American Irish Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide

Looking for a deeper understanding of American Irish last names? This comprehensive guide delves into the origins and meanings of some of the most common and unique surnames found in the American Irish community. From familiar names like Murphy and O'Brien to lesser-known surnames like MacCarthy and O'Neill, this list provides detailed insights into the history and cultural significance behind these names.
1. **O'Brien:** Meaning "descendant of Brian," a popular Irish name associated with the ancient kings of Munster.
2. **Murphy:** Meaning "sea warrior" or "descendant of Murchadh," a prevalent name with strong roots in County Cork.
3. **Kelly:** Meaning "bright" or "warlike," this name originates from the Gaelic "Ó Ceallaigh" and is widely distributed throughout Ireland.
4. **Ryan:** Meaning "little king" or "descendant of Ríain," a surname with origins in the Gaelic "Ó Riain" and often linked to County Tipperary.
5. **Sullivan:** Meaning "black-eyed" or "descendant of Súilleabháin," this name hails from the Gaelic "Ó Súilleabháin" and is particularly associated with County Kerry.
6. **O'Connell:** Meaning "descendant of Connell," a name rooted in the Gaelic "Ó Conchobhair" and signifies the lineage of the powerful O'Connell clan.
7. **Walsh:** Meaning "strong" or "foreigner," this surname originates from the Gaelic "Ó Faoileáin" and is associated with the Leinster region of Ireland.
8. **O'Neill:** Meaning "descendant of Niall," a name with royal lineage stemming from the Gaelic "Ó Néill" and historically linked to the Northern Irish province of Ulster.
9. **McCarthy:** Meaning "son of Carthaigh," this name derived from the Gaelic "Mac Cárthaigh" is connected to the ancient Kingdom of Desmond in southwest Ireland.
10. **Doyle:** Meaning "black" or "dark," this name originating from the Gaelic "Ó Dubhghaill" is associated with the Leinster region and often signifies a person of dark complexion.
11. **Lynch:** Meaning "descendant of Lochlann," this name rooted in the Gaelic "Ó Loingsigh" is linked to the western Irish counties of Galway and Mayo.
12. **Quinn:** Meaning "descendant of Conn," a name originating from the Gaelic "Ó Cuinn" with historical ties to the ancient kings of Ireland.
13. **O'Connor:** Meaning "descendant of Conchobhar," a name derived from the Gaelic "Ó Conchobhair" and closely associated with the O'Connor clan and the province of Connacht.
14. **Burke:** Meaning "strong" or "descendant of Buadhcha," a name originating from the Norman-Irish "de Burgo" and known for its association with the powerful Burke family.
15. **Kennedy:** Meaning "descendant of Cinaed," this name derived from the Gaelic "Ó Cionnaíde" is prevalent in the south and west of Ireland.
16. **Fitzgerald:** Meaning "son of Gerald," a name originating from the Norman-Irish "FitzGerald" and signifying a descendant of the FitzGerald family.
17. **Nolan:** Meaning "champion" or "descendant of Nuallán," this name originating from the Gaelic "Ó Nualláin" is connected to the provinces of Leinster and Munster.
18. **O'Reilly:** Meaning "descendant of Raghallach," a name derived from the Gaelic "Ó Raghallaigh" and closely associated with the ancient kingdom of Breifne in Ireland.
19. **Power:** Meaning "powerful" or "descendant of Poirtear," this name rooted in the Gaelic "Ó Buachalla" is prevalent in the southeast of Ireland.
20. **O'Malley:** Meaning "descendant of Máel Mórdha," a name originating from the Gaelic "Ó Maolalaidh" and known for its association with the O'Malley clan and the Aran Islands.
21. **MacDonnell:** Meaning "son of Donald," a name derived from the Gaelic "Mac Dhonnchadha" and often associated with the clan of the same name in County Antrim.
22. **O'Rourke:** Meaning "descendant of Ruairc," this name derived from the Gaelic "Ó Ruairc" signifies lineage from the O'Rourke clan and has historical ties to the province of Connacht.
23. **Hogan:** Meaning "fire" or "descendant of Ógán," this name originating from the Gaelic "Ó hUigín" is associated with the province of Munster.
24. **O'Shaughnessy:** Meaning "descendant of Ógán," this name derived from the Gaelic "Ó Séaghdha" is prevalent in the western counties of Ireland.
25. **O'Callaghan:** Meaning "descendant of Callachán," this name originating from the Gaelic "Ó Callanáin" is connected to the province of Munster and the Kingdom of Thomond.
26. **O'Toole:** Meaning "descendant of Tuathal," a name derived from the Gaelic "Ó Tuathail" and signifying lineage from the ancient kingdom of Leinster.
27. **Dunne:** Meaning "brown" or "dark," this name originating from the Gaelic "Ó Dubhthaigh" is associated with the provinces of Leinster and Munster.
28. **Higgins:** Meaning "son of Hugh," this name derived from the Gaelic "Ó hUigín" is prevalent in the western counties of Ireland.
29. **Hanrahan:** Meaning "descendant of Aodhán," a name originating from the Gaelic "Ó hAnrachain" and associated with the province of Munster.
30. **O'Connor:** Meaning "descendant of Conchobhar," a name derived from the Gaelic "Ó Conchobhair" and closely associated with the O'Connor clan and the province of Connacht.
31. **O'Brien:** Meaning "descendant of Brian," a popular Irish name associated with the ancient kings of Munster.
32. **Murphy:** Meaning "sea warrior" or "descendant of Murchadh," a prevalent name with strong roots in County Cork.
33. **Kelly:** Meaning "bright" or "warlike," this name originates from the Gaelic "Ó Ceallaigh" and is widely distributed throughout Ireland.
34. **Ryan:** Meaning "little king" or "descendant of Ríain," a surname with origins in the Gaelic "Ó Riain" and often linked to County Tipperary.
35. **Sullivan:** Meaning "black-eyed" or "descendant of Súilleabháin," this name hails from the Gaelic "Ó Súilleabháin" and is particularly associated with County Kerry.
36. **O'Connell:** Meaning "descendant of Connell," a name rooted in the Gaelic "Ó Conchobhair" and signifies the lineage of the powerful O'Connell clan.
37. **Walsh:** Meaning "strong" or "foreigner," this surname originates from the Gaelic "Ó Faoileáin" and is associated with the Leinster region of Ireland.
38. **O'Neill:** Meaning "descendant of Niall," a name with royal lineage stemming from the Gaelic "Ó Néill" and historically linked to the Northern Irish province of Ulster.
39. **McCarthy:** Meaning "son of Carthaigh," this name derived from the Gaelic "Mac Cárthaigh" is connected to the ancient Kingdom of Desmond in southwest Ireland.
40. **Doyle:** Meaning "black" or "dark," this name originating from the Gaelic "Ó Dubhghaill" is associated with the Leinster region and often signifies a person of dark complexion.