Irish Last Names Starting with M: A Comprehensive Guide

Looking for Irish last names that begin with the letter "M"? This comprehensive list provides a wealth of information about Irish surnames starting with M, exploring their origins, meanings, and historical significance. From common names like Murphy to rarer ones like MacGiolla Riabhaigh, this guide offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich tapestry of Irish genealogy.
1. **MacAlister:** Son of Alistair, a Scottish Gaelic name meaning "defender of mankind".
2. **MacBride:** Son of Brian, meaning "strong" or "noble".
3. **MacCarthy:** Son of Carthaigh, a Gaelic personal name meaning "love" or "charity".
4. **MacCormack:** Son of Cormac, meaning "charioteer" or "lord".
5. **MacCready:** Son of Críodhán, a Gaelic name meaning "little Christ".
6. **MacDermott:** Son of Diarmaid, meaning "free man" or "exalted".
7. **MacDonagh:** Son of Donnchadh, meaning "dark-haired".
8. **MacDonnell:** Son of Donnchadh, meaning "dark-haired".
9. **MacEntee:** Son of Aonghus, meaning "one-horseman".
10. **MacFarlane:** Son of Fearlan, meaning "very brave" or "very strong".
11. **MacGiolla Riabhaigh:** Son of the grey-haired man.
12. **MacGill:** Son of Gill, a common Gaelic surname.
13. **MacGovan:** Son of Owen, meaning "noble" or "well-born".
14. **MacGrath:** Son of Gráinne, a Gaelic name meaning "fair".
15. **MacGuinness:** Son of Giolla Íosa, meaning "servant of Jesus".
16. **MacHale:** Son of Maol, meaning "devotee" or "holy".
17. **MacInnes:** Son of Aonghas, meaning "one-horseman".
18. **MacIntyre:** Son of Eóin, meaning "God is merciful".
19. **MacIver:** Son of Ivor, a name meaning "archer".
20. **MacKay:** Son of Aodh, meaning "fire" or "fiery".
21. **MacKenna:** Son of Coinneach, meaning "handsome".
22. **MacKenzie:** Son of Coinneach, meaning "handsome".
23. **MacKinnon:** Son of Coinneach, meaning "handsome".
24. **MacLaughlin:** Son of Lochlainn, meaning "famous warrior".
25. **MacLean:** Son of Iain, meaning "God is merciful".
26. **MacMahon:** Son of Máel Muire, meaning "devotee of Mary".
27. **MacManus:** Son of Mannas, a legendary Irish ancestor.
28. **MacMartin:** Son of Martin, a name meaning "warlike" or "devoted to Mars".
29. **MacMaster:** Son of Máistir, meaning "master".
30. **MacMathuna:** Son of Mathúna, a Gaelic name meaning "bear".
31. **MacMullen:** Son of Maolmhuire, meaning "devotee of Mary".
32. **MacMurdo:** Son of Murchadh, meaning "sea warrior".
33. **MacMurphy:** Son of Murchad, meaning "sea warrior".
34. **MacNally:** Son of Conall, meaning "strong" or "wolf".
35. **MacNeill:** Son of Niall, a name meaning "champion" or "cloud".
36. **MacNolan:** Son of Fionnlagh, meaning "fair" or "white".
37. **MacPherson:** Son of Fearchar, meaning "brave" or "strong".
38. **MacQuaid:** Son of Conn, a name meaning "wolf" or "strong".
39. **MacQueen:** Son of Coinneach, meaning "handsome".
40. **MacRory:** Son of Ruaidhri, meaning "red-haired king".
41. **MacShane:** Son of Seán, meaning "God is gracious".
42. **MacSweeney:** Son of Suibhne, a name meaning "sweet".
43. **MacTiernan:** Son of Tiernan, meaning "landlord" or "king of the land".
44. **MacWhirter:** Son of Murchadh, meaning "sea warrior".
45. **Malley:** Meaning "bald" or "strong".
46. **Manley:** From the Norman name "Manlove", meaning "man of love".
47. **Markey:** Irish form of the English name "Mark", meaning "warlike".
48. **Marren:** Meaning "little Mary".
49. **Martin:** Meaning "warlike" or "devoted to Mars".
50. **Mather:** Meaning "a man who gives" or "a man with a great gift".
51. **Matthews:** English form of the Irish name "Mathew", meaning "gift of God".
52. **Maxwell:** From the Norman surname "Maxfield", meaning "great field".
53. **Maye:** Meaning "bright" or "shining".
54. **Meagher:** Meaning "prudent" or "wise".
55. **Meehan:** Meaning "young warrior" or "little hero".
56. **Melvin:** Meaning "sea warrior" or "strong protector".
57. **Merrigan:** Meaning "sea warrior" or "strong protector".
58. **Merritt:** Meaning "sea warrior" or "strong protector".
59. **Michie:** Meaning "little son".
60. **Miles:** Meaning "soldier" or "warrior".
61. **Miley:** Meaning "soldier" or "warrior".
62. **Miller:** Meaning "one who grinds grain".
63. **Molloy:** Meaning "bald" or "strong".
64. **Monaghan:** Meaning "little meadow" or "small bog".
65. **Moore:** Meaning "moor" or "swamp".
66. **Morgan:** Meaning "sea warrior" or "strong protector".
67. **Morley:** Meaning "dark complexion".
68. **Morris:** Meaning "dark complexion" or "moorish".
69. **Morrow:** Meaning "morning" or "dawn".
70. **Morton:** Meaning "moor town".
71. **Murphy:** Meaning "sea warrior" or "strong protector".
72. **Murray:** Meaning "sea warrior" or "strong protector".
73. **Murtagh:** Meaning "sea warrior" or "strong protector".
74. **Myles:** Meaning "soldier" or "warrior".
75. **Mylett:** Meaning "soldier" or "warrior".