, from the Gaelic word, 'suibhne,' which means pleasant. It's still a common surname in Ireland.

100. Thompson

Actually English in origin, but is the second most common non-Irish name in Ireland. Also common in England, Scotland and Wales.

101. Toole

Meaning a ‘descendant of Tuathal,’ ruler of the people.

102. Walsh

A common name among those with Norman origins. Likely used by Welsh people who arrived in Ireland with the Normans during the 12th century.

103. Ward

An Old Irish surname, derived from 'Mac and Bhaird' (son of the bard). A bard was a storyteller or poet.

104. White

A common name from the 'le Whytes,' who came to Ireland with the Anglo-Normans.

105. Wilson

This surname has both English and Scottish origins, but is tremendously popular in Northern Ireland. 'Son of Will.'

Up Next: 100 Common Jewish Surnames

News

Life

Entertainment

Finance

Sports

New on Yahoo