Irish Family Names by County: A Comprehensive Guide

Discover the fascinating history and origins of Irish family names, exploring their distribution across the Emerald Isle. This guide provides a comprehensive list of Irish surnames common to specific counties, revealing the unique cultural heritage embedded within each region. From the ancient Gaelic clans to the more recent Anglo-Norman influences, delve into the rich tapestry of Irish genealogy and uncover the stories behind your own family name.
1. **O'Brien:** Meaning "descendant of Brian", a powerful and widespread clan, particularly dominant in County Clare.
2. **Murphy:** Meaning "sea warrior", a common surname throughout Ireland, particularly prevalent in counties Cork, Kerry, and Waterford.
3. **Kelly:** Meaning "bright", a popular surname in counties Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon, associated with the O'Kelly clan.
4. **Ryan:** Meaning "little king", a common surname in counties Tipperary, Limerick, and Kilkenny, associated with the O'Ryan clan.
5. **Walsh:** Meaning "foreigner", a surname linked to the Anglo-Norman invasion, prevalent in counties Waterford, Wexford, and Kilkenny.
6. **O'Connell:** Meaning "descendant of Connell", a powerful clan, particularly strong in counties Kerry, Cork, and Limerick.
7. **O'Neill:** Meaning "descendant of Niall", a powerful clan, historically dominant in Ulster, particularly in counties Tyrone and Armagh.
8. **O'Connor:** Meaning "descendant of Connor", a powerful clan, particularly prevalent in counties Roscommon, Galway, and Mayo.
9. **O'Reilly:** Meaning "descendant of Rígh", meaning "king", a prominent clan in counties Cavan, Monaghan, and Louth.
10. **O'Donnell:** Meaning "descendant of Donnell", a powerful clan, historically dominant in County Donegal.
11. **O'Toole:** Meaning "descendant of Toal", a powerful clan, historically strong in County Wicklow.
12. **McCarthy:** Meaning "son of Carthaigh", a powerful clan, particularly prevalent in counties Cork, Kerry, and Waterford.
13. **Fitzgerald:** Meaning "son of Gerald", an Anglo-Norman surname, prevalent in counties Limerick, Kerry, and Tipperary.
14. **Burke:** Meaning "strong", an Anglo-Norman surname, prevalent in counties Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon.
15. **Doyle:** Meaning "black", a common surname throughout Ireland, particularly prevalent in counties Dublin, Kildare, and Wicklow.
16. **O'Shaughnessy:** Meaning "descendant of Seán", meaning "John", a prominent clan in counties Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon.
17. **Kennedy:** Meaning "fiery head", a common surname throughout Ireland, particularly prevalent in counties Wexford, Cork, and Kerry.
18. **Nolan:** Meaning "champion", a common surname throughout Ireland, particularly prevalent in counties Laois, Offaly, and Kildare.
19. **O'Sullivan:** Meaning "descendant of Súilleabháin", meaning "black-eyed", a powerful clan, particularly strong in counties Kerry and Cork.
20. **Power:** Meaning "strong", a common surname throughout Ireland, particularly prevalent in counties Waterford, Wexford, and Kilkenny.
21. **Smith:** Meaning "craftsman", a common surname throughout Ireland, often indicative of a blacksmith or metalworker.
22. **Moore:** Meaning "moor", a surname linked to the Anglo-Norman invasion, prevalent in counties Cork, Limerick, and Waterford.
23. **O'Callaghan:** Meaning "descendant of Calladhán", a prominent clan, particularly strong in counties Kerry, Cork, and Limerick.
24. **O'Shea:** Meaning "descendant of Seaán", meaning "John", a prominent clan, particularly strong in counties Kerry and Cork.
25. **O'Brien:** Meaning "descendant of Brian", a powerful and widespread clan, particularly dominant in County Clare.
26. **O'Malley:** Meaning "descendant of Máel", meaning "chief", a powerful clan, historically strong in County Mayo.
27. **Healy:** Meaning "bright" or "fair", a surname prevalent in counties Cork, Kerry, and Limerick.
28. **Lynch:** Meaning "descendant of Lochlainn", meaning "descendant of a warrior", a prominent clan, historically strong in County Galway.
29. **Mahony:** Meaning "son of Máthúna", meaning "gift", a common surname in counties Cork, Kerry, and Limerick.
30. **O'Connor:** Meaning "descendant of Connor", a powerful clan, particularly prevalent in counties Roscommon, Galway, and Mayo.
31. **O'Doherty:** Meaning "descendant of Doirthe", meaning "descendant of a warrior", a prominent clan, historically strong in County Donegal.
32. **O'Hanlon:** Meaning "descendant of Ó hAnluain", meaning "descendant of the descendant of Lúan", a prominent clan, historically strong in counties Monaghan and Armagh.
33. **McMahon:** Meaning "son of Má chomhgháin", meaning "son of the gift", a prominent clan, historically strong in counties Monaghan and Cavan.
34. **O'Dwyer:** Meaning "descendant of Dubhghlas", meaning "descendant of black glas", a prominent clan, historically strong in counties Tipperary and Limerick.
35. **MacDonnell:** Meaning "son of Donnell", a powerful clan, historically strong in counties Antrim and Down.
36. **O'Reilly:** Meaning "descendant of Rígh", meaning "king", a prominent clan in counties Cavan, Monaghan, and Louth.
37. **O'Flaherty:** Meaning "descendant of Flaithbheartach", meaning "descendant of noble warrior", a prominent clan, historically strong in County Galway.
38. **O'Rourke:** Meaning "descendant of Rúaidhrí", meaning "descendant of the red", a prominent clan, historically strong in County Leitrim.
39. **O'Carroll:** Meaning "descendant of Cathal", meaning "descendant of the battle", a prominent clan, historically strong in counties Offaly and Tipperary.
40. **O'Boyle:** Meaning "descendant of Buadhail", meaning "descendant of a victorious one", a prominent clan, historically strong in County Donegal.