Common Irish Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide

Looking for information on common Irish last names? This comprehensive guide explores the origins and meanings of popular surnames found in Ireland, offering insights into the rich history and cultural significance of these names. Whether you're researching your family tree or simply curious about the heritage behind these names, this list provides a detailed exploration of some of the most prevalent Irish last names.
1. **Murphy:** Son of Murchad, a Gaelic personal name meaning “sea warrior”.
2. **O'Brien:** Descendant of Brian, a Gaelic personal name meaning “strong” or “noble”.
3. **Kelly:** Son of Ceallach, a Gaelic personal name meaning “bright” or “warlike”.
4. **Ryan:** Son of Rían, a Gaelic personal name meaning “little king”.
5. **O'Connor:** Descendant of Conchobhar, a Gaelic personal name meaning “lover of hounds”.
6. **Walsh:** Son of Uallach, a Gaelic personal name meaning “noble” or “proud”.
7. **O'Neill:** Descendant of Niall, a Gaelic personal name meaning “champion” or “cloud”.
8. **Smith:** A common occupational surname for a blacksmith or metalsmith.
9. **O'Sullivan:** Descendant of Súilleabháin, a Gaelic personal name meaning “black eye”.
10. **Power:** Meaning “powerful” or “strong” in Old French, likely adopted by Anglo-Norman settlers.
11. **Nolan:** Son of Nuallan, a Gaelic personal name meaning “cloud” or “mist”.
12. **McCarthy:** Son of Carthaigh, a Gaelic personal name meaning “lover of love”.
13. **Burke:** Descendant of the Norman family de Burgh, originally from Normandy.
14. **Hayes:** Son of Aodh, a Gaelic personal name meaning “fire”.
15. **O'Reilly:** Descendant of Raghallaigh, a Gaelic personal name meaning “fiery king”.
16. **Fitzgerald:** Son of Gerald, a Norman personal name meaning “spear ruler”.
17. **Kennedy:** Son of Cinnéide, a Gaelic personal name meaning “handsome” or “comely”.
18. **Doyle:** Son of Dubhghaill, a Gaelic personal name meaning “dark foreigner”.
19. **O'Donnell:** Descendant of Donnchadh, a Gaelic personal name meaning “brown warrior”.
20. **O'Toole:** Descendant of Ó Tuathail, a Gaelic personal name meaning “descendant of Tuathal”.
21. **Daly:** Son of Daol, a Gaelic personal name meaning “black” or “dark”.
22. **McMahon:** Son of Maolmhóir, a Gaelic personal name meaning “bald servant”.
23. **O'Shea:** Descendant of Ó Séaghdha, a Gaelic personal name meaning “descendant of Seachdha”.
24. **Byrne:** Son of Brian, a Gaelic personal name meaning “strong” or “noble”.
25. **O'Rourke:** Descendant of Ruairc, a Gaelic personal name meaning “red king”.
26. **Dunne:** Son of Donnchadh, a Gaelic personal name meaning “brown warrior”.
27. **O'Callaghan:** Descendant of Ó Callanáin, a Gaelic personal name meaning “descendant of Callán”.
28. **Moore:** Derived from the Irish word "mór", meaning "great" or "big".
29. **O'Mara:** Descendant of Ó Maolráin, a Gaelic personal name meaning “descendant of Maolráin”.
30. **Healy:** Son of Ó hÉalaí, a Gaelic personal name meaning “descendant of Éalaí”.
31. **Lynch:** Son of Laimhin, a Gaelic personal name meaning “hand”.
32. **O'Brien:** Descendant of Brian, a Gaelic personal name meaning “strong” or “noble”.
33. **Quinn:** Son of Conn, a Gaelic personal name meaning “chief” or “leader”.
34. **O'Malley:** Descendant of Ó Máille, a Gaelic personal name meaning “descendant of Máille”.
35. **O'Higgins:** Descendant of Ó hUiginn, a Gaelic personal name meaning “descendant of Uiginn”.
36. **Finn:** A Gaelic personal name meaning “fair” or “white”.
37. **O'Hanlon:** Descendant of Ó hAnluain, a Gaelic personal name meaning “descendant of Anluan”.
38. **O'Connor:** Descendant of Conchobhar, a Gaelic personal name meaning “lover of hounds”.
39. **Farrell:** Son of Fearghal, a Gaelic personal name meaning “valiant man”.
40. **O'Flaherty:** Descendant of Ó Flaithbheartaigh, a Gaelic personal name meaning “descendant of Flaithbheartach”.