Last Name Apostrophe: Meaning and Origins

Are you curious about the meaning and origin of last names with apostrophes? These unique names often signify lineage, place of origin, or a specific trait. This comprehensive guide explores the rich history and diverse interpretations behind these intriguing surnames. Whether you're researching your family history or simply fascinated by the nuances of names, this exploration will shed light on the fascinating world of last names with apostrophes.
1. **O'Brien:** This Irish surname, meaning "descendant of Brian," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Brian. It is one of the most common Irish surnames, signifying lineage from a prominent ancestor.

2. **D'Angelo:** This Italian surname, meaning "angel," is a patronymic, derived from the Italian word "angelo." It is a popular surname in Italy, signifying a connection to the heavenly being.

3. **MacDonald:** This Scottish surname, meaning "son of Donald," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Donald. It is a common surname in Scotland and other parts of the world, representing lineage from a prominent ancestor.

4. **McCarthy:** This Irish surname, meaning "son of Carthaigh," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Carthaigh. It is a common surname in Ireland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from a prominent ancestor.

5. **O'Neill:** This Irish surname, meaning "descendant of Niall," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Niall. It is a common surname in Ireland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from a prominent ancestor.

6. **Fitzgerald:** This Irish surname, meaning "son of Gerald," is a patronymic, derived from the Germanic name Gerald. It is a common surname in Ireland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from a prominent ancestor.

7. **O'Connor:** This Irish surname, meaning "descendant of Conor," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Conor. It is a common surname in Ireland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from a prominent ancestor.

8. **D'Souza:** This Indian surname, meaning "son of Souza," is a patronymic, derived from the Portuguese word "Souza." It is a common surname in India, signifying lineage from a Portuguese ancestor.

9. **O'Reilly:** This Irish surname, meaning "descendant of Raghallaigh," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Raghallaigh. It is a common surname in Ireland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from a prominent ancestor.

10. **MacIntyre:** This Scottish surname, meaning "son of the carpenter," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic words "mac" and "an t-saoir." It is a common surname in Scotland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from a carpenter ancestor.

11. **O'Malley:** This Irish surname, meaning "descendant of Maol Mhuire," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Maol Mhuire. It is a common surname in Ireland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from a prominent ancestor.

12. **MacGregor:** This Scottish surname, meaning "son of Gregor," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Gregor. It is a common surname in Scotland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from a prominent ancestor.

13. **O'Donnell:** This Irish surname, meaning "descendant of Donnchadh," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Donnchadh. It is a common surname in Ireland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from a prominent ancestor.

14. **D'Agostino:** This Italian surname, meaning "Augustine," is a patronymic, derived from the Latin name "Augustinus." It is a common surname in Italy, signifying lineage from an ancestor named Augustine.

15. **MacKenzie:** This Scottish surname, meaning "son of Kenneth," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Kenneth. It is a common surname in Scotland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from a prominent ancestor.

16. **O'Hara:** This Irish surname, meaning "descendant of Oisín," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Oisín. It is a common surname in Ireland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from a prominent ancestor.

17. **D'Ambrosio:** This Italian surname, meaning "ambrosia," is a patronymic, derived from the Greek word "ambrosia." It is a common surname in Italy, signifying lineage from an ancestor associated with the divine food of the gods.

18. **MacLean:** This Scottish surname, meaning "son of John," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Iain. It is a common surname in Scotland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from a prominent ancestor.

19. **O'Rourke:** This Irish surname, meaning "descendant of Ruaidhrí," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Ruaidhrí. It is a common surname in Ireland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from a prominent ancestor.

20. **D'Alessandro:** This Italian surname, meaning "Alexander," is a patronymic, derived from the Greek name "Alexandros." It is a common surname in Italy, signifying lineage from an ancestor named Alexander.

21. **MacAllister:** This Scottish surname, meaning "son of Alasdair," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Alasdair. It is a common surname in Scotland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from a prominent ancestor.

22. **O'Shaughnessy:** This Irish surname, meaning "descendant of Seán Óg," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Seán Óg. It is a common surname in Ireland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from a prominent ancestor.

23. **D'Amico:** This Italian surname, meaning "friend," is a patronymic, derived from the Italian word "amico." It is a common surname in Italy, signifying lineage from a friend or companion.

24. **MacArthur:** This Scottish surname, meaning "son of the bear," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic words "mac" and "art." It is a common surname in Scotland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from an ancestor associated with bears.

25. **O'Brien:** This Irish surname, meaning "descendant of Brian," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Brian. It is one of the most common Irish surnames, signifying lineage from a prominent ancestor.

26. **D'Andrea:** This Italian surname, meaning "Andrew," is a patronymic, derived from the Greek name "Andreas." It is a common surname in Italy, signifying lineage from an ancestor named Andrew.

27. **MacDonald:** This Scottish surname, meaning "son of Donald," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Donald. It is a common surname in Scotland and other parts of the world, representing lineage from a prominent ancestor.

28. **O'Connor:** This Irish surname, meaning "descendant of Conor," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Conor. It is a common surname in Ireland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from a prominent ancestor.

29. **D'Agostino:** This Italian surname, meaning "Augustine," is a patronymic, derived from the Latin name "Augustinus." It is a common surname in Italy, signifying lineage from an ancestor named Augustine.

30. **MacKenzie:** This Scottish surname, meaning "son of Kenneth," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Kenneth. It is a common surname in Scotland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from a prominent ancestor.

31. **O'Reilly:** This Irish surname, meaning "descendant of Raghallaigh," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Raghallaigh. It is a common surname in Ireland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from a prominent ancestor.

32. **D'Angelo:** This Italian surname, meaning "angel," is a patronymic, derived from the Italian word "angelo." It is a popular surname in Italy, signifying a connection to the heavenly being.

33. **MacIntyre:** This Scottish surname, meaning "son of the carpenter," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic words "mac" and "an t-saoir." It is a common surname in Scotland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from a carpenter ancestor.

34. **O'Malley:** This Irish surname, meaning "descendant of Maol Mhuire," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Maol Mhuire. It is a common surname in Ireland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from a prominent ancestor.

35. **D'Amico:** This Italian surname, meaning "friend," is a patronymic, derived from the Italian word "amico." It is a common surname in Italy, signifying lineage from a friend or companion.

36. **MacGregor:** This Scottish surname, meaning "son of Gregor," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Gregor. It is a common surname in Scotland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from a prominent ancestor.

37. **O'Donnell:** This Irish surname, meaning "descendant of Donnchadh," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Donnchadh. It is a common surname in Ireland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from a prominent ancestor.

38. **MacLean:** This Scottish surname, meaning "son of John," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Iain. It is a common surname in Scotland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from a prominent ancestor.

39. **O'Rourke:** This Irish surname, meaning "descendant of Ruaidhrí," is a patronymic, derived from the Gaelic name Ruaidhrí. It is a common surname in Ireland and other parts of the world, signifying lineage from a prominent ancestor.

40. **D'Alessandro:** This Italian surname, meaning "Alexander," is a patronymic, derived from the Greek name "Alexandros." It is a common surname in Italy, signifying lineage from an ancestor named Alexander.