Irish last names reflect the magical beauty of Ireland’s land, culture and history. Irish surnames are noted for their unique and charming qualities. This page has curated lists of common Irish last names and meanings by category.
What are Irish Last Names?
Irish last names reflect Ireland’s deep-rooted culture, which has experienced cultural shifts, migration, and periods of intense persecution. Irish last names often reflect clan names, religious ideals, and the Irish Gaelic language. Common themes in many Irish last names reference personality traits like courage, loyalty, and ancestry. Irish culture has survived and thrived despite attempts at minimizing it, so the cultural influence of the ancient Irish people is strongly reflected in surnames. As the Irish have migrated around the globe, Irish surnames have become synonymous with Irish identity and heritage and are easily recognized. For example, common Irish-American last names include Murphy, Kelly, Sullivan, Kennedy, and Cunningham. Unique Irish-American last names include McCarthy, Quinn, Malone, Gallagher, and McBride.
Ancient influences on Irish last names are mixed between Irish and Scottish Gaelic words used in surnames and Anglicized Latin surnames that came through Roman and English occupation and migration. Surnames like O’Brien, which means ‘descendent of Brian,’ are common because of their ancestral ties, and others like O’Keefe, meaning ‘gentle,’ are popular because of their linguistic meanings. We have curated a comprehensive list of Irish last names and used this research to compile surnames by theme.
Top 100 Irish Last Names
Here, we present our comprehensive list of the most common Irish last names. These surnames are frequently derived from Gaelic words that describe characteristics, occupations, and ancestral ties.
- Murphy – Sea warrior
- Kelly – Warrior
- Byrne – Descendant of Bran, meaning raven
- Walsh – Foreigner, meaning Welshman
- Ryan – Little king
- O’Brien – Descendant of Brian
- O’Connor – Descendant of Conchobhar, meaning lover of hounds
- O’Sullivan – Dark-eyed
- Doyle – Descendant of Dubhghall, meaning dark stranger
- O’Neill – Descendant of Niall
- Lynch – Mariner
- McCarthy – Son of the loving
- Gallagher – Helpful, meaning valiant
- Doherty – Obstructive
- Kennedy – Helmet-headed, meaning ugly head
- Murray – Seafarer, meaning lord
- Quinn – Descendant of Conn, meaning chief, wisdom
- O’Carroll – Champion
- Connolly – Valorous
- Daly – Counselor
- O’Connell – Descendant of Conall, meaning strong wolf
- Brennan – Descendant of Braonán, meaning sorrow
- Dunne – Brown, meaning dark
- Burke – Fortress
- Nolan – Descendant of Nuallán, meaning noble, famous
- O’Reilly – Outgoing
- FitzGerald – Son of Gerald
- Flynn – Son of the red-haired one
- Power – Poor, meaning a pauper
- Farrell – Valorous
- Carroll – Champion
- Kavanagh – Descendant of Caomhán, meaning gentle
- O’Donnell – Descendant of Domhnall, meaning world ruler
- Healy – Claimant
- Clarke – Cleric, meaning scholar
- Duffy – Descendant of Dubhthach, meaning black
- Brady – Thieving, meaning spirited
- Whelan – Joyful
- O’Shea – Hawk-like, fortunate
- Kenny – Handsome
- FitzPatrick – Son of Patrick
- Keane – Distant
- O’Leary – Calf-herder
- Moran – Descendant of Mórán, meaning big
- Reilly – Outgoing
- McGrath – Son of grace
- Barry – Spear-like
- Foley – Plunderer
- Hayes – Fire
- Maher – Generous
- Buckley – Boy, meaning male
- Martin – Warlike
- Casey – Vigilant
- Roche – Rock
- Hughes – Fire
- Smyth – Smith
- Browne – Brown
- McMahon – Son of a bear
- Hogan – Young
- Griffin – Strong in faith
- O’Keeffe – Gentle
- White – White, meaning fair
- Egan – Little fire
- O’Donovan – Descendant of Donndubhán, meaning brown-black
- Sweeney – Pleasant
- Cullen – Holly tree
- Hickey – Healing
- Conway – Hound of the plain
- O’Mahony – Descendant of Mathghamhna, meaning bear
- O’Callaghan – Descendant of Ceallachán, meaning strife
- Cunningham – Village behind the marsh
- Maguire – Son of the brown one
- McDonnell – Son of Donal
- O’Donoghue – Descendant of Donnchadh, meaning brown warrior
- Sullivan – Dark-eyed
- Delaney – Descendant of the challenger
- Cronin – Little dark one
- Sheehan – Peaceful
- Keogh – Gentle
- McCormack – Son of Cormac
- Higgins – Knowledge
- Curran – Hero
- Cahill – Strong in battle
- Boyle – Having profitable pledges
- McNamara – Son of the hound of the sea
- Corcoran – Ruddy
- Crowley – Cruel
- McKenna – Son of Cionnaith, meaning born of fire
- Sheridan – Searcher
- Molloy – Noble chief
- Barrett – Brave as a bear
- Flanagan – Red, meaning ruddy
- O’Rourke – Descendant of Ruarc
- O’Toole – Descendant of Tuathal, meaning prince of the people
- Moloney – Noble
- Phelan – Like a wolf
- Kearney – Victorious
- Dowling – Black, meaning melancholy
- Mooney – Wealthy
- Malone – Servant of Saint John
Unique Irish Last Names
Unique Irish last names are like jewels within the vast treasure of Ireland’s genealogical history. These names can be traced back to ancient clans, warriors, and historical regions of Ireland.
- Ahern – Horse lord
- Boyd – Blond, meaning fair
- Callaghan – Descendant of Ceallachán, meaning strife
- Carney – Victorious
- Cassidy – Clever, meaning curly-haired
- Clancy – Son of Flannchadh, meaning red warrior
- Cleary – Cleric, meaning scholar
- Coffey – Victorious
- Connell – Strong as a wolf
- Connor – Descendant of Conchobhar, meaning lover of hounds
- Conroy – Descendant of Conaire, meaning hound of the plain
- Corbett – Little raven
- Costello – Son of the hostile one
- Coyle – Son of the slender one
- Crowe – Hero
- Cummins – Hound, meaning wolf
- Dempsey – Proud
- Dolan – Black, meaning dark
- Donnelly – Dark, meaning brown
- Dooley – Dark hero
- Doran – Exile, meaning wanderer
- Downey – Descendant of the fortified place
- Duff – Black, meaning dark
- Dwyer – Dark wise one
- Ennis – Island
- Fagan – Little ardent one
- Fay – Raven
- Fenton – Settlement on the marsh
- Finn – Fair, meaning white
- Flaherty – Generous, meaning hospitable
- Gannon – Fair-skinned
- Gillespie – Son of the bishops servant
- Hanley – Descendant of the champion
- Joyce – Joyful
- Kearns – Victorious
- Keating – Descendant of Céitinn, meaning small and frequent
- Keenan – Ancient, meaning distant
- Lacey – From Lassy, meaning Normandy
- Larkin – Rough, meaning fierce
- Lawler – Mutterer
- Lowry – Laurel
- Madden – Little dog
- Maloney – Servant of the church
- McBride – Son of Brighid
- McCabe – Son of the cape, meaning hooded one
- McCann – Son of Cana, meaning wolf cub
- McCoy – Son of Aodh, meaning fire
- McDermott – Son of Diarmaid, meaning without envy
- McFadden – Son of little Patrick
- McGovern – Son of the blacksmith
- McGowan – Son of the blacksmith
- McGuire – Son of the brown one
- McHugh – Son of Hugh
- McIntyre – Son of the carpenter
- McManus – Son of Magnus
- Mcqueen – Son of Suibhne, pleasant
- McNally – Son of the poor man
- Meehan – Small
- Monahan – Monk
- Mulligan – Descendant of Maolagán, meaning bald
- Mullins – Bare, meaning bald
- O’Farrell – Descendant of Fearghal, meaning man of valor
- O’Malley – Descendant of a follower of Saint John
- Quigley – Untidy-haired
- Redmond – Counselor, meaning wise protector
- Regan – Little king
- Roe – Red-haired
- Rooney – Descendant of Ruanaidh, meaning champion
- Shannon – Old, meaning wise
- Tobin – Tobin from Saint Aubin in Brittany
- Waldron – Mighty raven
- Weldon – Hill near a spring
Cool Irish Last Names
Our list of cool Irish last names is for the rebellious, the revolutionaries, and the independent. Their uniqueness and cultural significance make them especially captivating to those within and outside of the Emerald Isle.
- Broderick – Descendant of Bróthar, meaning brother
- Byrnes – Descendant of Bran, meaning raven
- Caffrey – Descendant of Gafra, meaning rough, cruel
- Callan – Powerful in battle
- Cashman – Servant, meaning steward
- Cavanagh – Descendant of Caomhán, meaning gentle
- Cosgrove – Victorious champion
- Coughlan – Descendant of Cochlain, meaning hooded
- Crosbie – Cross settlement
- Culhane – Descendant of Cuileann, meaning holly
- Drennan – Descendant of Drennan
- Farren – Descendant of Fearán, meaning the little man
- Fogarty – Exiled
- Furey – Descendant of Fura
- Gilligan – Descendant of the hostage
- Glennon – Valley
- Goulding – Gold, meaning golden
- Hanly – Descendant of the champion
- Hendrick – Home ruler
- Hennessy – Descendant of Aonghus
- Hyland – High land
- Kenneally – Descendant of Cinnéidigh, meaning helmet-headed
- Kerrigan – Dark
- Kilkenny – Church of Cainnech
- Kirby – Church settlement
- Lalor – Leper
- Lawlor – Mutterer
- Loftus – Lofty, meaning high
- Lohan – Little bare one
- Loughlin – Descendant of Lochlainn, meaning lake
- McCarron – Descendant of Ciarán, meaning little dark one
- Morrin – Descendant of Murchán
- Morrissey – Descendant of Muirgheas
- O’Driscoll – Descendant of the interpreter
- O’Dwyer – Dark wise one
- O’Hara – Descendant of Eaghra, meaning horse lord
- O’Meara – Descendant of Meadhair
- O’Regan – Descendant of Riagán
- O’Riordan – Royal poet
- Quirke – Distorted, meaning lame
- Seery – Free from envy
- Shanahan – Wise
- Sharkey – Descendant of Searc
- Shea – Majestic
- Shine – Descendant of Seán, meaning John
- Slattery – Energetic
- Spillane – Thought to derive from speal, meaning scythe
- Tallon – Descendant of Tallán, meaning clumsy
- Tiernan – Descendant of Tighearnán, meaning lord
- Tierney – Descendant of Tighearnach, meaning lord
- Whitty – White
- Winters – Descendant of Géimhreadh, meaning winter
- Wynne – Fair, white
Cute Irish Last Names
Their Gaelic origins lend these surnames a touch of whimsy, reminiscent of Ireland’s enchanting tales and countryside. Many find these surnames endearing and will add a hint of the Emerald Isle’s magic and warmth to one’s identity.
- Ashe – Ash tree
- Bracken – Freckled
- Carberry – Descendant of Cairbre, meaning charioteer
- Claffey – Stony ground
- Conneely – Descendant of Conaola, meaning hound of valor
- Curley – Descendant of Coiréal
- Darcy – Descendant of dark one
- D’arcy – Descendant of dark one
- Donnellan – Descendant of Donnell
- Doolan – Dark, meaning swarthy
- Fahy – Place of assembly
- Falvey – Yellow man
- Fennelly – Descendant of Fionnghuala, meaning fair shoulder
- Fennessy – Descendant of Fionnghus, meaning fair vigor
- Finegan – Descendant of Fionnagán, meaning white, fair
- Finlay – Fair warrior
- Finnerty – Descendant of Fionnachta, meaning snowy
- FitzSimons – Son of Simon
- Foy – Raven
- Friel – Descendant of Fréil
- Gillen – Servant, meaning attendant
- Gilmartin – Son of Martin
- Gleeson – Son of the little bright-eyed one
- Harte – Stag
- Harty – Stout, meaning sturdy
- Heaney – Descendant of Éanna
- Keaney – Descendant of Cianán, meaning ancient
- Kiely – Graceful
- Kinsella – Head of the brine
- Kissane – Pathway
- Lambe – Descendant of Lámh, meaning hand
- Lavelle – Descendant of Maolmhaghna
- Lillis – Lily
- Linnane – Pond, meaning pool
- MacDonnell – Son of Donnell
- Mahony – Descendant of Mathghamhna, meaning bear
- McAndrew – Son of Andrew
- McAuley – Son of Aulay
- McCauley – Son of Aulay
- McEntee – Son of the jeering one
- McGinty – Son of the birdlike one
- McHale – Descendant of Ceallach
- McMorrow – Descendant of Murchadh
- Merrigan – Small and merry
- Minogue – Descendant of Manóg, meaning monk
- Moylan – Descendant of Maolán, meaning bald
- Mullaney – Descendant of Maolán, meaning bald
- Mullarkey – Descendant of Maolmhuire, meaning servant of Mary
- Mulvaney – Descendant of Maolmhuine
- Nagle – Hostage
- Nally – Descendant of Niall
- Noonan – Descendant of Nuadán
- Noone – Descendant of Nuadán
- O’Dea – Descendant of Deaghaidh
- Reidy – Smooth, meaning straight
- Somers – Summers child
- Sweetman – Gentleman
- Tighe – Handsome, meaning poet
- Timmons – Descendant of Tadhgán
- Toomey – Descendant of Tuama, meaning hill, tumulus
- Treacy – Warlike
- Tully – Hilly land
- Watters – Ruler of the army
Badass Irish Last Names
Badass Irish last names sound like they ar from tales of ancient warriors, legendary clans, and rebellions. These surnames evoke a sense of strength, resilience, and tenacity.
- Bannon – Descendant of OBanain, meaning white
- Bergin – Descendant of OBergin, meaning related to spear, sharp
- Brosnan – Descendant of Brosnach, meaning relating to a district in Kerry
- Donoghue – Descendant of Donnchadh, meaning brown warrior
- Duane – Descendant of Dubhán, meaning little black one
- Duggan – Descendant of Dubhagáin, meaning little dark one
- Durkan – Descendant of dark, meaning sullen one
- Fortune – Fortunate, lucky
- Geaney – Descendant of Géibheannach, meaning captive
- Hanratty – Descendant of Ainreachtaigh, meaning lord-like
- Hardiman – Descendant of Ardghalmán, meaning high valor
- Hartigan – Descendant of Artagáin, meaning related to bear
- Horgan – Descendant of Ó hArgáin, meaning silver
- Hourigan – Descendant of Hourihane, meaning sagacious
- Hussey – Descendant of Ó hEodhusa, meaning related to outcast
- Judge – Lord, master
- Keaveney – Descendant of Caomhán, meaning gentle
- Killeen – Descendant of Cillín, meaning little church
- Kilmartin – Descendant of the follower of Martin
- Landers – Descendant of lion strength
- Lawless – Descendant of Laighléis, meaning nonchalant
- Leech – Healer
- Liston – Fortress, meaning stronghold
- Logan – Descendant of Lagan, meaning hollow
- MacCarthy – Son of Carthach, meaning loving
- MacNamara – Son of the hound of the sea
- Madigan – Little dog
- Mannix – Descendant of Mainchín, meaning monk
- Masterson – Son of the master
- McCaffrey – Son of the cupbearer
- McCluskey – Son of the shy one
- McGann – Descendant of Gann, meaning light-skinned
- McGill – Son of the servant of the foreigner
- McGoldrick – Son of the devotee of St. Ulrich
- McGuinness – Descendant of Aonghus
- McKeever – Son of the craftsman
- McQuaid – Son of Wat or Uad
- McShane – Son of John
- McSweeney – Descendant of the Swiss man
- Moriarty – Navigator, meaning sea-worthy
- O’Byrne – Descendant of Bran, meaning raven
- O’Flaherty – Descendant of the bright, meaning radiant prince
- O’Gara – Descendant of Gadhra, meaning hound
- O’Hagan – Descendant of Aodhán, meaning fire
- O’Hare – Descendant of Eaghra, meaning fear
- O’Kane – Descendant of Cathán, meaning warrior
- O’Shaughnessy – Descendant of Seanach, meaning wise, old
- Reddin – Reedy place
- Riordan – Royal bard
- Rock – Descendant of Roche, meaning rest
- Rushe – Wood
- Scanlan – Descendant of Scannlán, meaning scandal
- Scanlon – Descendant of little trapper
- Scully – Herald
- Shaughnessy – Descendant of Seanach, meaning wise, old
- Skelly – Story-teller
- Traynor – Strong man
- Troy – Descendant of Troightheach, meaning foot soldier
Rare Irish Last Names
Rare Irish surnames are perfect for those who want to stand out. These surnames often have origins in specific regions or from ancient Gaelic families whose last names sound rare and refined.
- Cleere – Clerk, scholar
- Coghlan – Descendant of Coghlan, meaning hooded
- Conlon – Descendant of Conall, meaning strong wolf
- Connaughton – Descendant of Conachtach, meaning man from Connacht
- Corrigan – Descendant of Corraidhín, meaning spear
- Cosgrave – Victorious champion
- Counihan – Descendant of Coineadhain
- Cullinan – Descendant of Coileáin, meaning whelp, young dog
- Cussen – Descendant of the little archer
- Dennehy – Descendant of Donnchadh, meaning brown warrior
- Devane – Descendant of Damhán, meaning fawn, little stag
- Dorgan – Descendant of dark, meaning sullen one
- Dowd – Dark, swarthy
- Earley – Descendant of Airghialla, meaning pledge, hostage
- Fanning – Descendant of Fionnán, meaning fair
- Feeney – Descendant of Fianna, meaning warrior
- Forde – Ford, meaning river crossing
- Gaffney – Descendant of Gabhann, meaning smith
- Gargan – Descendant of Gargán, meaning small, little
- Gaynor – Son of the fair-haired one
- Geoghegan – Descendant of Geoghegan, meaning horseman
- Gilsenan – Descendant of Giolla Seanaín, meaning servant of St. John
- Grogan – Descendant of Grugán, meaning stunted growth
- Guilfoyle – Descendant of Giolla Phóil, meaning servant of St. Paul
- Hannigan – Descendant of Annachán, meaning storm
- Heneghan – Descendant of Einghin, meaning force, strength
- Holohan – Descendant of huallacháin, meaning proud
- Kiernan – Descendant of Ciarán, meaning little dark one
- Leddy – Descendant of Laideach, meaning thief
- Lenehan – Descendant of Leannán, meaning lover
- McNamee – Son of the hound of Meath
- McNicholas – Son of Nicholas
- Monaghan – Descendant of Manachán, meaning monk
- Muldoon – Descendant of Maoldún, meaning chief, fortress
- Munnelly – Descendant of Maonlaí, meaning warrior, chief
- Murnane – Descendant of Murnáin, meaning lord, noble
- Nulty – Descendant of Nualltach, meaning noble
- Nyhan – Descendant of Nia, meaning warrior
- O’Beirne – Descendant of Bjorn, meaning bear
- O’Gorman – Descendant of Gormán, meaning little blue one
- O’Halloran – Descendant of Hoolahan, meaning proud
- O’Hanlon – Descendant of Ó hAnluain, meaning like a hound
- Oleary – Descendant of Laoghaire, meaning calf-herder
- Prendergast – Descendant of Gaston
- Quinlan – Descendant of Caoinlean, meaning slender
- Ruane – Descendant of Ruán, meaning red
- Sammon – Descendant of Somán, meaning wealthy
- Sheerin – Descendant of Siodhrach, meaning peaceful
- Sinnott – Descendant of Sinach
- Sugrue – Descendant of Sugrach, meaning hero
- Twohig – Descendant of Dubhthach, meaning black
Uncommon Irish Last Names
Uncommon Irish last names are intriguing markers of lesser-known branches of Ireland’s vast family tree. While not as widespread, these surnames offer a distinctive connection to specific locales or historical narratives within the Isle.
- Aylward – Noble guardian
- Behan – Little bee
- Brophy – Descendant of Bruach
- Canning – Descendant of Canán, meaning possibly related to wolf cub
- Colgan – Descendant of little dove
- Costigan – Descendant of the little exalted one
- Cremin – Descendant of the little crooked one
- Culleton – Little corner, nook
- Davitt – Beloved, dear
- Devitt – Beloved, dear
- Dignam – Dignified
- Donlon – Descendant of the brown, meaning sullen one
- Dunphy – Descendant of Donnchadh, meaning brown warrior
- Feehan – Descendant of little wolf
- Flavin – Descendant of Flann, meaning red, ruddy
- Folan – Descendant of the wolf
- Foran – Descendant of the little dark one
- Frawley – Descendant of the valorous one
- Gahan – Descendant of Gathán, meaning little goth
- Geraghty – Descendant of short grace
- Gibney – Descendant of Gibne, meaning lock or curl of hair
- Gunning – Descendant of young warrior
- Hamill – Descendant of Hamhail, meaning scar
- Harkin – Descendant of young warrior
- Hassett – Descendant of Asadh, meaning easy-going, gentle
- Hearne – Descendant of Eaghra, meaning fear
- Hegarty – Descendant of Eachthighearna, meaning horse lord
- Hennigan – Descendant of Aingidh, meaning care, heed
- Hoban – Youth
- Horan – Descendant of the hero
- Houlihan – Descendant of Hoolahan, meaning proud
- Hynes – Descendant of Eidhin, meaning related to a landscape
- Langan – Descendant of long, meaning tall one
- Lanigan – Descendant of the spears defender
- Leahy – Descendant of Laochdha, meaning hero
- Lehane – Descendant of Leannán, meaning lover
- Lonergan – Descendant of brave warrior
- Looney – Descendant of bare, meaning thin man
- Lucey – Light
- Lydon – Descendant of lidhean, meaning beauty
- Lyne – Descendant of the fleet
- Marron – Descendant of Marán, meaning little one
- McArdle – Son of Ardghal, meaning high valor
- McElligott – Son of the devotee of God
- Moynihan – Descendant of Muimhneachán, meaning a Munsterman
- Mullan – Descendant of the bald one
- Neary – Descendant of warrior
- Rossiter – Rider, knight
- Sheils – Descendant of Sealbhaigh, meaning flame
- Slevin – Descendant of Sléibhín, meaning mountain
- Staunton – Descendant of the stone, meaning rock
- Walshe – Foreigner, Welshman
Old Irish Last Names
This list of Old Irish last names hearkens to the time when Gaelic was the only language of the land. These surnames are deeply entwined with the land and local legends.
- Aherne – Horse lord, master
- Bolger – Soft, tender
- Brogan – Descendant of shoe, meaning sorrow
- Callanan – Descendant of the little bright-headed one
- Casserly – Descendant of the curly-haired one
- Cogan – Descendant of young
- Conlan – Descendant of Conall, meaning strong wolf
- Cregan – Rocky place
- Croke – Descendant of the saffron-robed one
- Cunniffe – Descendant of the hound of the plain
- Delahunty – Descendant of the servant of the church
- Dermody – Descendant of Diarmaid, meaning without jealousy
- Dowdall – Descendant of dark stranger
- Eustace – Fruitful, meaning productive
- Fenlon – Descendant of Fionnall, meaning white, fair
- Fennell – Descendant of Fionnghall, meaning white valor
- Finucane – Descendant of Fionnagán, meaning fair, white
- FitzGibbon – Son of Gilbert
- FitzMaurice – Son of Maurice
- Garry – Descendant of Gadhra, meaning hound
- Gilroy – Descendant of Giolla Rua, meaning servant of the red-haired one
- Harmon – Descendant of Army
- Kehoe – Descendant of fire
- Kirwan – Small battle
- Lally – Descendant of talker, chatterer
- MacGrath – Son of grace, prosperity
- McCullagh – Descendant of Coileach, meaning cock, rooster
- McGarry – Descendant of short
- McGinn – Descendant of fair, meaning white
- McGlynn – Descendant of little stranger
- McKeown – Descendant of fire
- McQuillan – Descendant of cub
- Meagher – Descendant of hospitality, meaning kindness
- Mohan – Descendant of bear
- Mulvihill – Descendant of the follower of St. Bile
- Naughton – Descendant of the saint
- Neill – Descendant of Niall, meaning champion
- O’Keefe – Descendant of Caomh, meaning gentle
- O’Kelly – Descendant of Ceallach, meaning strife, contention
- O’Loughlin – Descendant of the Viking
- O’Mahoney – Descendant of Mathghamhna, meaning bear
- O’Mara – Descendant of the sea
- Oshea – Descendant of Seaghdha, meaning fine, stately
- Plunkett – Descendant of the pale, thin one
- Rafferty – Descendant of Rabhartach, meaning flood tide
- Raftery – Descendant of Raghallach
- Shanley – Descendant of Seanlaoch, meaning old hero
- Sheahan – Descendant of Siodhachán, meaning peaceful
- Tormey – Descendant of torment
- Tyrrell – Descendant of tirel, meaning iron ruler
Traditional Irish Last Names
Traditional Irish last names often have their roots in the Gaelic language and are associated with ancient clans and territories that have been integral to Irish society for centuries.
- Carew – From the Welsh caer fort
- Carmody – Descendant of Cearmaid, meaning charioteer
- Cawley – Descendant of Cadhla, meaning handsome
- Coakley – Descendant of Cochlach, meaning hooded
- Connelly – Descendant of Conaill, meaning strong as a wolf
- Cullinane – Descendant of Coileán, meaning young warrior
- Cunnane – Descendant of the hound of the plain
- Cusack – Watchful, meaning vigilant
- Doheny – Descendant of Donnchadh, meaning brown warrior
- Donohoe – Descendant of Donnchadh, meaning brown warrior
- Donohue – Descendant of Donnchadh, meaning brown warrior
- Dunlea – From the fortress meadow
- Fallon – Descendant of Fallamhán, meaning leader
- Finan – Descendant of Finán, meaning little fair one
- Finnegan – Descendant of Fionnagán, meaning fair, white
- Flannery – Descendant of Flannabhra, meaning red eyebrows
- Grady – Descendant of Grádaigh, meaning noble
- Halpin – Descendant of Helpén, meaning possibly related to salt
- Harnett – Descendant of Arndel, meaning Arnet
- Hartnett – Descendant of Art, meaning bear, hero
- Heffernan – Descendant of Ifearnán, meaning little demon
- Keegan – Descendant of Aodhagán, meaning little fire
- Kelliher – Descendant of Ceileachair, meaning companion dear
- Kennelly – Descendant of Cinnéidigh, meaning ugly head
- Keohane – Descendant of Eochaidh, meaning horse rider
- Lenihan – Descendant of Leannán, meaning lover
- Lennon – Descendant of Leannán, meaning cloak, blackbird
- Linehan – Descendant of Leannán, meaning lover
- McCormick – Son of Cormac, meaning charioteer
- McElhinney – Son of servant of St. Eighneach
- McGinley – Descendant of Coindealbhach, meaning valiant
- McInerney – Descendant of Enda, meaning birdlike
- McNulty – Descendant of Ultaigh, meaning Ulsterman
- Mulhall – Descendant of Maolhúil, meaning proud chieftain
- Mulhern – Descendant of Maolthuile, meaning servant of the will
- Mullally – Descendant of Maolualaigh, meaning servant of Lugh
- Mullane – Descendant of Maolán, meaning bald
- Mullin – Descendant of Maolán, meaning bald
- Murtagh – Descendant of Murchadh, meaning sea warrior
- O’Boyle – Descendant of Baoigheallach, meaning profitable pledges
- O’Doherty – Descendant of Dochartach, meaning obstructive
- O’Dowd – Descendant of Dubhda, meaning dark
- O’Flynn – Descendant of Flann, meaning red, ruddy
- O’Grady – Descendant of Grádaigh, meaning noble
- Rochford – From the ford of the roe deer
- Ronan – Descendant of Rónán, meaning little seal
- Rowan – Descendant of Ruadhán, meaning little red one
- Sheedy – Descendant of Síoda, meaning peace
- Sheeran – Descendant of Síorthach, meaning searcher, hawk-like
See more Irish Last Names Starting with O’
See more Irish Last Names Starting with Mc
More Lists:
Famous People with Irish Last Names
James Joyce is one of the 20th century’s most influential authors. His magnum opus, Ulysses, is an influential work in modernist literature. Born in Ireland in 1882, his writings span novels, poetry, and literary criticism. The surname Joyce comes from an Old French name derived from the Latin word ‘lodocus’, meaning lord.
Pierce Brosnan is a film producer and actor. Best known for his roles in films such as the James Bond series, he has a Hollywood Star and two Golden Globe nominations. Brosnan is a form of the surname Ó Brosnacháin, a geographic name referring to Brosna in County Kerry.
Conor McGregor is an Irish UFC champion, boxer, and mixed-martial artist. He was born in 1988 and is among the world’s highest-paid athletes today. McGregor is a form of MacGriogair, a Scottish Gaelic surname meaning ‘son of Gregory,’ which means ‘watchful.’
Oscar Wilde, a renowned poet and playwright, was born in Ireland in 1854. He wrote extensively on decadence, youth, and comedy; his most famous play, The Importance of Being Earnest, is still played today. The surname Wilde is a form of the Middle English name ‘wild,’ meaning ‘wild violent.’
Daniel O’Connell was born in Ireland in 1775, and during his lifetime, he was called ‘The Liberator’ for his political work in promoting the legal equality of Irish Catholics. He would create rallies over 100,000 strong to confront repressive British laws. O’Connell, spelled Ó Conaill in Irish, means ‘descendent of Connell,’ which means ‘wolf’ and ‘valor.’
References
Information from Ireland’s Central Statistics Office (CSO) which collects, analyses, and publishes information on Irish last names was used to collect this data.
Leave a Reply