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    You are at:Home » News » Culture » REVEALED: Top 100 Irish surnames and meanings
    Culture News

    REVEALED: Top 100 Irish surnames and meanings

    Meanwhile in IrelandBy Meanwhile in IrelandOctober 23, 2014No Comments4 Mins Read
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    surnamesconfusing

    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
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