Celtic Last Names: A Guide to Meaning and Origin

Celtic last names, steeped in history and rich in meaning, offer a unique window into the cultures and languages of ancient Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Brittany. These surnames, often derived from place names, occupations, or personal characteristics, carry within them stories of bravery, wisdom, and resilience. Discover the fascinating origins and meanings behind these distinctive Celtic last names, tracing their lineage back to the ancient Celts and their enduring legacy.
1. **Abernathy:** From the Gaelic "Abhainn a' Bhathaidh," meaning "river of the ford."
2. **Ainslie:** From the Gaelic "Aonghas" (Angus) and "lì," meaning "meadow," resulting in "Angus's meadow."
3. **Armstrong:** Derived from the Old English "arm" and "strong," meaning "strong arm."
4. **Arnott:** From the Gaelic "Ard" (high) and "nat" (nest), meaning "high nest."
5. **Barclay:** From the Gaelic "Baile" (town) and "Cluaise" (ear), meaning "town of the ear."
6. **Beattie:** From the Gaelic "Beatha" (life), meaning "life, living one."
7. **Bell:** From the Gaelic "Bealltainn" (May), meaning "May, Beltane."
8. **Bennett:** From the Gaelic "Beannachd" (blessing), meaning "blessing."
9. **Black:** From the Gaelic "Dubh" (black), meaning "black."
10. **Blair:** From the Gaelic "Blàr," meaning "field."
11. **Campbell:** From the Gaelic "Caimbeul," meaning "crooked mouth."
12. **Cameron:** From the Gaelic "Cam" (crooked) and "sròn" (nose), meaning "crooked nose."
13. **Carmichael:** From the Gaelic "Car" (love) and "mic" (son), meaning "son of love."
14. **Carson:** From the Gaelic "Cairistiona," meaning "little beloved."
15. **Cassidy:** From the Gaelic "Caissíde," meaning "curly-haired."
16. **Chapman:** From the Gaelic "Ceann" (head) and "màthair" (mother), meaning "head of the family."
17. **Clark:** From the Gaelic "Clàr," meaning "scribe."
18. **Cleland:** From the Gaelic "Cill" (church) and "Eilean" (island), meaning "church on the island."
19. **Connolly:** From the Gaelic "Conchobhar," meaning "wolf."
20. **Cunningham:** From the Gaelic "Cù" (dog) and "Inghean" (daughter), meaning "daughter of the dog."
21. **Davidson:** From the Gaelic "Dàibhidh" (David), meaning "beloved."
22. **Doherty:** From the Gaelic "Ó Dochartaigh," meaning "descendant of Dochartach."
23. **Donaldson:** From the Gaelic "Dòmhnall" (Donald), meaning "world ruler."
24. **Douglas:** From the Gaelic "Dubh" (black) and "glas" (grey), meaning "black and grey."
25. **Duncan:** From the Gaelic "Donnchadh," meaning "dark-haired."
26. **Edwards:** From the Gaelic "Edwart," meaning "wealthy guardian."
27. **Ferguson:** From the Gaelic "Fearghas" (Fergus), meaning "strong man."
28. **Finlay:** From the Gaelic "Fionnlagh," meaning "fair warrior."
29. **Fitzgerald:** From the Gaelic "Fitz" (son) and "Gerald," meaning "son of Gerald."
30. **Fleming:** From the Gaelic "Flaith" (lord) and "m'ing" (son), meaning "son of the lord."
31. **Fraser:** From the Gaelic "Fraiser," meaning "strawberry."
32. **Gallagher:** From the Gaelic "Ó Gallachair," meaning "descendant of Gallacher."
33. **Gibson:** From the Gaelic "Gib" (John) and "son," meaning "son of John."
34. **Gilchrist:** From the Gaelic "Gille" (servant) and "Crìosd" (Christ), meaning "servant of Christ."
35. **Gordon:** From the Gaelic "Goirdan," meaning "a great stronghold."
36. **Graham:** From the Gaelic "Greamh" (gravel), meaning "gravelly."
37. **Grant:** From the Gaelic "Grannt," meaning "big."
38. **Gray:** From the Gaelic "Grá," meaning "love."
39. **Hamilton:** From the Gaelic "Hamiltoun," meaning "hill of the little one."
40. **Harris:** From the Gaelic "Haris," meaning "son of Harry."
41. **Harvey:** From the Gaelic "Harf," meaning "harp."
42. **Henderson:** From the Gaelic "Iain" (John) and "son," meaning "son of John."
43. **Henry:** From the Gaelic "Henrici," meaning "ruler of the house."
44. **Hunter:** From the Gaelic "Huntair," meaning "hunter."
45. **Inglis:** From the Gaelic "Eilean" (island), meaning "island."
46. **Irvine:** From the Gaelic "Iorras" (promontory), meaning "promontory."
47. **Jackson:** From the Gaelic "Seumas" (James), meaning "supplanter."
48. **Jameson:** From the Gaelic "Seumas" (James), meaning "supplanter."
49. **Johnston:** From the Gaelic "Iain" (John) and "son," meaning "son of John."
50. **Kennedy:** From the Gaelic "Cinnéide," meaning "fiery-headed."
51. **Kerr:** From the Gaelic "Ceàrr," meaning "twist."
52. **King:** From the Gaelic "Rí," meaning "king."
53. **Kirk:** From the Gaelic "Cille," meaning "church."
54. **Laird:** From the Gaelic "Lard," meaning "lord."
55. **Lambert:** From the Gaelic "Lanfranc," meaning "bright spear."
56. **Lang:** From the Gaelic "Long," meaning "long."
57. **Lawson:** From the Gaelic "Law," meaning "hill."
58. **Lee:** From the Gaelic "Lì," meaning "meadow."
59. **Leith:** From the Gaelic "Leath," meaning "half."
60. **Logan:** From the Gaelic "Loch" (lake) and "an" (the), meaning "lake."
61. **Macdonald:** From the Gaelic "Mac" (son) and "Dòmhnall" (Donald), meaning "son of Donald."
62. **MacGregor:** From the Gaelic "Mac" (son) and "Griogair" (Gregory), meaning "son of Gregory."
63. **Mackenzie:** From the Gaelic "Mac" (son) and "Coinneach" (Kenneth), meaning "son of Kenneth."
64. **Maclean:** From the Gaelic "Mac" (son) and "Lauchlan," meaning "son of Lachlan."
65. **MacNeil:** From the Gaelic "Mac" (son) and "Niall," meaning "son of Niall."
66. **Maxwell:** From the Gaelic "Mac" (son) and "Uisdeil" (Hugh), meaning "son of Hugh."
67. **Mcdonald:** From the Gaelic "Mac" (son) and "Dòmhnall" (Donald), meaning "son of Donald."
68. **McGregor:** From the Gaelic "Mac" (son) and "Griogair" (Gregory), meaning "son of Gregory."
69. **Mackenzie:** From the Gaelic "Mac" (son) and "Coinneach" (Kenneth), meaning "son of Kenneth."
70. **Maclean:** From the Gaelic "Mac" (son) and "Lauchlan," meaning "son of Lachlan."
71. **MacNeil:** From the Gaelic "Mac" (son) and "Niall," meaning "son of Niall."
72. **Maxwell:** From the Gaelic "Mac" (son) and "Uisdeil" (Hugh), meaning "son of Hugh."
73. **Martin:** From the Gaelic "Martin," meaning "warlike."
74. **Matthews:** From the Gaelic "Mathe," meaning "gift of God."
75. **Mcdonald:** From the Gaelic "Mac" (son) and "Dòmhnall" (Donald), meaning "son of Donald."
76. **McGregor:** From the Gaelic "Mac" (son) and "Griogair" (Gregory), meaning "son of Gregory."
77. **Mackenzie:** From the Gaelic "Mac" (son) and "Coinneach" (Kenneth), meaning "son of Kenneth."
78. **Maclean:** From the Gaelic "Mac" (son) and "Lauchlan," meaning "son of Lachlan."
79. **MacNeil:** From the Gaelic "Mac" (son) and "Niall," meaning "son of Niall."
80. **Maxwell:** From the Gaelic "Mac" (son) and "Uisdeil" (Hugh), meaning "son of Hugh."
81. **Miller:** From the Gaelic "Millear," meaning "miller."
82. **Mitchell:** From the Gaelic "Micheil," meaning "who is like God."
83. **Morrison:** From the Gaelic "Muireasdan," meaning "descendant of Muireasdan."
84. **Murray:** From the Gaelic "Muireadhach," meaning "sea warrior."
85. **Neilson:** From the Gaelic "Niall" (Neil), meaning "champion."
86. **Noble:** From the Gaelic "Nobilis," meaning "noble."
87. **O'Brien:** From the Gaelic "Ó Briain," meaning "descendant of Brian."
88. **O'Connell:** From the Gaelic "Ó Conchobhair," meaning "descendant of Conchobhar."
89. **O'Neil:** From the Gaelic "Ó Néill," meaning "descendant of Niall."
90. **O'Reilly:** From the Gaelic "Ó Raghallaigh," meaning "descendant of Raghallaigh."
91. **Paterson:** From the Gaelic "Pàdraig" (Patrick), meaning "nobleman."
92. **Patterson:** From the Gaelic "Pàdraig" (Patrick), meaning "nobleman."
93. **Reid:** From the Gaelic "Rìgh" (king), meaning "king."
94. **Robertson:** From the Gaelic "Ruairidh" (Robert), meaning "bright fame."
95. **Ross:** From the Gaelic "Ros," meaning "headland."
96. **Russell:** From the Gaelic "Ruiseal," meaning "little red one."
97. **Scott:** From the Gaelic "Sgotaich," meaning "Scottish."
98. **Stewart:** From the Gaelic "Steward," meaning "steward."
99. **Thomson:** From the Gaelic "Tomhas," meaning "son of Thomas."
100. **Wallace:** From the Gaelic "Uallas," meaning "foreigner."
101. **Watson:** From the Gaelic "Uisdean" (Hugh), meaning "mind."
102. **Wilson:** From the Gaelic "Uilleam" (William), meaning "resolute protector."