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    You are at:Home » News » Culture » Top 100 Irish surnames and last names (family names ranked)
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    Top 100 Irish surnames and last names (family names ranked)

    Meanwhile in Ireland TeamBy Meanwhile in Ireland TeamJune 8, 2020No Comments6 Mins Read
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    Top 100 Irish surnames and last names (family names ranked)

    Did your family name make the list? Check out our list of the most popular Irish surnames and their meanings and see where you ranked.

    Have you ever wondered who your ancestors were, what they looked like, what their profession was, and where they came from? Don’t feel like paying a hefty fee to get you DNA tested? Have no fear. Your Irish surname could give your insight into these questions and more.

    Due to mass immigration during the Great Famine, as well as war and conflict, you’re likely to find families with Irish surnames in almost any country in the world. But how can our surnames tell us about where we came from?

    The truth is, surnames are a fairly new practice in Ireland, and centuries ago, your ancestors most likely didn’t have one. Initially, families would have been known by aspects of their physical appearance or their life, for example, their hair colour or the complexion of their skin. They could be known for the profession held by their patriarch or matriarch, or perhaps where they had travelled to Ireland from.

    Check out our list of the top 100 Irish surnames and second names and their meanings below.

    Top 1-50 Irish Surnames

    1. Murphy

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Murchadha

    Meaning: Sea-battler

    2. Kelly

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Ceallaigh

    Meaning: Bright-headed

    3. O’Sullivan

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Súilleabháin

    Meaning: Dark-eyed

    4. Walsh

    Gaelic Equivalent: Breathnach

    Meaning: Welshman

    5. Smith

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Gabhann

    Meaning: Son of the smith

    6. O’Brien

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Briain

    Meaning: High, noble

    7. Byrne

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Broin

    Meaning: A raven

    See where Byrne ranks on this article of the top 10 Irish surnames in the USA and their meanings, and how it ranks as one of the most stereotypical Irish surnames.

    8. Ryan

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Maoilriain

    Meaning: King

    9. O’Connor

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Conchobhair

    Meaning: Patron of warriors

    10. O’Neill

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Néill

    Meaning: From Niall

    11. O’Reilly

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Raghallaigh

    Meaning: The nine hostages

    12. Doyle

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Dubhghaill

    Meaning: Dark foreigner

    13. McCarthy

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Carthaigh

    Meaning: Loving person

    14. Gallagher

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Gallchobhair

    Meaning: Lover of foreigners

    15. O’Doherty

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Dochartaigh

    Meaning: Hurtful

    16. Kennedy

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Cinnéide

    Meaning: Helmet headed

    17. Lynch

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Loinsigh

    Meaning: Seafarer, exile

    18. Murray

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Muireadhaigh

    Meaning: Lord, master

    There are, however, some in danger. Check out this article on the top 20 Irish surnames that are disappearing.

    19. Quinn

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Cuinn

    Meaning: Wisdom, chief

    20. Moore

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Mordha

    Meaning: Majestic

    21. McLoughlin

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Lochlainn

    Meaning: Viking

    22. O’Carroll

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Cearbhaill

    Meaning: Valorous in battle

    23. Connolly

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Conghaile

    Meaning: Fierce as a hound

    24. Daly

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Dálaigh

    Meaning: Assembles frequently

    25. O’Connell

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Conaill

    Meaning: Strong as a wolf

    26. Wilson

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Liam

    Meaning: Son of William

    27. Dunne

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Duinn

    Meaning: Brown

    28. Brennan

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Braonáin

    Meaning: Sorrow

    29. Burke

    Gaelic Equivalent: de Búrca

    Meaning: from Richard de Burgh

    30. Collins

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Coileáin

    Meaning: Young warrior

    31. Campbell

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Cathmhaoil

    Meaning: Crooked mouth

    32. Clarke

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Cléirigh

    Meaning: Clergyman

    33. Johnston

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Seáin

    Meaning: Son of John

    34. Hughes

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó hAodha

    Meaning: Fire

    35. O’Farrell

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Fearghail

    Meaning: Man of valour

    36. Fitzgerald

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Gearailt

    Meaning: Spear rule

    37. Brown

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mac an Bhreithiún

    Meaning: Son of the brehon (judge)

    38. Martin

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Giolla Mháirtín

    Meaning: Devotee of Saint Martin

    39. Maguire

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mag Uidhir

    Meaning: Dun-coloured

    40. Nolan

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Nualláin

    Meaning: Famous

    41. Flynn

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Floinn

    Meaning: Bright red

    42. Thompson

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Tomáis

    Meaning: Son of Thom

    43. O’Callaghan

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Ceallacháin

    Meaning: Bright headed

    44. O’Donnell

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Domhnaill

    Meaning: World-mighty

    45. Duffy

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Dufaigh

    Meaning: Dark, black

    46. O’Mahony

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Mathúna

    Meaning: Bear-calf

    47. Boyle

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Baoill

    Meaning: Vain pledge

    48. Healy

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó hÉalaighthe

    Meaning: Artistic, scientific

    49. O’Shea

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Séaghdha

    Meaning: Of fair complexion

    50. White

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Giolla Bháin

    Meaning: Of fair complexion

    Top 51-100 Irish Surnames

    51. Sweeney

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Suibhne

    Meaning: Pleasant

    52. Hayes

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó hAodha

    Meaning: Fire

    53. Kavanagh

    Gaelic Equivalent: Caomhánach

    Meaning: Comely, mild

    54. Power

    Gaelic Equivalent: de Paor

    Meaning: The poor man

    55. McGrath

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Craith

    Meaning: Son of grace

    56. Moran

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Móráin

    Meaning: Great

    57. Brady

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Brádaigh

    Meaning: Spirited

    58. Stewart

    Gaelic Equivalent: Stiobhard

    Meaning: One who superintends

    59. Casey

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Cathasaigh

    Meaning: Vigilant in war, watchful

    60. Foley

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Foghladh

    Meaning: A plunderer

    61. Fitzpatrick

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Giolla Phádraig

    Meaning: Devotee of Saint Patrick

    62.  O’Leary

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Laoghaire

    Meaning: Calf-herd

    63.  McDonnell

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Domhnaill

    Meaning: World-mighty

    64. MacMahon

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Mathúna

    Meaning: Bear-calf

    65. Donnelly

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Donnghaile

    Meaning: Brown valour

    66. Regan

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Riagáin

    Meaning: Little king

    67. Donovan

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Donnabháin

    Meaning: Brown, black

    68. Burns

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Broin

    Meaning: from Scottish Burness

    69. Flanagan

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Flannagáin

    Meaning: Red, ruddy

    70. Mullan

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Maoláin

    Meaning: Bald

    71. Barry

    Gaelic Equivalent: de Barra

    Meaning: Cambro-Norman name

    72. Kane

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Catháin

    Meaning: Battler

    73. Robinson

    Meaning: Son of Robert

    74. Cunningham

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Cuinneagáin

    Meaning: Scottish name

    75. Griffin

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Gríofa

    Meaning: (Welsh) Gruffudd

    76. Kenny

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Cionaoith

    Meaning: Fire sprung

    77. Sheehan

    Gaelic Equivalent: O’Siodhachain

    Meaning: Peaceful

    78. Ward

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mac an Bhaird

    Meaning: Son of the bard

    79. Whelan

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Faoláin

    Meaning: Wolf

    80. Lyons

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Laighin

    Meaning: Grey

    81. Reid

    Gaelic Equivalent: Maoildearg

    Meaning: Red haired / ruddy complexion

    82. Graham

    Gaelic Equivalent: Greachán

    Meaning: Grey home

    83. Higgins

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó hUiginn

    meaning: Viking, sea-rover

    84. Cullen

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Cuilinn

    Meaning: Holy

    85. Keane

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Catháin

    Meaning: Distant, long

    86. King

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Cionga

    Meaning: Ruler

    87. Maher

    Gaelic Equivalent: Meagher

    Meaning: Fine, majestic

    88. MacKenna

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Cionaoith

    Meaning: Fire-sprung

    89. Bell

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Giolla Mhaoil

    Meaning: Servant of the devotee

    90. Scott

    Gaelic Equivalent: Albanach

    Meaning: a Scottish gael

    91. Hogan

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó hÓgáin

    Meaning: Young

    92. O’Keeffe

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Caoimh

    Meaning: Gentle

    93. Magee

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mag Aoidh

    Meaning: Fire

    94. MacNamara

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Conmara

    Meaning: Hound of the sea

    95. MacDonald

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Dónaill

    Meaning: World-mighty

    96. MacDermott

    Gaelic Equivalent: Mac Diarmada

    Meaning: Free from jealousy

    97. Molony

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Maolomhnaigh

    Meaning: Servant of the Church

    98. O’Rourke

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Ruairc

    Meaning: Descendant of Ruarc

    99. Buckley

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Buachalla

    Meaning: Cow herd

    100. O’Dwyer

    Gaelic Equivalent: Ó Dubhuir

    Meaning: Black

    That concludes are list of Irish surnames, their meanings and their Irish language equivalent. Did your name appear along the way?

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    Meanwhile in Ireland Team

    The Meanwhile in Ireland team is dedicated to bringing you the best in Irish humour, news, and viral content. Since our launch in 2014, we’ve amassed over 900,000 social media followers and hundreds of thousands of annual readers. Our mission is to entertain with our trademark dry Irish humour, satire, and sarcasm while also sharing Ireland’s unique culture and current affairs. Our writers, all native or long-time residents of Ireland, deliver authentic, high-quality articles recognised by award organisations in Ireland and the UK. Enjoy the craic!

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