Surnames, passed through the ages, create a bridge to our ancestors. Many of us may have roots that stretch far beyond our current homes, and surnames offer a fascinating glimpse into our heritage. Due to a long history of emigration, Irish surnames can be found all over the world. You might recognize some iconic examples like Conan O’Brien or the Kennedy family. Yet, there are countless others that reflect Ireland’s rich clan heritage, showcasing how deeply intertwined family is with identity.
Dive into our collection of popular Irish last names, their Gaelic spellings, and what they signify. If your family name appears below, it’s a perfect opportunity to reconnect with your lineage!
Notable Irish Last Names
- Murphy
Irish Spelling: Ó Murchadha
Meaning: Descendant of Murchadh, a warrior of the sea. - O’Brien
Irish Spelling: Ó Briain
Meaning: Descendant of Brian Boru, Ireland’s esteemed High King. - Kennedy
Irish Spelling: Ó Cinnéide
Meaning: Descendant of Cennétig Mac Lorcáin, father to Brian Boru. - O’Reilly
Irish Spelling: Ó Raghallaigh
Meaning: Descendant of Raghallach, King of Connacht. - O’Neill
Irish Spelling: Ó Néill
Meaning: Descendant of Niall Noigiallach, an Irish monarch. - Smith/McGowan
Irish Spelling: Mac Gabhann
Meaning: Son of the blacksmith. - O’Rourke
Irish Spelling: Ó Ruairc
Meaning: Descendant of Ruarc, King of Bréifne. - Walsh
Irish Spelling: Breathnach
Meaning: Welshman. - Murray
Irish Spelling: Ó Muireadhaigh
Meaning: Descendant of Muireadhaigh, a seafarer. - Collins
Irish Spelling: Ó Coileáin
Meaning: Descendant of the youthful warrior. - Sheeran
Irish Spelling: Ó Síorán
Meaning: Descendant of Sírín. - O’Sullivan
Irish Spelling: Ó Súilleabháin
Meaning: Descendant of the dark-eyed one. - McCarthy
Irish Spelling: Mac Carthaigh
Meaning: Son of Cárthach, a King in Munster. - Lynch
Irish Spelling: Ó Loinsigh
Meaning: Descendant of Loingseach, a mariner. - Fitzpatrick
Irish Spelling: Mac Giolla Phádraig
Meaning: Follower of Saint Patrick. - Sweeney
Irish Spelling: Mac Suibhne
Meaning: Son of Suibhne, a Scottish lord whose lineage came to Ireland. - Regan
Irish Spelling: Ó Riagáin
Meaning: Descendant of Riagáin, with two clans linked to Brian Boru and the ruling family of Meath. - O’Leary
Irish Spelling: Ó Laoghaire
Meaning: Descendant of Laoghaire, a keeper of calves. - Mullan/Mullen/Mullins
Irish Spelling: Ó Maoláin
Meaning: Descendant of Maelan, King of Maigh Seóla. - Mulligan
Irish Spelling: Ó Maolagain
Meaning: Descendant of the bald man. - Ryan
Irish Spelling: Ó Riain
Meaning: Descendant of Riain, a king. - Quinn
Irish Spelling: Ó Cuinn
Meaning: Descendant of Conn, a wise leader. - Kelly
Irish Spelling: Ó Ceallaigh
Meaning: Descendant of Ceallach, associated with war or conflict. - Whelan
Irish Spelling: Ó Faoláin
Meaning: Of the wolf. - Maher
Irish Spelling: Ó Meachair/Meagher
Meaning: Of the generous or hospitable. - Hogan
Irish Spelling: Ó hÓgáin
Meaning: Of youth. - O’Keeffe
Irish Spelling: Ó Caoimh
Meaning: Of the noble or gentle. - O’Dwyer
Irish Spelling: Ó Dubhuir
Meaning: Black. - Buckley
Irish Spelling: Ó Buachalla
Meaning: Descendant of the cowherd. - McDermott
Irish Spelling: Mac Diarmada
Meaning: Son of Diarmait, a King. - O’Connor
Irish Spelling: Ó Conchobhair
Meaning: Descendant of Conchubhair Donn, another King of Connacht. - Dunne
Irish Spelling: Ó Duinn
Meaning: Brown. - Donovan
Irish Spelling: Ó Donnabháin
Meaning: Brown-black. - Lyons/Lyne
Irish Spelling: Ó Laighin
Meaning: Of the spear. - Donnelly
Irish Spelling: Ó Donnghaile
Meaning: Brown valor. - McMahon
Irish Spelling: Mac Mathúna
Meaning: Son of Mathghamhna, clan chief in Aran. - Casey
Irish Spelling: Ó Cathasaigh
Meaning: Vigilant and watchful. - Kenny
Irish Spelling: Ó Cionaoith
Meaning: Born of fire. - Foley
Irish Spelling: Ó Foghladh
Meaning: Plunderer. - Cleary/Clarke
Irish Spelling: Ó Cléirigh
Meaning: Descendant of the clerk or cleric. - Duffy
Irish Spelling: Ó Dufaigh/Ó Dubhthaigh
Meaning: Black. - Moore
Irish Spelling: Ó Mordha, Muir, Moir
Meaning: Grand or of the sea. - Brennan
Irish Spelling: Ó Braonáin/Ó Branáin
Meaning: Ó Braonáin means of the droplet; Ó Branáin means of the raven. - Doyle
Irish Spelling: Ó Dubhghaile
Meaning: Descendant of Dubhghal, meaning black valor. - Gallagher
Irish Spelling: Ó Gallchobhair
Meaning: Descendant of Gallchobhar, an Irish king. - McLoughlin
Irish Spelling: Mac Lochlainn
Meaning: Son of the vikings. - Daly
Irish Spelling: Ó Dálaigh
Meaning: Of the assembly. - Boyle
Irish Spelling: Ó Baoill
Meaning: Vain pledge. - O’Shea
Irish Spelling: Ó Séaghdha
Meaning: Descendant of the majestic. - Farrell
Irish Spelling: Ó Ferghail
Meaning: Man of valor. - Barry
Irish Spelling: O’ Baire
Meaning: Fair-headed or sharp. - Campbell
Irish Spelling: Caimbeul
Meaning: Crooked mouth.
This article was originally published on November 20, 2019. If you’re interested in exploring more about home insemination, check out our other posts like this one. For a detailed guide on artificial insemination, visit this authority site, or learn about IVF through this excellent resource.
Summary
This collection of over 50 popular Irish last names illustrates the rich heritage and familial connections that these surnames represent. Each name carries a story, often linked to historical figures or traits, allowing individuals to connect with their ancestry.
Keyphrase: Irish last names
Tags: [“home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”]