Top 101 Surnames In Irish and Their Unique Meanings

Table of Contents I. The Origins of Irish Surnames II. Rare and Unique Irish Surnames III. Most Common Irish Surnames and Their Meanings IV. Traditional and Historical Irish Surnames V. Well-Known Irish American Surnames

Ever wondered what your last name reveals about your past? Irish surnames are more than just identifiers—they're windows into the rich tapestry of Irish history. Rooted in Gaelic culture, these names reflect ancestry, location, occupation, and personality, each with a story to tell.

The Origins of Irish Surnames

Surnames in Irish, called órfhocal in Irish, trace their beginnings to early Gaelic society. They began to take shape around the 11th century as a way to differentiate between individuals in growing communities. Many surnames come from patronymics—based on the name of a father or ancestor—often using “O’” (meaning “descendant of”) or “Mac” (meaning “son of”).

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Another common origin is geographic, indicating where a family lived or owned land. Some surnames are tied to occupations or societal roles, while others stem from nicknames describing physical traits, personality, or deeds. Over centuries—through invasions, migrations, and political changes—these names evolved, becoming an enduring symbol of Irish identity.

The Origins of Irish Surnames

Rare and Unique Irish Surnames

• Here are a few uncommon Irish surnames, along with the stories behind them:
• MacDermott – "Son of Diarmaid," associated with chieftains of Connacht.
• O’Keefe – "Descendant of Caoimh," meaning gentle or noble.
• Fagan – "Descendant of Faodhagán," interpreted as fiery or passionate.
• Sweeney – Derived from “Mac Suibhne,” meaning pleasant.
• Tierney – From “Ó Tiarnaigh” or “MacTighearnian,” meaning master or lord.

Most Common Irish Surnames and Their Meanings

These are among the most frequently found Irish surnames, each with a meaning rooted in Gaelic tradition:

• Murphy – From “Ó Murchadha,” meaning sea warrior.
• Byrne – “Ó Broin” or “Ó Beirn,” meaning descendant of Bran (raven).
• Kelly – “Ó Ceallaigh,” meaning warrior or fighter.
• O’Brien – “Descendant of Brian.”
• Ryan – “Ó Riain,” meaning little king or linked to water/ocean.
• O’Sullivan – “Ó Súilleabháin,” meaning dark-eyed or hawk-eyed.
• O’Connor – “Descendant of Conchobhar,” an ancient king of Ulster.
• Walsh – From “Breathnach,” meaning Welshman or foreigner.
• McCarthy – “Mac Ćarthaigh,” meaning son of Cárthach.
• Doyle – “Descendant of Dubhghall,” meaning dark stranger.
• Barry – “Ó Beargha” or “Ó Báire,” meaning spear-like or plunderer.
• Campbell – Translates as “crooked mouth.”
• Murray – “Ó Muireadhaigh,” meaning sea settlement.
• Nolan – “Ó Nualláin,” meaning noble or famous.
• Bell – Derived from the Old English “Belle,” meaning bell maker/ringer.
• Kenny – “Ó Cionaoith” or “Ó Coinne,” meaning fiery love.
• Fitzpatrick – Of the Mac Giolla Phadraig line, “follower of St. Patrick.”
• Gallagher – Means helper or foreigner.
• Hayes – “Ó hAodha,” meaning fire.
• Flynn – From “Ó Floinn,” meaning red-haired descendant.
• Donovan – “Descendant of Donnubán,” meaning dark-haired chief.
• Regan – “Ó Riagáin,” meaning king’s child.
• Whelan – “Ó Faoláin,” meaning wolf.
• O’Neill – “Ó Néill,” meaning descendant of Niall.
• Egan – “Mac Aodhagáin,” meaning little bright-eyed one.
• Muldoon – “Ó Maoldúin,” meaning disciple of St. Dúin.
• O’Carroll – “Ó Cearbhaill,” meaning fierce in battle.
• Nolan – Repeated entry; “Ó Nualláin,” noble or famous.
• Phelan – Another form of “Ó Faoláin,” meaning wolf.
• Cosgrave – “Ó Coscraigh,” meaning son of Coscrach.
• Molloy – “Ó Maolmhuaidh,” meaning proud chieftain.
• Flannery – “Ó Flannghaile,” meaning red valor.
• McMahon – “Mac Mathghamhna,” son of the bear.
• Tracy – “O’Treasaigh,” meaning fighter.
• Coughlan – “Mac Cochláin,” son of the one with the cloak.
• McGee – “Mac Aodha,” son of Aodh.
• Hennessy – “Ó hAonghusa,” an old Gaelic name.
• Keating – From “Céitinn,” of unknown origin.
• O’Driscoll – “Ó hEidirsceoil,” bearer of news.
• Heany – “Ó hEignigh,” meaning horseman.
• Dempsey – “Ó Díomasaigh,” meaning proud.
• McManus – “Mac Mághnais,” son of Magnus.
• Boyle – “Ó Baoighill,” descendant of Baoigheall.
• O’Houlihan – “Ó hUallacháin,” meaning proud.
• McGovern – “Mág Samhradháin,” son of Samhradhán.
• Keenan – “Ó Cianáin,” faithful one.
• Colgan – “Ó Colgáin,” meaning sword.
• Duffy – “Ó Dubhthaigh,” descendant of Dubthach.
• Kearney – “Ó Catharnaigh,” meaning victorious.
• Crean – Descendant of Croidheagan.
• Mulligan – “Ó Maolagáin,” grandson of the bald one.
• Geoghegan – “Mag Eochagáin,” meaning horse.
• Scully – “Ó Scolaidhe,” descendant of Scolaidhe.
• Madden – From “Madadhan,” meaning little dog.
• Hegarty – “Ó hÉigeartuigh,” Gaelic origin.
• Tiernan – “Ó Tiarnáin,” meaning master.
• McKeogh – “Mac Eochaidh,” son of Eochaidh.
• Gorman – “Mac Gormáin,” dark blue or noble.

Traditional and Historical Irish Surnames

• O’Cleary – “Ó Cléirigh,” meaning cleric or scholar.
• McCloskey – “Mac bhLoscaidh,” son of Bloscadh.
• Brennan – “Ó Branáin” or “Ó Braonáin,” descendant of Branán.
• Cahill – Means strong in battle.
• Boland – “Ó Beólláin,” descendant of Beóllán.
• Kennedy – “Ó Ceannéidigh,” grandson of Ceannéidigh.
• Dwyer – Meaning dark-colored.
• Cullen – “Ó Cuileáin,” young hound or handsome one.
• Finnegan – “Ó Fionnagáin,” son of the fair-haired.
• Gaffney – “Ó Gamhna,” meaning calf.
• Canavan – “Ó Ceanndubháin,” dark-haired descendant.
• Ward – “Mac an Bhaird,” son of the bard.
• Flanagan – “Ó Flannagáin,” red or ruddy.
• Brady – “Ó Brádaigh,” broad or spirited.
• Collins – “Ó Coileáin,” darling.
• Donohoe – “Ó Donnchadha,” brown-haired warrior.
• Donnelly – “Ó Donnghaile,” brown valor.
• Quinn – “Ó Coinn” or “Mac Cuinn,” son of Conn.
• Dunne – “Ó Doinn,” meaning brown or dark.
• Boylan – “Ó Baoigheallain,” descendant of Baoigheallán.

Traditional and Historical Irish Surnames

Well-Known Irish American Surnames

• Moloney – Meaning church servant.
• Moore – Noble or stately.
• Moran – “Ó Móráin,” big chieftain.
• Mullen – “Ó Maoláin,” descendant of Maolán.
• Healy – “Ó hEalaighthe,” ingenious.
• Higgins – “Ó hUiginn,” sea rover.
• Hogan – “Ó hUiginn,” young warrior.
• Hughes – “Ó hAodha,” descendant of Aodh.
• Magee – “Mag Aodha,” son of Aodh.
• Maguire – “Mac Uidhir,” son of Odhar (dark one).
• Maher – “Ó Meachair,” kind chief.
• Martin – “Mac Giolla Mhártain,” follower of St. Martin.
• Kane – “Ó Catháin.”
• Kavanagh – Follower of St. Caomhan.
• Keane – “Ó Catháin,” courageous warrior.
• Sheehan – “Ó Síodhacháin,” the peaceful one.
• Foley – “Foghlú,” plunderer.
• Connolly – “Ó Conghalaigh,” fierce as a hound.

Well-Known Irish American Surnames

Discover Your Irish Roots

These names hold more than meanings—they hold memory, legacy, and culture. Whether your surname is common or rare, exploring its origin is a step into your family's past and a celebration of Irish history that continues to live on.

By Scotstee.

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