Most Common Irish Last Names: A Guide to Irish Ancestry

Looking for information on the most common Irish last names? This guide provides a comprehensive list of the top Irish surnames, delving into their historical origins, meanings, and variations. Whether you're researching your family history or simply curious about the rich cultural tapestry of Ireland, exploring these surnames offers a fascinating glimpse into the country's past and its people.
1. **Murphy:** Meaning "sea warrior" or "descendant of Murchad," a common Irish name.
2. **Kelly:** Meaning "bright" or "handsome" in Irish, this surname is found in many variations.
3. **O'Brien:** "Descendant of Brian," a popular surname, often associated with the powerful O'Brien clan.
4. **Ryan:** "Little king" or "descendant of Rian," a powerful name with roots in Irish mythology.
5. **Walsh:** Meaning "foreigner" or "stranger," this surname likely refers to settlers from Wales.
6. **O'Neill:** "Descendant of Niall," one of the most powerful Irish clans, historically influential in Ulster.
7. **O'Connor:** "Descendant of Conchobhar," a surname with a long history and prominent in Irish legends.
8. **O'Sullivan:** "Descendant of Súilleabháin," a powerful clan, associated with the county of Kerry.
9. **Doyle:** "Black" or "dark," this surname is associated with the region of Leinster.
10. **O'Reilly:** "Descendant of Raghallach," a powerful clan, originating in the county of Cavan.
11. **Smith:** An Anglicized name for a blacksmith, common in many countries.
12. **McCarthy:** "Descendant of Carthaigh," a powerful clan with historical ties to Munster.
13. **Fitzgerald:** "Son of Gerald," an Anglo-Norman name, commonly found in Ireland.
14. **O'Connor:** "Descendant of Conchobhar," a powerful clan, historically prominent in the West of Ireland.
15. **Burns:** Meaning "a person who burns or lives by a fire," a common Irish surname.
16. **O'Callaghan:** "Descendant of Callaghan," a surname with roots in the county of Cork.
17. **O'Doherty:** "Descendant of Dochartaigh," a surname commonly found in the county of Donegal.
18. **Lynch:** Meaning "descendant of Laimhin," a surname with ties to the city of Galway.
19. **O'Malley:** "Descendant of Máel Mhuire," a surname commonly found in the county of Mayo.
20. **O'Rourke:** "Descendant of Ruairc," a surname with a prominent history, particularly in the county of Leitrim.
21. **Flynn:** "Son of Flann," a surname with roots in Irish mythology.
22. **White:** An Anglicized name, meaning "fair" or "pale," a common surname in Ireland.
23. **Kennedy:** "Descendant of Cinnéide," a surname with a strong connection to Irish history and politics.
24. **Nolan:** "Descendant of Niallán," a surname found in various forms across Ireland.
25. **Gallagher:** "Descendant of Gall," a surname associated with the county of Donegal.
26. **O'Toole:** "Descendant of Tuathail," a surname with a long history, often associated with the county of Wicklow.
27. **McMahon:** "Descendant of Máel Muire," a surname associated with the county of Monaghan.
28. **O'Shaughnessy:** "Descendant of Ó Séaghdha," a surname with roots in the county of Galway.
29. **McDonnell:** "Son of Donnell," a surname associated with the county of Antrim.
30. **O'Hanlon:** "Descendant of Ó hAnluain," a surname found in various forms across Ireland.
31. **McGuire:** "Descendant of Muircheartach," a surname associated with the county of Fermanagh.
32. **O'Dwyer:** "Descendant of Dubhgháir," a surname with roots in the county of Tipperary.
33. **O'Brien:** "Descendant of Brian," a powerful name with roots in Irish mythology.
34. **Power:** Meaning "strong" or "powerful," this surname has various origins.
35. **Connolly:** "Descendant of Conchobhar," a surname with roots in the county of Galway.
36. **O'Farrell:** "Descendant of Fearghal," a surname with a long history, often associated with the county of Longford.
37. **O'Neil:** "Descendant of Niall," a surname found in various forms across Ireland.
38. **O'Mara:** "Descendant of Máel Mhuire," a surname with roots in the county of Waterford.
39. **Higgins:** An Anglicized name, meaning "descendant of Hugh," a common Irish surname.
40. **Byrne:** Meaning "descendant of Brian," a surname with a strong presence in the county of Wicklow.
41. **McGrath:** "Descendant of Gráinne," a surname associated with the county of Clare.
42. **Daly:** "Descendant of Daili," a surname with roots in the county of Galway.
43. **Healy:** "Descendant of Ailbhe," a surname with roots in the county of Cork.
44. **O'Connell:** "Descendant of Conchobhar," a surname with a strong connection to Irish history and politics.
45. **Barrett:** Meaning "brave" or "strong," this surname has various origins.
46. **O'Shea:** "Descendant of Ó Síodhacháin," a surname associated with the county of Kerry.
47. **O'Donoghue:** "Descendant of Donnchadh," a surname associated with the county of Kerry.
48. **O'Gorman:** "Descendant of Gormán," a surname with a long history, often associated with the county of Tipperary.
49. **Cullen:** Meaning "descendant of Columba," a surname found in various forms across Ireland.
50. **O'Malley:** "Descendant of Máel Mhuire," a surname with roots in the county of Galway.