Irish Surnames

Irish names are used on the island of Ireland as well as elsewhere in the Western World as a result of the Irish diaspora. See also about Irish names.
usage
Ahearn Irish
Anglicized form of Ó hEachthighearna.
Ahearne Irish
Anglicized form of Ó hEachthighearna.
Angus Irish, Scottish
From the given name Aonghus.
Beirne Irish
Variant of O'Byrne.
Berne Irish
Variant of O'Byrne.
Boyle Irish
From Irish Ó Baoighill meaning "descendant of Baoigheall". The meaning of the given name Baoigheall is uncertain, but it is thought to be connected to Irish geall meaning "pledge".
Braden Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Bradáin meaning "descendant of Bradán".
Brady Irish
Anglicized form of the Irish name Ó Brádaigh meaning "descendant of Brádach". A famous bearer is the American football quarterback Tom Brady (1977-).
Brannon Irish
Variant of Brennan.
Breen Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Braoin meaning "descendant of Braon", a byname meaning "rain, moisture, drop".
Brennan Irish
From Irish Ó Braonáin meaning "descendant of Braonán", a byname meaning "rain, moisture, drop" (with a diminutive suffix).
Brogan Irish
Occupational name derived from Irish bróg meaning "shoe".
Brontë Irish
Variant of Brunty adopted by the Irish-born Englishman Patrick Brunty (1777-1861) as an adult. He was the father of Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë, each prominent authors.
Brunty Irish
Variant of Prunty.
Buckley 2 Irish
From Irish Ó Buachalla meaning "descendant of Buachaill", a nickname meaning "cowherd, servant".
Burke English, Irish
Derived from Middle English burgh meaning "fortress, fortification, castle". It was brought to Ireland in the 12th century by the Norman invader William de Burgh.
Burns 2 Irish
Variant of O'Byrne.
Butler English, Irish
Occupational name derived from Norman French butiller "wine steward", ultimately from Late Latin butticula "bottle". A famous bearer of this surname is the fictional character Rhett Butler, created by Margaret Mitchell for her novel Gone with the Wind (1936).
Byrne Irish
Variant of O'Byrne.
Byrnes Irish
Variant of O'Byrne.
Caden Irish
From Irish Mac Cadáin meaning "descendant of Cadán", a given name of unknown meaning.
Callahan Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Ceallacháin meaning "descendant of Cellachán".
Callan Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Cathaláin meaning "descendant of Cathalán".
Caomhánach Irish
Irish Gaelic form of Kavanagh.
Carey Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Ciardha meaning "descendant of Ciardha".
Carmody Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Cearmada meaning "descendant of Cearmaid", a Gaelic given name.
Carran Irish
Variant of Curran.
Carroll Irish
From the given name Cearbhall. A famous bearer was Lewis Carroll (1832-1898), whose real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, the author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
Cary Irish
Variant of Carey.
Casey Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Cathasaigh meaning "descendant of Cathassach".
Cassidy Irish
From Irish Ó Caiside meaning "descendant of Caiside". Caiside is a given name meaning "curly haired".
Cavan Irish
Anglicized form of the Irish Ó Caoimháin meaning "descendant of Caomhán".
Cavey Irish
Possibly an Anglicized form of Mac Daibhéid.
Clancy Irish
From Irish Mac Fhlannchaidh meaning "descendant of Flannchadh". The given name Flannchadh means "red warrior".
Cleary Irish
From Irish cléireach meaning "clerk" (see Clark).
Clery Irish
Variant of Cleary.
Cody Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Cuidighthigh or Mac Óda. A famous bearer was the American frontiersman and showman Buffalo Bill Cody (1846-1917).
Coghlan Irish
Anglicized form of Ó Cochláin.
Coleman Irish, English
From the given name Colmán.
Collins 1 Irish
Anglicized form of Ó Coileáin. A famous bearer was Michael Collins, an Irish nationalist leader who was assassinated in 1922.
Connell Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Conaill meaning "descendant of Conall".
Connery Irish
Variant of Conroy.
Connolly Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Conghalaigh, which means "descendant of Conghalach". Conghalach is a nickname meaning "valiant".
Connor Irish
Variant of O'Connor.
Conroy Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Conaire, which means "descendant of Conaire". Conaire is a nickname meaning "hound keeper".
Cooney Irish
From Irish Ó Cuana meaning "descendant of Cuana". Cuana probably means "handsome, elegant". The Cooney sept originated in County Tyrone.
Corcoran Irish
From Irish Ó Corcráin meaning "descendant of Corcrán", a given name derived from the Gaelic word corcair "purple".
Coughlan Irish
Anglicized form of Ó Cochláin.
Coughlin Irish
Anglicized form of Ó Cochláin.
Cullen 2 Irish
Anglicized form of Ó Coileáin or Ó Cuilinn.
Cummins English, Scottish, Irish
From the Old Breton given name Cunmin, a cognate of Cuimín, introduced to Britain at the time of the Norman Conquest.
Cunningham 2 Irish
From Irish Ó Cuinneagáin meaning "descendant of Cuinneagán", a diminutive of Conn.
Curran Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Corraidhín meaning "descendant of Corraidhín".
Curry Irish
Anglicized form of Ó Comhraidhe or Ó Corra.
Daley Irish
Variant of Daly.
Daly Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Dálaigh meaning "descendant of Dálach".
Davin Irish
Variant of Devin 1.
Delaney 2 Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Dubhshláine meaning "descendant of Dubhshláine".
Dempsey Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Díomasaigh meaning "descendant of Díomasach", a given name meaning "proud".
Desmond Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Deasmhumhnaigh meaning "descendant of the man from South Munster", originally indicating a person who came from the region of South Munster (Desmond) in Ireland.
Devin 1 Irish
Anglicized form of the Irish surnames Ó Damháin or Ó Dubháin.
Devlin Irish
Anglicized form of the Irish Ó Doibhilin meaning "descendant of Doibhilin", a given name that may be derived from the Gaelic term dobhail meaning "unlucky".
Doherty Irish
From the Irish Ó Dochartaigh meaning "descendant of Dochartach". The byname Dochartach means "obstructive".
Dolan Irish
From the Irish Ó Dubhshláin meaning "descendant of Dubhshláine".
Donne Scottish, Irish
From Gaelic donn meaning "brown", a nickname for a person with brown hair.
Donnelly Irish
From Irish Ó Donnghaile meaning "descendant of Donnghal". The given name Donnghal means "brown valour", from donn "brown" and gal "valour". This surname is associated with the descendants of Niall of the Nine Hostages.
Donoghue Irish
From Irish Ó Donnchadha meaning "descendant of Donnchadh".
Donovan Irish
Anglicized form of the Irish name Ó Donndubháin meaning "descendant of Donndubán".
Doran Irish
From Irish Ó Deoradháin meaning "descendant of Deoradhán", where Deoradhán is a given name meaning "exile, wanderer".
Doyle Irish
From the Irish Ó Dubhghaill, which means "descendant of Dubhghall". A famous bearer was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930), the author of the Sherlock Holmes mystery stories.
Driscoll Irish
From Irish Ó hEidirsceóil meaning "descendant of the messenger".
Duane Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Dubháin meaning "descendant of Dubhán".
Duff Scottish, Irish
Anglicized form of Mac Dhuibh or Ó Duibh.
Duffy 1 Irish
Derived from Irish Ó Dubhthaigh meaning "descendant of Dubthach". Their original homeland was Monaghan where the surname is still the most common; they are also from Donegal and Roscommon.
Dunn English, Scottish, Irish
Derived from Old English dunn "dark" or Gaelic donn "brown", referring to hair colour or complexion.
Durnin Irish
From Irish Ó Doirnáin meaning "descendant of Doirnín", a given name meaning "little fist".
Ennis Irish
Variant of Innes 1.
Fallon Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Fallamháin meaning "descendant of Fallamhán", a given name meaning "leader".
Fannon Irish
From the Irish Ó Fionnáin meaning "descendant of Fionn".
Farrell Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Fearghail meaning "descendant of Fearghal".
Ferguson Irish, Scottish
Means "son of Fergus".
Finn Irish
Derived from the given name Fionn.
Finnegan Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Fionnagáin meaning "descendant of Fionnagán". The given name Fionnagán is a diminutive of Fionn.
Finnin Irish
Diminutive form of Finn.
Fitzgerald Irish
Means "son of Gerald" in Anglo-Norman French. It was brought to Ireland with William the Conqueror. A famous bearer was Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996), an American jazz singer.
Fitzpatrick Irish
Means "son of Patrick" in Anglo-Norman, usually adopted as an Anglicization of Mac Giolla Phádraig.
Fitzsimmons Irish
Means "son of Simon 1" in Anglo-Norman French.
Fitzwilliam Irish
Means "son of William" in Anglo-Norman French.
Flanagan Irish
From Irish Ó Flannagáin meaning "descendant of Flannagán". Flannagán is a given name meaning "blood red". From County Roscommon in Ireland, it has many other spellings.
Flannery Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Flannghaile meaning "descendant of Flannghal", a given name meaning "red valour".
Flynn Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Floinn meaning "descendant of Flann".
Foley Irish
From Irish Ó Foghladha meaning "descendant of Foghlaidh". The byname Foghlaidh meant "pirate, marauder, plunderer".
Friel Irish
From the Irish Ó Frighil meaning "descendant of Fearghal".
Fylan Irish
Variant of Whelan.
Gallagher Irish
Anglicized form of the Irish Ó Gallchobhair meaning "descendant of Gallchobhar".
Gorman 2 Irish
From the Irish Ó Gormáin meaning "descendant of Gormán". The given name Gormán means "little blue one".
Gough 2 Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Gaelic Mag Eochadha meaning "son of Eochaidh".
Grady Irish
From Irish Ó Gráda or Ó Grádaigh meaning "descendant of Gráda". The byname Gráda means "noble, illustrious".
Guinness Irish
Variant of McGuinness. The name is well known because of the Guinness brand of ale, established in 1759 by Arthur Guinness.
Halloran Irish
From Irish Ó hAllmhuráin meaning "descendant of Allmhurán". The given name Allmhurán means "stranger from across the sea".
Hayden 2 Irish
Anglicized form of Ó hÉideáin or Ó hÉidín.
Hayes 2 Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó hAodha meaning "descendant of Aodh".
Hearn Irish
Anglicized form of Ó hEachthighearna.
Heffernan Irish
From Irish Ó hIfearnáin meaning "descendant of Ifearnán". The byname Ifearnán means "little demon".
Hennessy Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó hAonghuis meaning "descendant of Aonghus".
Hickey Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó hÍcidhe meaning "descendant of the healer".
Higgins Irish
From Irish Ó hUiginn meaning "descendant of Uiginn". Uiginn is a byname meaning "Viking".
Hines Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó hEidhin meaning "descendant of Eidhin", a given name or byname of unknown origin.
Hogan Irish
From Irish Ó hÓgáin meaning "descendant of Ógán". The given name Ógán is a diminutive of óg meaning "young".
Hughes 2 Irish, Scottish
Anglicized form of Mac Aodha.
Hyland 2 Irish
Variant of Whelan.
Hynes Irish
Variant of Hines.
Ivers English, Irish
Patronymic derived from the given name Ivor.
Joyce English, Irish
From the given name Joyce.
Kane Irish
Anglicized form of Ó Catháin.
Kavanagh Irish
Derived from the Irish Gaelic name Caomhánach, which means "a student of saint Caomhán". It was the name used by a 12th-century king of Leinster, Domhnall Caomhánach, the eldest son of the historic Irish king Diarmait Mac Murchada.
Kean Irish
Anglicized form of Ó Catháin.
Keane Irish
Anglicized form of Ó Catháin.
Kearney Irish
From the Irish name Ó Ceithearnaigh meaning "descendant of Ceithearnach", a given name meaning "warrior".
Keefe Irish
Anglicized form of the Irish Ó Caoimh meaning "descendant of Caomh".
Keegan Irish
From Irish Mac Aodhagáin meaning "descendant of Aodhagán". The given name Aodhagán is a double diminutive of Aodh.
Keeley Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Caolaidhe meaning "descendant of Caoladhe", a given name derived from caol "slender".
Keely Irish
Variant of Keeley.
Kelley Irish
Variant of Kelly 1.
Kelly 1 Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Ceallaigh meaning "descendant of Ceallach".
Kennedy Irish
From the Irish name Ó Cinnéidigh meaning "descendant of Cennétig". This surname was borne by assassinated American president John F. Kennedy (1917-1963).
Key 2 Irish
Anglicized form of Mac Aodha.
Keyes 2 Irish
Anglicized form of Mac Aodha.
Keys 2 Irish
Anglicized form of Mac Aodha.
Kilduff Irish
From the Irish Mac Giolla Dhuibh meaning "son of the black-haired man".
Killough Irish
Indicated a person who was from Killough (County Down, Northern Ireland) or Killough (Wicklow, Ireland). The place name Killough means "church on the lake", derived from the Irish cill "church" and loch "lake".
Kilpatrick Irish
From the Irish Mac Giolla Phádraig meaning "son of the servant of Saint Patrick".
Lane 3 Irish
From Irish Ó Luain meaning "descendant of Luan", a given name meaning "warrior".
Lannon Irish
Variant of Lennon.
Leary Irish
Variant of O'Leary.
Lennon Irish
Anglicized form of the Irish name Ó Leannáin, which means "descendant of Leannán". The byname Leannán means "lover". The name was borne by the musician John Lennon (1940-1980).
Lynch Irish
From Irish Ó Loingsigh meaning "descendant of Loingseach", a given name meaning "mariner".
Mac Alastair Irish
Irish Gaelic form of McAlister.
Mac Amhalghaidh Irish
Irish Gaelic form of McCauley.
Mac an Bhaird Irish
Irish Gaelic form of Ward 2.
Mac Aodha Irish
Means "son of Aodh" in Irish.
Mac Aodhagáin Irish
Irish Gaelic form of Keegan.
Mac Branáin Irish
Means "son of Branán" in Irish. The given name Branán is a diminutive of Bran 1.
Mac Cába Irish
Irish form of McCabe.
Mac Cadáin Irish
Irish Gaelic form of Caden.
MacCarrick Irish
Means "son of Cúcharraige" in Irish. The given name Cúcharraige is composed of "hound" and carraig "rock".
Mac Cárthaigh Irish
Irish Gaelic form of McCarthy.
Mac Cionaodha Irish
Irish Gaelic form of McKenna.
Mac Cléirich Irish
Means "son of the clerk" in Irish.
MacClery Irish
Anglicized form of Mac Cléirich.
Mac Cnáimhín Irish
Means "son of Cnámh". The Irish given name Cnámh means "bone".
Mac Conmara Irish
Irish Gaelic form of McNamara.
Mac Cormaic Irish
Irish Gaelic form of McCormick.
MacCoughlan Irish
Means "son of Cochlán". The given name Cochlán is derived from Irish cochal meaning "cape" or "hood".
Mac Daibhéid Irish
Irish Gaelic form of McDevitt.
Mac Dhuibhinse Irish
Irish Gaelic form of Vincent 2.
Mac Dhuibhshíthe Irish
Means "son of Duibhshíth" in Irish. The given name Duibhshíth means "black peace".
Mac Diarmada Irish
Irish Gaelic form of McDermott.
Mac Eoghain Irish
Means "son of Eoghan" in Irish.
Mac Fhlannchaidh Irish
Irish Gaelic form of Clancy.
Mac Ghabhann Irish
Means "son of the smith" in Irish.
Mac Giolla Bhrighde Irish
Means "son of the servant of Brighid" in Irish.
Mac Giolla Dhuibh Irish
Irish Gaelic form of Kilduff.
Mac Giolla Eoin Irish
Irish Gaelic form of McLean.
Mac Giolla Rí Irish
Means "son of the king's servant" in Irish.
Mac Giolla Ruaidh Irish
Means "son of the red-haired servant" in Irish.
MacGowan Irish
Anglicized form of Mac Ghabhann.
Mac Íomhair Irish
Irish Gaelic form of McIver.
Mac Maghnuis Irish
Irish Gaelic form of McManus.
Mac Mathghamhna Irish
Irish Gaelic form of McMahon.
Mac Naoimhín Irish
Means "son of Naomhán" in Irish.
Mac Neachtain Irish
Means "son of Nechtan" in Irish.
Mac Néill Irish
Irish form of McNeil.
MacNevin Irish
Anglicized form of Mac Naoimhín.
Mac Niadh Irish
Means "son of Niadh" in Irish. The given name Niadh means "champion".
Mac Óda Irish
Means "son of Odo" in Irish.
Mac Pharlain Irish
Irish Gaelic form of McFarlane.
Mac Síthigh Irish
Irish Gaelic form of McSheehy.
Mac Suibhne Irish
Means "son of Suibhne" in Irish.
Mac Thaidhg Irish
Irish Gaelic form of McCaig.
Mac Uileagóid Irish
Irish Gaelic form of McElligott.
Madden Irish
Anglicized form of Ó Madaidhín.
Madigan Irish
Anglicized form of Ó Madaidhín.
Mag Aonghuis Irish
Irish Gaelic form of McGuinness.
Magee Irish, Scottish
Anglicized form of Mac Aodha.
Mag Eochadha Irish
Irish Gaelic form of McGough.
Magorian Irish
Possibly a variant of McGowan or McGovern.
Mag Shamhradháin Irish
Irish Gaelic form of McGovern.
Mag Uidhir Irish
Irish Gaelic form of McGuire.
Maguire Irish
Variant of McGuire.
Mahoney Irish
Anglicized form of the Irish Ó Mathghamhna meaning "descendant of Mathgamain".
Malley Irish
Anglicized form of Ó Máille.
Mallon Irish
Variant of Malone.
Malloye Irish
Variant of Molloy.
Malone Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Maoil Eoin meaning "descendant of a disciple of Saint John".
Markey Irish
From the Irish Ó Marcaigh meaning "descendant of Marcach", a given name meaning "horse rider".
McAdams Scottish, Irish
Means "son of Adam" in Gaelic.
McAfee Scottish, Irish
Anglicized form of MacDhubhshìth.
McAlister Scottish, Irish
From Scottish Gaelic MacAlastair or Irish Gaelic Mac Alastair meaning "son of Alistair".
McBride Irish
Anglicized form of Mac Giolla Bhrighde.
McCabe Irish, Scottish
Means "son of Cába", where Cába is a byname meaning "cape, cloak" (from Latin cappa).
McCarthy Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Mac Cárthaigh meaning "son of Carthach".
McCauley Irish, Scottish
Anglicized form of Gaelic Mac Amhalghaidh or Mac Amhalghadha meaning "son of Amhalghaidh". The given name Amhalghaidh, from Old Irish Amalgaid, is of uncertain meaning.
McCleary Irish
Anglicized form of Mac Cléirich.
McClelland Irish, Scottish
From Gaelic Mac Giolla Fhaoláin meaning "son of the servant of Faolán".
McConnell Scottish, Irish
Derived from Gaelic MacDhòmhnaill (see MacDonald).
McCormick Irish, Scottish
From Gaelic Mac Cormaic meaning "son of Cormac".
McCracken Irish, Scottish
Anglicized form of Mac Reachtain, Ulster Irish variant of Mac Neachtain.
McCrory Irish, Scottish
Anglicized form of Gaelic Mac Ruaidhrí meaning "son of Ruaidhrí".
McCullough Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Mac Cú Uladh meaning "son of Cú Uladh". The byname Cú Uladh means "hound of Ulster". This surname has also been associated with Old Irish cullach "boar".
McCune Irish
Anglicized form of Mac Eoghain.
McDermott Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Mac Diarmada meaning "son of Diarmaid". The McDermotts were nobility in the Kingdom of Connaught, a province in Ireland.
McDevitt Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Mac Daibhéid meaning "son of Dáibhí".
McElligott Irish
Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Mac Uileagóid meaning "son of Uileagóid", a diminutive of Uilleag.
McFarlane Scottish, Irish
Anglicized form of Scottish Gaelic MacPhàrlain or Irish Gaelic Mac Pharlain meaning "son of Parthalán".
McFee Scottish, Irish
Anglicized form of MacDhubhshìth.
McGee Irish, Scottish
Anglicized form of Mac Aodha.
McGill Irish, Scottish
Anglicized form of Gaelic Mac an Ghoill meaning "son of the foreigner", derived from gall "foreigner".
McGough Irish
Variant of Gough 2.
McGovern Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Gaelic Mag Shamhradháin meaning "son of Samhradháin", a given name meaning "summer".
McGowan Irish
Anglicized form of Mac Ghabhann.
McGuinness Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Mag Aonghuis meaning "son of Aonghus".
McGuire Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Mag Uidhir meaning "son of Odhar", a given name meaning "pale-coloured".
McIver Scottish, Irish
Anglicized form of Gaelic MacIomhair meaning "son of Íomhar".
McKee Scottish, Irish
Anglicized form of Mac Aodha.
McKeever Irish
Variant of McIver.
McKenna Irish, Scottish
Anglicized form of Gaelic Mac Cionaodha meaning "son of Cionaodh".
McKowen Irish
Anglicized form of Mac Eoghain.
McMahon Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Mac Mathghamhna meaning "son of Mathgamain".
McManus Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Mac Maghnuis meaning "son of Mághnus".
McNab Scottish, Irish
Anglicized form of Gaelic Mac an Aba meaning "son of the abbot".
McNamara Irish
From Irish Mac Conmara meaning "son of Conmara". The given name Conmara is composed of "hound" and muir "sea".
McNee Irish
Anglicized form of Mac Niadh.
McNiven Irish
Anglicized form of Mac Cnáimhín.
McReynolds Scottish, Irish
Means "son of Reynold" in Gaelic.
McSheehy Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Gaelic Mac Síthigh, meaning "son of Sítheach".
Meaney Irish
Variant of O'Mooney.
Milligan Irish
Anglicized form of the Irish Ó Maolagáin meaning "descendant of Maolagán", a given name derived from maol meaning "bald" or "tonsured".
Mohan Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Ó Mocháin meaning "descendant of Mochán".
Mollown Irish
Variant of Malone.
Moloney Irish
From Irish Ó Maol Dhomhnaigh meaning "descendant of a church servant".
Monahan Irish
From Irish Ó Manacháin meaning "descendant of Manacháin". The given name Manacháin meant "little monk", from manach "monk" and a diminutive suffix.
Monday 3 Irish
Anglicized form of Mac Giolla Eoin. The last part of the surname was mistakenly taken as the Gaelic word for "Monday", Luain.