Most Common Irish Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you curious about the most common Irish last names? Ireland boasts a rich heritage and a fascinating history, reflected in its diverse array of surnames. This comprehensive list delves into the origins and meanings of the most popular Irish last names, offering insights into their cultural significance and historical context. Whether you're researching your family tree or simply seeking to understand the linguistic landscape of Ireland, this guide provides a wealth of information.
1. **Murphy:** Descendant of Murchadh, meaning "sea warrior" or "defender of the sea".
2. **Kelly:** Descendant of Caoilfhionn, meaning "slender bright one" or "beautiful fair one".
3. **O'Brien:** Descendant of Brian, meaning "strong" or "noble".
4. **Ryan:** Descendant of Ríain, meaning "little king" or "kinglet".
5. **Walsh:** Descendant of Uallach, meaning "noble" or "princely".
6. **O'Neill:** Descendant of Niall, meaning "champion" or "cloud".
7. **O'Connor:** Descendant of Conchobhar, meaning "lover of hounds" or "wolfhound".
8. **Davis:** Descendant of David, meaning "beloved" or "friend".
9. **O'Sullivan:** Descendant of Súilleabháin, meaning "black-eyed" or "dark-eyed".
10. **McCarthy:** Descendant of Carthaigh, meaning "loving" or "charitable".
11. **Power:** Descendant of Ó Buaidh, meaning "victory" or "triumph".
12. **O'Reilly:** Descendant of Raghallaigh, meaning "fiery king" or "fiery ruler".
13. **Lynch:** Descendant of Lochlann, meaning "descendant of Lochlann" or "Norseman".
14. **Fitzgerald:** Son of Gerald, meaning "strong spear" or "spear of strength".
15. **O'Donnell:** Descendant of Domhnall, meaning "world ruler" or "world conqueror".
16. **Burke:** Descendant of Buirche, meaning "strong" or "warrior".
17. **O'Toole:** Descendant of Ó Tuathail, meaning "descendant of Tuathal" or "descendant of the people".
18. **Doyle:** Descendant of Dubhghall, meaning "dark stranger" or "dark foreigner".
19. **Kenny:** Descendant of Coinneach, meaning "handsome" or "beautiful".
20. **Byrne:** Descendant of Brian, meaning "strong" or "noble".
21. **Flynn:** Descendant of Flann, meaning "red-haired" or "ruddy".
22. **McMahon:** Descendant of Mágh-áin, meaning "son of the plain" or "son of the field".
23. **O'Callaghan:** Descendant of Callaghan, meaning "youthful" or "handsome".
24. **O'Shaughnessy:** Descendant of Ó Séaghdha, meaning "descendant of Séaghdha" or "descendant of a leader".
25. **Healy:** Descendant of Ó hEalaigh, meaning "descendant of Ealaigh" or "descendant of a warrior".
26. **Nolan:** Descendant of Ó Nualláin, meaning "descendant of Nuallán" or "descendant of a cloud".
27. **O'Hara:** Descendant of Ó hAodha, meaning "descendant of Aodh" or "descendant of fire".
28. **O'Rourke:** Descendant of Ó Ruairc, meaning "descendant of Ruairc" or "descendant of a red one".
29. **Barrett:** Descendant of Bárr, meaning "summit" or "peak".
30. **Barry:** Descendant of Bearradh, meaning "brave" or "courageous".
31. **O'Malley:** Descendant of Ó Maolalaidh, meaning "descendant of Maolalaidh" or "descendant of a devotee of St. Patrick".
32. **O'Doherty:** Descendant of Ó Dochartaigh, meaning "descendant of Dochartaigh" or "descendant of a warrior".
33. **O'Shea:** Descendant of Ó Síthigh, meaning "descendant of Síthigh" or "descendant of a leader".
34. **O'Hanlon:** Descendant of Ó hAnluain, meaning "descendant of Anluain" or "descendant of a warrior".
35. **Higgins:** Descendant of Ó hIginn, meaning "descendant of Iginn" or "descendant of a blacksmith".
36. **O'Brien:** Descendant of Ó Briain, meaning "descendant of Brian" or "descendant of a strong one".
37. **O'Flaherty:** Descendant of Ó Flaithbheartaigh, meaning "descendant of Flaithbheartaigh" or "descendant of a noble one".
38. **O'Connor:** Descendant of Ó Conchobhair, meaning "descendant of Conchobhar" or "descendant of a lover of hounds".
39. **O'Reilly:** Descendant of Ó Raghallaigh, meaning "descendant of Raghallaigh" or "descendant of a fiery king".
40. **O'Neill:** Descendant of Ó Néill, meaning "descendant of Niall" or "descendant of a champion".
41. **MacDonald:** Son of Donald, meaning "world ruler" or "world conqueror".
42. **O'Driscoll:** Descendant of Ó Drísceoil, meaning "descendant of Drísceoil" or "descendant of a ruler".
43. **O'Dea:** Descendant of Ó Duibhthaigh, meaning "descendant of Duibhthaigh" or "descendant of a black one".
44. **O'Farrell:** Descendant of Ó Fearghaill, meaning "descendant of Fearghaill" or "descendant of a warrior".
45. **O'Hanrahan:** Descendant of Ó hAnracháin, meaning "descendant of Anracháin" or "descendant of a warrior".
46. **O'Carroll:** Descendant of Ó Cathraill, meaning "descendant of Cathraill" or "descendant of a loving one".
47. **O'Meara:** Descendant of Ó Meadhra, meaning "descendant of Meadhra" or "descendant of a wise one".
48. **O'Grady:** Descendant of Ó Grádaigh, meaning "descendant of Grádaigh" or "descendant of a beloved one".
49. **O'Riordan:** Descendant of Ó Ríordáin, meaning "descendant of Ríordán" or "descendant of a strong one".
50. **O'Dowd:** Descendant of Ó Dubhda, meaning "descendant of Dubhda" or "descendant of a black one".