When you read a surname such as O’Neill, Kennedy or Gallagher, you instantly know they are Irish or of Irish descent. Irish people have influenced the world and their surnames have become well recognised and associated with the Emerald Isle.
Surnames today: There are many different origins for Irish names today but the vast majority can be broken down into either of three categories: Gaelic Irish, Cambro-Norman, and finally Anglo-Irish.
It always prompts the question, which names are the most common Irish surnames? Find out here. The Table below gives a listing of the 100 most commonly names found in Ireland and their meanings:
| Rank | Name | Gaelic Equivalent | Meaning |
| 1 | Murphy | ó Murchadha | sea-battler |
| 2 | Kelly | ó Ceallaigh | bright-headed |
| 3 | O’Sullivan | ó Súilleabháin | dark-eyed |
| 4 | Walsh | Breathnach | Welshman |
| 5 | Smith | Mac Gabhann | son of the smith |
| 6 | O’Brien | ó Briain | high, noble |
| 7 | Byrne | ó Broin | a raven |
| 8 | Ryan | ó Maoilriain | king |
| 9 | O’Connor | ó Conchobhair | patron of warriors |
| 10 | O’Neill | ó Néill | from Niall of the Nine Hostages |
| 11 | O’Reilly | ó Raghallaigh | |
| 12 | Doyle | ó Dubhghaill | dark foreigner |
| 13 | McCarthy | Mac Carthaigh | loving person |
| 14 | Gallagher | ó Gallchobhair | lover of foreigners |
| 15 | O’Doherty | ó Dochartaigh | hurtful |
| 16 | Kennedy | ó Cinnéide | helmet headed |
| 17 | Lynch | ó Loinsigh | seafarer, exile |
| 18 | Murray | ó Muireadhaigh | lord, master |
| 19 | Quinn | ó Cuinn | wisdom, chief |
| 20 | Moore | ó Mordha | majestic |
| 21 | McLoughlin | Mac Lochlainn | viking |
| 22 | O’Carroll | ó Cearbhaill | valorous in battle |
| 23 | Connolly | ó Conghaile | fierce as a hound |
| 24 | Daly | ó Dálaigh | assembles frequently |
| 25 | O’Connell | ó Conaill | strong as a wolf |
| 26 | Wilson | Mac Liam | son of William |
| 27 | Dunne | ó Duinn | brown |
| 28 | Brennan | ó Braonáin | sorrow |
| 29 | Burke | de Búrca | from Richard de Burgh |
| 30 | Collins | ó Coileáin | young warrior |
| 31 | Campbell | crooked mouth | |
| 32 | Clarke | óCléirigh | clergyman |
| 33 | Johnston | Mac Seáin | son of John |
| 34 | Hughes | ó hAodha | fire |
| 35 | O’Farrell | ó Fearghail | man of valour |
| 36 | Fitzgerald | Mac Gearailt | spear rule |
| 37 | Brown | Mac an Bhreithiún | son of the brehon (judge) |
| 38 | Martin | Mac Giolla Mháirtín | devotee of Saint Martin |
| 39 | Maguire | Mag Uidhir | dun-coloured |
| 40 | Nolan | ó Nualláin | famous |
| 41 | Flynn | ó Floinn | bright red |
| 42 | Thompson | Mac Tomáis | son of Thom |
| 43 | O’Callaghan | ó Ceallacháin | bright headed |
| 44 | O’Donnell | ó Domhnaill | world-mighty |
| 45 | Duffy | ó Dufaigh | dark, black |
| 46 | O’Mahony | ó Mathúna | bear-calf |
| 47 | Boyle | ó Baoill | vain pledge |
| 48 | Healy | ó hÉalaighthe | artistic, scientific |
| 49 | O’Shea | ó Séaghdha | fine, stately |
| 50 | White | Mac Giolla Bháin | of fair complexion |
| 51 | Sweeney | Mac Suibhne | pleasant |
| 52 | Hayes | ó hAodha | fire |
| 53 | Kavanagh | Caomhánach | comely, mild |
| 54 | Power | de Paor | the poor man |
| 55 | McGrath | Mac Craith | son of grace |
| 56 | Moran | ó Móráin | great |
| 57 | Brady | Mac Brádaigh | spirited |
| 58 | Stewart | Stiobhard | one who superintends |
| 59 | Casey | ó Cathasaigh | vigilant in war, watchful |
| 60 | Foley | ó Foghladh | a plunderer |
| 61 | Fitzpatrick | Mac Giolla Phádraig | devotee of Saint Patrick |
| 62 | O’Leary | ó Laoghaire | calf-herd |
| 63 | McDonnell | Mac Domhnaill | world-mighty |
| 64 | MacMahon | Mac Mathúna | bear-calf |
| 65 | Donnelly | ó Donnghaile | brown valour |
| 66 | Regan | ó Riagáin | little king |
| 67 | Donovan | ó Donnabháin | brown, black |
| 68 | Burns | from Scottish Burness | |
| 69 | Flanagan | ó Flannagáin | red, ruddy |
| 70 | Mullan | ó Maoláin | bald |
| 71 | Barry | de Barra | Cambro-Norman name |
| 72 | Kane | ó Catháin | battler |
| 73 | Robinson | son of Robert | |
| 74 | Cunningham | Scottish name | |
| 75 | Griffin | ó Gríofa | Welsh: Gruffudd |
| 76 | Kenny | ó Cionaoith | fire sprung |
| 77 | Sheehan | O’Siodhachain | peaceful |
| 78 | Ward | Mac an Bhaird | son of the bard |
| 79 | Whelan | ó Faoláin | wolf |
| 80 | Lyons | ó Laighin | grey |
| 81 | Reid | red haired, ruddy complexion |
|
| 82 | Graham | grey home | |
| 83 | Higgins | ó hUiginn | |
| 84 | Cullen | ó Cuilinn | holly |
| 85 | Keane | Mac Catháin | |
| 86 | King | ó Cionga | |
| 87 | Maher | Meagher | fine, majestic |
| 88 | MacKenna | Mac Cionaoith | fire-sprung |
| 89 | Bell | Mac Giolla Mhaoil | |
| 90 | Scott | a Scottish gael | |
| 91 | Hogan | ó hÓgáin | young |
| 92 | O’Keeffe | ó Caoimh | gentle |
| 93 | Magee | Mag Aoidh | fire |
| 94 | MacNamara | Mac Conmara | hound of the sea |
| 95 | MacDonald | Mac Dónaill | world-mighty |
| 96 | MacDermott | Mac Diarmada | free from jealousy |
| 97 | Molony | ó Maolomhnaigh | servant of the Church |
| 98 | O’Rourke | ó Ruairc | |
| 99 | Buckley | ó Buachalla | cow herd |
| 100 | O’Dwyer | ó Dubhuir | black |
