Irish or Gaeilge is one of Ireland’s two official languages. It was seen for the first time in Ogham form in the fifth century. So, I have selected the 65 most common Irish last names with meanings included.
List Of The Most Common Irish Last Names and Their Meanings:
Dunne
Dunne comes from Ó Doinn and Ó Duinn, ”brown” or ”dark.” The Dunnes, one of the chiefly families of the Ui Failghe, used to have many castles in Ireland.
McGrath
”Son of grace,” or ”son of prosperity.”
Nevin
From cnámh, ”little bone.”
Lyons
It comes from Ó Laighin and laighean, ”spear.”
Sheridan
”Seeker,” and Richard Brinsley Sheridan wrote The School for Scandal.
O’Leary
”Calf herder.”
Murphy
Murphy is a variant of Mac Murchaidh and Ó Murchadha.
Griffin
Griffin is a name of Irish and Welsh origins and is meaning ”descendant of Gríobhtha.”
O’Halloran
It comes from allmhurach, ”stranger from overseas.”
O’Malley
O’Malley (”chief”) is the family of Grace, pirate queen of Mayo.
Donovan
Dark warrior.
Keaveney
”Captive.”
McManus
From Norse Magnus, ”great.”
Dolan
”Bold.”
Kelly
Kelly is from the word ceallach (bright-headed).
Quinn
Quinn is from Ó Cuinn and is symbolizing descendant of Conn (”counsel” or ”clear head”). It is pronounced as KWIN.
Gilligan
Little lad.
Carey
”Dark one.”
Coakley
”Blind warrior”.
Deasy
From the Déise, a people of Waterford.
Ronan
”Little seal,” and actor Saoirse Ronan.
McBride
From Mac Giolla Bhríde, ”servant of Brigid.”
Moore
Moore is the anglicised Ó Mórdha and is from mórdha (”proud” or ”stately”).
Fahey
It comes from fothadh, ”foundation.”
Nagle
Nagle (”at the angle”) is Nano, who founded the Presentation Sisters.
Finnegan
From fionn, ”fair.”
Geraghty
”Courtier.”
Maguire
”Son of the pale one,” and the Maguires ruled Fermanagh.
Duffy
Duffy is linked to Ó Dubhthaigh, ”descendant of Dubhthach” or ”descendant of the dark one”.
Sexton
”Sacristan.”
Regan
Regan has its origins in the Gaelic ‘Ríoghán’ and has a meaning that I like, ”royal” or ”little king.”
O’Donnell
”World ruler,” and the clan of Red Hugh, lord of Tyrconnell.
Bannon
From bán, white.
McCann
”Wolf cub.”
Fitzgibbon
”Son of Gilbert.”
Daly
”Assembly,” and a family of bardic poets.
Moran
”Great.”
O’Brien
”Descendant of Brian.”
Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald has Irish and Anglo-Norman French origins and means “son of Gerald.” Barry Fitzgerald was an actor who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Going My Way.
Crowley
Hard warrior.
Bracken
From breac, ”speckled.”
Dunleavy
”Brown of the mountain.”
Redmond
”Counsel protector,” and John Redmond headed the Irish Parliamentary Party.
Tobin
It comes from Saint-Aubin, a town in France.
O’Hara
”Descendant of Eaghra,” and Scarlett’s surname in Gone with the Wind.
Walsh
Walsh comes from a Middle English word “Welsh” (foreigner). Welsh and Walshe are all good variants.
Riordan
Royal poet.
Doherty
”Unlucky” or ”obstructive.”
Barrett
From Old French barat, ”strife.”
Boyle
Boyle (”rash pledge”) initially started as Ó Baoill in Donegal, a clan of the Northern Uí Néill.
Grogan
From gruag, ”hair.”
Flaherty
”Bright ruler” or ”princely.”
Roche
”Rock.”
Conroy
”Hound of the plain.”
McCormack
”Son of the charioteer.” Tenor John McCormack made his operatic début at the Teatro Chiabrera.
Gaffney
From gamhain, ”calf.”
Hanley
”Beautiful one.”
Flynn
It is an anglicised form of Ó Floinn (”red or ruddy colouring”). You’ll meet it in Cork and Roscommon.
Fitzpatrick
”Servant of Saint Patrick.”
Smith
Smith is the 5th most common surname in Ireland. It is from the Old English word smithe (blacksmith).
Madden
”Little hound.”
Cusack
Cusack (”from Cussac”) is Michael, founder of the GAA.
McNally
Son of the poor man.
Kissane
”Rent,” or ”tribute.”
Lehane
From liath, ”grey.”
O’Rourke
From Ruarc, ”famous ruler.”
Scully
”Scholar.”
McDonagh
”Brown warrior.” Playwright Martin McDonagh penned two prize-winning radio plays.
Molloy
”Noble chief.”
Meagher
Meagher, pronounced MAR, is ”hospitable.”
Coleman
From Colmán, ”little dove”.
Garvey
From Gairbhith, ”rough peace.”
Doyle
It is from the Gaelic Ó Dubhghaill, “descendant of Dubhghall.”
O’Sullivan
O’Sullivan comes from O’ Suileabhain, ”descendant of the one-eyed.”
Jordan
Jordan has Hebrew origins and is symbolizing “to flow down.”
Burke
“Fortified settlement” or “fortress.” It has roots in the House of Burgh that is an Irish family that descends from the Anglo-Norman de Burgh dynasty.
Power
From Old French povre, ”poor,” and Waterford’s most common surname.
Coughlan
Coughlan comes from cochal, ”cape,” pronounced KOK-lan or KAWL-an.
Mulhern
”Devotee of Saint Ciarán.”
Shanahan
Wise.
McShane
Son of Seán.
Duggan
”Dark,” ”black,” ”swarthy” or ”little dark one.”
Tighe
”Poet.”
Kavanagh
Kavanagh originates in Caomhánach, “follower of St. Caomhán”. Kavanaugh is another version.
Rice
From Welsh Rhys, ”ardour,” and Edmund Rice founded the Christian Brothers.
Kearney
”Victorious” or ”warlike.”
Collins
Collins is a diminutive of the Greek Nicholas, “victory of the people.” In case you didn’t know, Saint Nicholas of Myra grew into the figure we call Santa Claus today. It also comes from the word cuilein (darling).
McLoughlin
McLoughlin derives from the Gaelic Ó Maoilsheachlainn, “son of Lochlann.”
Campbell
Campbell has origins in the Gaelic Caimbeul that is symbolizing “crooked mouth.”
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MacCarthy
Son of Cárthach.
Clarke
Clarke is pronounced “klahrk.” It comes from the Latin clericus (cleric or priest). Clark and Clerk are variants of Clarke.
McDermott
”Free from envy” or ”free man.”
Connolly
“Fierce as a hound”.
Sweeney
“Son of Suibhne,” and is from the Gaelic Mac Suibhne (”pleasant”). Sydney Sweeney played in The Handmaid’s Tale as well as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Keane
“Little warrior.”
Malone
From “Mael Eóin,” Malone means “servant of Saint John”.
Whelan
”Young wolf.”
Gallagher
Gallagher is linked with the noble Gallagher family of County Donegal, ”helper of the stranger.”
Hayes
Hayes is an anglicized form of Ó hAodha, ”enclouser” or ”hedged area.”
Nolan
Nolan is from Ó Nualláin, ”noble” or ”famous.” The O’Nolans of Ireland are one of the oldest families in Ireland.
Mangan
Mangan (”long-haired”) is poet James Clarence Mangan, author of Dark Rosaleen.
Brogan
From bróg, ”little shoe.”
McNamara
”Hound of the sea.”
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O’Carroll
“Descendant of Cearbhall.” Carrell or Carroll are different variations.
Hughes
Hughes is a variant of the Old French Hugues, ”mind” or ”heart.” It also comes from Ó hAodha. Rugby player Ailsa Hughes made her debut for Ireland in 2017.
Higgins
Higgins is the Anglicised variant of Ó hUiginn, ”descendant of Uiginn” (”viking”).
O’Dwyer
”Black” and is from Ó Dubhuir. Clan O’Dwyer is one of Ireland’s oldest aristocratic houses.
Gilmore
From Mac Giolla Mhuire, ”servant of Mary.”
Quinlan
”Graceful shape.”
McKeown
From Eoghan, ”born of the yew.”
Kenny
”Born of fire.”
Flatley
”Prince poet.”. Michael Flatley created Lord of the Dance.
Corrigan
From corr, ”spear”.
Kennedy
It is an Anglicisation of Ó Cinnéide (grandson of Cinnéidigh). O’Kennedy was a sept of the Dál gCais.
O’Reilly
The O’Reillys were the kings of East Bréifne.
Lynch
It is from “O’Loingsigh,” meaning “seafarer.” Lynch was one of the 14 merchant families that are known as the Tribes of Galway,
Cullen
”Young hound” or ”whelp.”
Casey
Casey comes from Ó Cathasaigh, ”watchful” or ”vigilant.”
Gleeson
”Green,” and actor Brendan Gleeson played Mad-Eye Moody.
Fallon
Ruler.
Foley
”Plunderer” or ”raider,” and is from Ó Foghladha and the root foghlaidh.
O’Neill
“Grandson of Niall”.
Ryan
Ryan has roots in Ó Riain, ”descendant of Rian.”
McCarthy
McCarthy has several variants that I love including MacCarthy and McCarty. It means ”loving” or ”son of the loving one.” Cormac In 1446 Láidir MacCarthy, Lord of Muskerry, constructed the keep at Blarney.
Mulligan
Little bald one.
O’Mara
O’Mara has origins in meadhair, with a meaning that I love: ”mirth.”
Keenan
”Ancient.”
McMahon
”Son of the bear.”
Byrne
Byrne comes from Ó Broin, descendant of Bran, and ”bran” is the word for raven.
Behan
”Little bee,” and Brendan Behan wrote Borstal Boy.
Lacy
From Lassy in Normandy, and Hugh de Lacy started Trim Castle.
Brady
”Spirited,” ”broad,” ”large-chested” or ”thief.”
Naughton
Pure.
McGuinness
Son of Aonghus, ”one choice,” shared with the god of love in Irish myth.
Fogarty
”Outlawed.”
Colgan
It comes from colg, ”sword.”
McGarry
”Manly.”
Moriarty
”Navigator,” and Sherlock Holmes’s worst enemy.
Cooney
”Comely.”
Butler
”Wine steward,” and the Butlers of Ormond lived in Kilkenny Castle.
Treanor
Strong man.
Geoghegan
Geoghegan is pronounced GAY-gan and comes from each, ”horse.”
Sheehan
From síodhach, ”peaceful.”
Mulvihill
”Devotee of Saint Michael”.
Kinsella
Kinsella (”proud”) comes from Énna Cinnsealach, a Leinster prince.
Doran
”Exile” or ”stranger.”
Murray
”Lord.”
Fleming
From Old French, a man from Flanders.
O’Connor
”Descendant of Conchobhar” and was one of the royal houses of Connacht.
Hanlon
”Great champion.”
McCaffrey
From Godfrey, ”God’s peace.”
Moloney
”Servant of the church.”
O’Connell
”Descendant of Conall” and is made from cú (”hound”) and gal (”valour”).
Feeney
”Soldier,” from fian, a war band like Fionn’s Fianna.
McGovern
It comes from samhradh, ”summer.”
Hynes
”Ivy,” and the line of Guaire, a Connacht king famed for generosity.
Lowry
”Spokesman,” as well as a golfer Shane Lowry won the Open at Royal Portrush.
Concannon
White-headed hound.
Slattery
”Strong,” or ”bold.”
Brennan
Brennan (”little raven”) and comes from ”bran.”
Rooney
”Hero” or ”champion” and has origins in Ó Ruanaidh.
Donnelly
Donnelly is made of donn (”brown”) and gal (”valour”) via Ó Donnghaile.
Corcoran
From corcair, ”purple”.
McEvoy
Woodsman.
Lennon
From leann, ”cloak,” or leannán, ”lover.”
Ahern
”Lord of horses,” as well as the surname of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
O’Toole
”Ruler of the people,” and Saint Laurence O’Toole is patron of Dublin.
Egan
Egan (”little fire”) is from a line of Brehons. Keegan and McKeegan are spelling variations.
Hogan
”Young warrior”.
Ward
Ward is from Mac an Bhaird (”son of the bard”) and the family were hereditary poets to Gaelic chieftains in Donegal and Galway.
Cassidy
“Curly-haired”.
Devlin
“Unfortunate” or “unlucky”.
Costello
“Son of Oisdealbhach.”
Hennessy
In 1765 Richard Hennessy founded the cognac house.
Purcell
From Norman porcel, ”piglet.”
McNulty
”Son of the Ulsterman.”
Larkin
”Fierce,” and Jim Larkin organised Dublin’s workers in the Lockout.
Healy
”Ingenious,” or ”claimant” in the Sligo line.
Morrissey
Sea choice.
Delaney
Delaney combines dubh (”dark”) and Sláine, the River Slaney. Variants include Delany and Dulaney.
Tierney
”Lordly”.
Magee
”Son of Aodh.”
Gorman
Gorman comes from Ó Gormáin and gorm, ”little blue one.”
Clancy
”Ruddy warrior,” and a family of folk singers from Carrick-on-Suir.
Rafferty
Prosperity wielder.
Hegarty
”Unjust.”
Shea
”Hawk-like,” ”stately,” ”fortunate” or ”dauntless.”
Coffey
”Victorious.”
Mooney
Wealthy.
O’Driscoll
”Intermediary,” or ”interpreter.”
Bergin
Bergin (”born of song”) goes back to Amergin, a poet of Irish myth.
Galvin
”Bright white,” or ”sparrow.”
McAuliffe
From Norse Olaf, ”ancestor’s heir.”
Spillane
It comes from speal, ”scythe.”
Farrell
”Man of valour,” and the O’Farrells ruled Annaly, today’s Longford.
Tracey
”Fighter.”
Dempsey
”Proud”.
Kilroy
”Red-haired lad,” and a World War Two doodle: Kilroy was here.
Cronin
From crón, swarthy.
Hickey
”Healer,” and hereditary physicians to the O’Briens of Thomond.
Considine
It comes from Constantine, ”steadfast.”
Moynihan
”Munsterman.”
Cahill
”Battle ruler.”
Davitt
”Beloved,” and Michael Davitt founded the Land League.
O’Keeffe
It comes from caomh, ”gentle.”
Grady
Noble.
Blake
”Black” or ”pale,” from two Old English words.
Leahy
”Like a warrior.”
Nugent
From Nogent, a French place name for a new settlement.
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