Most Irish Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Common Surnames and Their Meanings

Are you curious about the most common Irish last names and their fascinating origins? This comprehensive list explores the history and meaning behind some of Ireland's most prevalent surnames. From ancient Gaelic roots to anglicized forms, discover the stories behind these names and gain insight into their significance within Irish culture.
1. **Murphy:** From the Gaelic "Ó Murchadha," meaning "descendant of Murchad," a personal name meaning "sea warrior."

2. **Kelly:** From the Gaelic "Ó Ceallaigh," meaning "descendant of Ceallach," a personal name meaning "bright," "vigorous," or "warlike."

3. **Ryan:** From the Gaelic "Ó Riain," meaning "descendant of Rian," a personal name meaning "little king" or "small king."

4. **O'Brien:** From the Gaelic "Ó Briain," meaning "descendant of Brian," a legendary Irish high king.

5. **Walsh:** From the Gaelic "Ó Faolain," meaning "descendant of Faolán," a personal name meaning "wolf cub."

6. **O'Neill:** From the Gaelic "Ó Néill," meaning "descendant of Niall," a legendary Irish high king.

7. **O'Connor:** From the Gaelic "Ó Conchobhair," meaning "descendant of Conchobhar," a personal name meaning "desire" or "love."

8. **Smith:** An anglicized occupational name for a blacksmith.

9. **Davis:** From the Welsh "Dafydd," meaning "beloved."

10. **Burke:** From the Gaelic "de Burca," meaning "descendant of the Burke," a Norman family.

11. **O'Sullivan:** From the Gaelic "Ó Súilleabháin," meaning "descendant of Súilleabháin," a personal name meaning "dark-eyed."

12. **McCarthy:** From the Gaelic "Mac Carthaigh," meaning "son of Carthach," a personal name meaning "love" or "charity."

13. **O'Reilly:** From the Gaelic "Ó Raghallaigh," meaning "descendant of Raghallach," a personal name meaning "strong ruler."

14. **Power:** From the Gaelic "Ó Buachalla," meaning "descendant of Buachalla," a personal name meaning "herdsman."

15. **O'Doherty:** From the Gaelic "Ó Dochartaigh," meaning "descendant of Dochartach," a personal name meaning "dark-haired" or "dark."

16. **Doyle:** From the Gaelic "Ó Dubhghaill," meaning "descendant of Dubhghaill," a personal name meaning "dark foreigner."

17. **O'Callaghan:** From the Gaelic "Ó Cadhlaighán," meaning "descendant of Cadhlaighán," a personal name meaning "vigilant."

18. **O'Toole:** From the Gaelic "Ó Tuathail," meaning "descendant of Tuathal," a legendary Irish high king.

19. **O'Malley:** From the Gaelic "Ó Máille," meaning "descendant of Máille," a personal name meaning "chief."

20. **Fitzgerald:** From the Anglo-Norman "FitzGerald," meaning "son of Gerald."

21. **Nolan:** From the Gaelic "Ó Nualláin," meaning "descendant of Nuallán," a personal name meaning "famous" or "illustrious."

22. **Flynn:** From the Gaelic "Ó Floinn," meaning "descendant of Floinn," a personal name meaning "red-haired" or "red."

23. **O'Shea:** From the Gaelic "Ó Séaghdha," meaning "descendant of Séaghdha," a personal name meaning "blind."

24. **O'Connor:** From the Gaelic "Ó Conchobhair," meaning "descendant of Conchobhar," a personal name meaning "desire" or "love."

25. **O'Donnell:** From the Gaelic "Ó Domhnaill," meaning "descendant of Domhnall," a personal name meaning "world ruler."

26. **O'Shaughnessy:** From the Gaelic "Ó Seaghdha," meaning "descendant of Séaghdha," a personal name meaning "blind."

27. **Mahony:** From the Gaelic "Ó Maonaigh," meaning "descendant of Maonach," a personal name meaning "little."

28. **Barrett:** From the Gaelic "Ó Barraithe," meaning "descendant of Barra," a personal name meaning "foreigner."

29. **Brennan:** From the Gaelic "Ó Braonáin," meaning "descendant of Braonán," a personal name meaning "little drop."

30. **O'Rourke:** From the Gaelic "Ó Ruairc," meaning "descendant of Ruairc," a personal name meaning "red."

31. **O'Hanrahan:** From the Gaelic "Ó hAnracháin," meaning "descendant of Anrachan," a personal name meaning "ruler" or "king."

32. **O'Carroll:** From the Gaelic "Ó Cearbhaill," meaning "descendant of Cearbhall," a personal name meaning "strong" or "brave."

33. **Healy:** From the Gaelic "Ó hÉalaí," meaning "descendant of Éalaí," a personal name meaning "light" or "radiant."

34. **O'Dowd:** From the Gaelic "Ó Dubhda," meaning "descendant of Dubhda," a personal name meaning "dark."

35. **O'Boyle:** From the Gaelic "Ó Baoighill," meaning "descendant of Baoighill," a personal name meaning "fierce."

36. **O'Higgins:** From the Gaelic "Ó hUiginn," meaning "descendant of Uiginn," a personal name meaning "noble" or "grand."

37. **O'Gorman:** From the Gaelic "Ó Gormáin," meaning "descendant of Gormán," a personal name meaning "blue" or "dark."

38. **O'Grady:** From the Gaelic "Ó Grádaigh," meaning "descendant of Grádaigh," a personal name meaning "love."

39. **O'Farrell:** From the Gaelic "Ó Fearghail," meaning "descendant of Fearghal," a personal name meaning "man of strength."

40. **O'Malley:** From the Gaelic "Ó Máille," meaning "descendant of Máille," a personal name meaning "chief."