Behind the Name
the etymology and history of surnames
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Irish Names

Ahearn
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Ahearne.

Ahearne
Usage: Irish
Variant of MacEachthighearna.

Beirne
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of O'Byrne.

Berne
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of O'Byrne.

Boyle
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of O'Boyle.

Brady
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Irish Brádaigh, meaning "spirited".

Breckenridge
Usage: Scottish, Irish, English
Extra: Statistics
A habitational name for someone from Brackenrig in Lanarkshire, named with the northern Middle English braken, meaning "bracken", (from the Old Norse brækni) and rigg, meaning "ridge" (from the Old Norse hryggr), or from a similarly named place located in northern England.

Breen
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Irish Gaelic "Ó Braoin." Broin means "sorrow" or "sadness".

Brennan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Irish surname Ó Braonáin which means "descendent of Braonán". Braonán is a first name meaning "sorrow." It is comprised of braon, "tear drop" and a diminutive suffix.

Brogan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Derived from the Irish word bróg meaning "shoe." Brogan means "shoemaker". As a first name, it was borne by St. Patrick's scribe.

Buckley (3)
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From Gaelic Ó Buachalla meaning "descendent of Buachaill", a nickname meaning "cowherd".

Burke
Usage: English, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Derived from Middle English burk, meaning "fort or fortified town". It was brought to Ireland in the 12th century by the Norman invader William FitzAdelm de Burgo.

Burns (2)
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of O'Byrne.

Butler
Usage: English, Irish
Extra: Statistics
The surname comes from the Middle English word botte, which means "a vat or large trough used to contain wine". A butler (from Middle English boteler) was the servant in charge of the botts. A famous bearer of this surname is the fictional character of Rhett Butler, created by Margaret Mitchell for her novel 'Gone With The Wind'.

Byrne
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of O'Byrne.

Byrnes
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of O'Byrne.

Callaghan
Usage: Irish
Anglicized variant of O'Callaghan.

Carey
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From Irish Gaelic Ó Ciardha. It means "dark" from the Irish word ciar.

Carmody
Usage: Irish
Anglicized version of the Gaelic Ó Cearmada, which means "descendant of Cearmaid", a Gaelic first name.

Casey
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Irish surname Ó Cathasaigh, which means "descendent of Cathasaigh". The name Cathasaigh means "vigilant" in Gaelic.

Cassidy
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Gaelic Ó Caiside meaning "descendent of Caiside". Caiside is a first name meaning "curly haired" from Gaelic cas.

Cavanagh
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Kavanagh.

Cavanah
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Kavanagh.

Cavanaugh
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Kavanagh.

Cleary
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From O'Cleirigh, meaning "descendent of the clerk." Cléireach is Irish gaelic for "clerk." This surname originally indicated the descendents of Cleirach, a 9th-century prince of the family of King Guare of Connacht.

Clinton
Usage: English, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Derived from a place name meaning "settlement on the summit" in Old English.

Coghlan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Derived from the Irish MacCochlain, meaning "cape" or "hood". This surname orginated in County Cork, Ireland.

Coleman
Usage: Irish, English
Extra: Statistics
From the given name Colmán.

Collins (1)
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
The surname is an anglicization of Irish Ó Coileáin which means "descendent of Coileán", an Irish name meaning "young whelp" or "young creature". A famous bearer was Michael Collins, a Irish nationalist leader who was assassinated in 1922.

Connelly
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of either O'Connell or Connolly.

Connolly
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Irish Ó Conghaile, which means "the descendent of the valorous".

Cooney
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Irish Gaelic Ó Cuana. Cuana may be derived from the word for "handsome," or the personal name Cuán, meaning "little wolf" or "little hound". The Cooney sept originated in County Tyrone in Northern Ireland and spread south and west, and is now principally found in Northern Connaught. The motto for the name Cooney is 'Virtue is the only nobility', and the shield is a silver arrow with the tip pointing to the left above the forward-facing palm and fingers of the right hand on a green field.

Corcoran
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From Ó Corcrain meaning "descendent of Corcran", a given name derived from from the Gaelic word corcair "purple".

Coughlan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Coghlan.

Coughlin
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Coghlan.

Crawford
Usage: English, Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
From a place name derived from Old English crawa "crow" and ford "river crossing".

Cummins
Usage: English, Scottish, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Means "descendant of Cuimin", a Breton name meaning "little bent one".

Curran
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From Gaelic Ó Corraidhín meaning "descendent of Corraidhín", a given name meaning "little spear".

Daley
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Daly.

Daly
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Derived from old Irish daliagh, meaning "assembler, one who calls councils". The name has strong roots in the county Cork.

Davin
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
A variant of Devine.

Delaney
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Old Irish Ó Dúbhshláine, derived from the word dubh meaning "dark or black", and the name of the river Slaine (Slaney). Alternatively, the second element may be slan meaning "defiance". The first bearers of this surname were a sept within the areas now known as Laois and Kilkenny, though they probably had migrated westward to this area from the Wicklow / Enniscorthy / Wexford area, due to their original proximity to the Slaney River. The most famous person to bear this name was a Church of Ireland clergyman and close friend of Jonathan Swift: Patrick Delaney (1685-1768).

Delany
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
A variant of Delaney.

Dempsey
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From Gaelic Ó Díomasaigh meaning "decendent of Díomasach", a given name meaning "proud".

Devine
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Irish Ó Daimhin, meaning "descendent of a poet," from daimhin, "poet, bard." A contemporary bearer of this surname is Ned Devine, the title character of the popular film "Waking Ned Devine".

Devlin
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized rendering of the Gaelic O'Duibhlin, meaning literally, "descendant of Duibhlinn", a personal name which may be derived from the Gaelic term dubh meaning "black".

Doherty
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Irish Ó Dochartaigh, which means "obstructive".

Dolan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Gaelic Ó Dobhailen, meaning "black defiance, challenge". It is derived from dubh meaning "dark".

Donaghue
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Donoghue.

Donne
Usage: Scottish, Irish
Extra: Statistics
From Gaelic donn meaning "brown", a nickname for a person with brown hair.

Donnell
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
A variant of O'Donnell.

Donnelly
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Irish "Ó Donnghaile," meaning "the descendent of Donnghaile." Donnghaile means "brown valor", from duinn, "brown" and conghaile,"valorous." Like O'Donnell, this surname is associated with the descendents of Niall of the Nine Hostages.

Donoghue
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
From the Gaelic Ó Donnchadha, meaning "the descendent of Donnchadh".

Donohoe
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Donoghue.

Donohue
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Donoghue.

Dougherty
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Doherty.

Doyle
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Gaelic surname Ó Dubhghaill, which means "descendent of Dubhghall". The name Dubhghall means "dark stranger" in Gaelic. A famous bearer was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of the Sherlock Holmes mystery stories.

Driscoll
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From Gaelic Ó hEidersceoil meaning "descendent of the interpreter or messenger".

Duffy (1)
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Derived from Ó Dubhthaigh, an Irish name meaning "black" or "swarthy". Their original homeland was Monaghan, where their surname is still the most common; they are also from Donegal and Roscommon.

Duffy (2)
Usage: Scottish, Irish
Extra: Statistics
From Gaelic Mac Dhuibhshíthe meaning "descendent of Dhuibhshíthe", a name meaning "black peace".

Duncan
Usage: Scottish, Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the given name Duncan.

Duncanson
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
Means "son of Duncan".

Durnin
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From Gaelic Ó Doirnín meaning "descendent of Doirnín", a given name meaning "little fist".

Fannon
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Irish Ó Fionnáin which meant "son of Fionn".

Ferguson
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
Means "son of Fergus".

Finn
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Derived from the given name Fionn.

Finnin
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Fair birth; handsome. Variant of Finghin - (FIN-jin), Fionn, Fionnbarr. Fineen, Finnin, Fionan, Finian, Finbar.

Fitzgerald
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Means "son of Gerald" in Anglo-Norman French. Brought over to Ireland with William the Conqueror.

Fitzpatrick
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Means "son of Patrick" in Anglo-Norman French.

Fitzsimmons
Usage: Irish
Means "son of Simmons" or "son of Simon" in Anglo-Norman French.

Flanagan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From Ó Flannagáin meaning "descendent of Flannagán". Flannagán is a given name meaning "red". From County Roscommon in Ireland, it has many other ways to spell it, and it is the 69th most popular name in Ireland.

Flanagon
Usage: Irish
Variant of Flanagan.

Flynn
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From Irish O'Floinn, which means "descendent of Floinn". Floinn is a personal name meaning "ruddy" in Irish.

Foley
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Irish meaning "pirate" or "marauder".

Friel
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Gaelic Ó Frighil, meaning "the descendent of Fearghal".

Fylan
Usage: Irish
Variant of Whalen.

Gallagher
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Gaelic Ó Gallchobhair. The meaning of the given name Galchobhar is unsure, but has been translated as "foreign help".

Gorman (2)
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Irish Ó Gormáin meaning "descendent of Gormán". This given name Gormán means "little blue one".

Guinness
Usage: Irish
Anclization of Mag Aonghuis. This name goes back to a 5th-century chief of Dal Araidhe (Dalriada) in Scotland. The name gained fame from the Guinness brand of ale, established in 1759 by Arthur Guinness.

Halloran
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Gaelic Ó hAllmhuráin meaning "descendent of hAllmhurán". The given name hAllmhurán means "stranger from across the sea".

Hanegan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of O'Hannagain.

Hanigan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of O'Hannagain.

Hannigan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of O'Hannagain.

Hannigen
Usage: Irish
Variant of O'Hannagain.

Hayden
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From a place name meaning "hay hill" in Old English.

Heffernan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From Gaelic Ó Hifearnáin, which comes from the personal name Ifearnán, which means "demon".

Hickey
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Gaelic Ó hIcidhe, meaning "descendent of a healer".

Higgins
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Gaelic Ó hUiginn which means "descendent of Uiginn". Uiginn is derived from uigín, meaning "knowledge." Uiginn is also a personal name meaning "Viking". It probably gained its Norse connotation from Huginn, the mythical raven of the god Odin. Huginn is Old Norse for "thought".

Hines
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Ó hEidhin "descendent of Eidhin", a personal name or byname of unknown origin.

Hogan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From O'hÓgáin meaning "descendent of Ógán". The given name Ógán is a diminutive of óg meaning "young".

Ivers
Usage: English, Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the first name Iver, a variant of Ivor. It means "archer". The Gaelic spelling of this name is Iomhair.

Kavanagh
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
The surname and all its variations is derived from the Irish Gaelic name Caomhánach, which means "a student of St. Caomhan". It was the name used by a 12th century King of Leinster, Domhnall Caomhánach (Donal Kavanagh), the eldest son of the historic Irish King, Diarmait Mac Murchad (Dermot MacMurrough), but earlier ancestors of the Clan were Kings of Leinster many generations before the first Kavanagh.

Kavanah
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Kavanagh.

Kavanaugh
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Kavanagh.

Kearney
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Gaelic surname Ó Ceithearnaigh meaning "descendent of Ceithearnach", a given name meaning "warrior".

Kelly (1)
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Gaelic Ó Ceallaigh, which means "descendent of Ceallach".

Kennedy
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
From the Irish Gaelic Ó Cinnéidigh meaning "kinsmen of Brian Boru." Cean éidig literally means "mishapen head," a nickname for Brian Boru's father. This surname was borne by assassinated American president John F. Kennedy.

Kerry
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Carey. It may also refer to a person from County Kerry in Ireland.

Kilduff
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Fom the Gaelic Mac Giolla Dhuibh meaning "son of the black(haired) man".

Killough
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Means "from Killough (County Down, Northern Ireland) or Killough (Wicklow, Ireland)". The place name Killough means "church on the lake" derived from the Irish cill meaning "church" and locha meaning "lake".

Lane (3)
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Gaelic Ó Luain "descendent of Luan", a given name meaning "warrior".

Lannon
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Lennon.

Lennon
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Leannáin, which means "descendent of Leannán". The name Leannán means "lover" in Gaelic. The name has also been borne by the famous Beatles member John Lennon.

MacBride
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Mac Giolla Bhrighde.

MacCailín
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Means "son of Cailín".

MacCarrick
Usage: Irish
Means "son of Cúcharraige" in Irish. The given name Cúcharraige is composed of "hound" + carraig "rock".

MacCarthy
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Means "son of Carthach" in Irish. The given name Carthach meant "loving".

MacClellan
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
Variant form of MacClelland.

MacClelland
Usage: Irish
From Gaelic Mac Gille Fhaolain meaning "son of the servant of Faolán".

MacClery
Usage: Irish
Variant of O'Cleirigh.

Mac Cnáimhín
Usage: Irish
Means "son of Cnámh", Cnamh means "bone".

MacConnell
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
The name McConnell in Ireland is often of Scottish origin and can be derived from the native Gaelic MacDomhnaill, which translates as "son of Donnell." The old Irish version of the name is Domhnaill; its personal-name form is Donald. The name is mostly found in the Province of Ulster and especially in countries Antrim, Down and Tyrone.

MacCoughlan
Usage: Irish
Means "son of Coghlan".

MacDermott
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From Irish, meaning "son of Difharmait". The given name Difharmait meant "free from envy". Historically the McDermotts were nobility in the Kingdom of Connaught, a province in Ireland.

MacEachthighearna
Usage: Scottish, Irish
Means "son of the horse lord".

MacFarland
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Mac Pharlain.

MacFarlane
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of MacFarland.

MacGhabhann
Usage: Irish
Means "son of the smith".

Mac Gill Fhaolain
Usage: Scottish, Irish
Means "son of the devotee of Saint Fillan".

Mac Giolla Bhrighde
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Means "son of the devotee of Saint Brigid".

Mac Giolla Eoin
Usage: Irish
Means "son of the servant of Eoin".

MacGowan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of MacGhabhann.

MacGrory
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Means "son of Rory".

MacGuinness
Usage: Irish
Anglicized form of Mag Aonghuis.

MacGuire
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Maguire.

MacIomhair
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Means "son of Ivor".

MacIver
Usage: Scottish, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of MacIomhair.

MacKay
Usage: Scottish, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of McKay.

MacMathan
Usage: Irish
Means "son of the bear" in Irish.

Mac Naoimhín
Usage: Scottish, Irish
From the Irish Gaelic Mac Naomhán, meaning "son of Naomhan".

MacNeil
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of McNeil.

MacNevin
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Mac Naoimhín.

Mac Niadh
Usage: Irish
Means "son of Niadh" in Irish. Niadh is a male first name that means "champion".

Mac Niall
Usage: Irish
Variant of McNeil.

Mac Pharlain
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Means "son of Parlan", Parlan most likely comes from the personal name Partholon meaning "spirit of the waves".

MacQueen
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
Derived from MacShuibhne.

MacShuibhne
Usage: Irish
Means "son of the pleasant one" from the Gaelic word suibhne.

Madden
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Ó Madaidhín.

Madigan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Madden.

Mag Aonghuis
Usage: Irish
Means "son of Aonghus".

Magee
Usage: Scottish, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of McKay.

Maguire
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of McGuire.

Mahoney
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized version of the Irish Ó Mocháin meaning "descendent of Mochán", a given name meaning "early".

Mallon
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Malone.

Malloye
Usage: Irish
Variant of Molloy (1) or Molloy (2).

Malone
Usage: Irish, English
Extra: Statistics
From the Irish Ó Maoileoin, which denotes a devotee of St. John, maol being Gaelic for "follower." Because the bearers of the name were for the most part illiterate, there are many different spelling of this surname.

Maoilseachlainn
Usage: Irish
Means "devotee of St. Sechnall" in Irish Gaelic, from maol, meaning "follower" and the saint's name. This was the surname of a high king, one of St. Patrick's companions.

Markey
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Gaelic Ó Marcaigh meaning "descendent of Marchach", a name meaning "horse rider".

McAdams
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
Means "son of Adam." The name originated in Scotland but is known as a Scotch-Irish name. The McAdams were originally thought to be a part of the infamous MacGregor clan of Scotland. However, new information suggests that they may actually be a part of the Gordon clan.

McCabe
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Means "son of Cába", where Cába is a given name that meant "cape".

McCaig
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Gaelic Mac Thaidhg, meaning "son of Tadhg".

McCormick
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Means "son of Cormac".

McCracken
Usage: Scottish, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Gaelic Mac Reachtain, Ulster variant of Mac Neachtain meaning "decendent of Neachdan".

McCune
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Mac Eoghain, meaning "son of Eoghan" in Gaelic.

McElligott
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac Uileagóid, which was derved from a pet form of William.

McGee
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Aodha, meaning "son of Aodh".

McGill
Usage: Scottish, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Means "descendent of the foreigner" in Gaelic.

McGinnis
Usage: Scottish, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Mag Aonghuis.

McGuire
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
From the Irish Mag Uidhir, meaning "pale-colored".

McKowen
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Derived from either Mac Eoghain, meaning "son of Eoghan", or from Mac Eoin, meaning "son of John".

McLain
Usage: Scottish, Irish
Extra: Statistics
From Gaelic Mac Gille Eáin meaning "son of the servant of John".

McLean
Usage: Scottish, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of McLain.

McMahon
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Mac Mathghamahna meaning "son of Mathghamhain". The name Mathghamhain is an old Gaelic name meaning "bear".

McManus
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Gaelic Mac Maghnuis which means "son of Manus". Manus is the Irish form of Magnus.

McNab
Usage: Scottish, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicization of the Gaelic Mac an Aba, literally "the son of the abbot". Perhaps slightly scandalous as the child of a (presumably celibate) monk.

McNabb
Usage: Scottish, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of McNab.

McNamara
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Means "son of Conmara" in Irish. The given name Conmara was composed of "hound" + muir "sea".

McNeil
Usage: Scottish, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Means "son of Neil" in Gaelic.

McNeill
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of McNeil.

McNiadh
Usage: Irish
Variant of Mac Niadh.

McNiall
Usage: Irish
Variant of McNeil.

McNiel
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of McNeil.

McReynolds
Usage: Scottish, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Meaning "son of Reynold".

Meaney
Usage: Irish
Variant of Mooney.

Milligan
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
From the Gaelic given name Maolagán, a derivative of maol meaning "bald" or "tonsured".

Mitchell
Usage: English, Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
Derived from the given name Michael.

Moffett
Usage: Scottish, Irish
Extra: Statistics
From a place name in Scotland meaning "long field".

Mollown
Usage: Irish
Variant of Malone.

Molloy (1)
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of O'Maolmhuaidh.

Molloy (2)
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Ó Maol Aodha.

Moloney
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From Irish Ó Maol Dhomhnaigh "descendant of a church servant".

Monaghan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Monahan.

Monahan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Gaelic Ó Manacháin meaning "descendent of Manacháin". The given name Manacháin meant "little monk," from manach "monk" and a diminutive suffix.

Monday (3)
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Mac Giolla Eoin. The last part of the surname was mistakenly taken as the Gaelic word for "Monday", Luain.

Mooney
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
A variant of O'Mooney.

Moriarty
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From Irish Ó Muircheartaigh, meaning "expert navigator." Muir means "sea". This is the surname given by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to the most well-known antagonist in the Sherlock Holmes series.

Morris
Usage: English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh
Extra: Statistics
Derived from the given name Maurice.

Mullane
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Mullen.

Mullen
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Gaelic Ó Maoláin meaning "descendent of Maolán". The given name Maolán meant "devotee".

Mulligan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Milligan.

Mullins (2)
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Fom the Irish Ó Maolain meaning "descendent of Maolan", a given name meaning "bald".

Mulloy
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Molloy (1) or Molloy (2).

Mulrennan
Usage: Irish
It comes from the Irish Maol Bhréanáin, meaning "bald followers of Saint Brendan," a reference to monks' tonsures. The name originated in the North West of Ireland, in Roscommon.

Mulryan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of the Irish surname O'Maoilríaghain.

Munroe
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Monroe.

Murdock
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Derived from the given name Murchadh.

Murphy
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Gaelic Ó Murchadha, which means "descendent of Murchadh". The name Murchadh means "sea warrior" in Gaelic.

Neville
Usage: English, Irish
Extra: Statistics
From a Norman French place name meaning "new town".

Nevin (1)
Usage: Scottish, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Mac Naoimhín.

Nevin (2)
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Mac Cnáimhín or Ó Cnáimhín.

Newell
Usage: English, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Neville.

Niven
Usage: Scottish, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Nevin (1).

Nolan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Ó Nualláin.

O'Beirne
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of O'Byrne.

O'Berne
Usage: Irish
Variant of O'Byrne.

O'Boyle
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From Irish Ó Baoghill, the derivation of which is uncertain, but thought to be connected to the Irish geall, meaning "pledge".

O'Brien
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Irish Ó Brian, meaning "descendant of Brian".

O'Byrne
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From Irish Ó Broin, which comes from the given name Branach, which means "raven".

O'Callaghan
Usage: Irish
"Descendant of Ceallachan", a diminutive of Ceallach, which probably meant "strife".

Ó Catháin
Usage: Irish
Means "descendent of Cathan".

O'Cleirigh
Usage: Irish
From Ó Cleirigh; cléireach is the Irish word for "clerk". This surname is the Irish variant of the English Clark.

O'Clery
Usage: Irish
Variant of O'Cleirigh.

Ó Cnáimhín
Usage: Irish
Means "descendant of Cnámh", cnamh meaning "bone".

O'Connell
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Irish Ó Conaill, meaning "the descendent of Conall".

O'Connor
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From Irish Gaelic Ó Conchobhair meaning "descendent of Conchobhar".

O'Donnell
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Irish Ó Domhnaill, meaning "descendent of the ruler of the world." Domhnaill is composed of the Old Celtic elements dumno "world" and val "rule". This surname is associated with Niall of the Nine Hostages and his ancient homeland in County Donegal, Ireland.

O'Doyle
Usage: Irish
Variant of Doyle.

O'Gorman
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Gorman (2).

O'Hanegan
Usage: Irish
Variant of O'Hannagain.

O'Hanigan
Usage: Irish
Variant of O'Hannigain.

O'Hannagain
Usage: Irish
From Irish Ó Hannagáin, which means "descendant of Annagán". Annagán is a diminutive of Annadh, meaning "delay".

O'Hannagan
Usage: Irish
Variant of O'Hannagain.

O'Hannegan
Usage: Irish
Variant of O'Hannagain.

O'Hannigain
Usage: Irish
Variant of O'Hannagain.

O'Hannigan
Usage: Irish
Variant of O'Hannagain.

O'Hara
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Irish Ó Heaghra, which means "the descendent of Eaghra," Ehra being a first name of uncertain origin. Eaghra was the lord of Luighne in County Sligo and died in 926. A famous bearer of this surname is Scarlett O'Hara, a fictional character in Margaret Mitchell's 'Gone With The Wind'.

O'Hearn
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Ahearn, meaning "descedent of Ahearn".

O'Kane
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Derived from the surname Ó Catháin.

O'Keefe
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the rish Gaelic Ó Caoimh meaning "descendent of Caomh". Caomh means "gentle" or "kind".

O'Leary
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Irish Ó Laoghaire, meaning "the descendent of the keeper of cattle".

Ó Madaidhín
Usage: Irish
Means "descendant of Madaihín", a personal name derived from the Gaelic madadh meaning "dog, mastiff".

Ó Máille
Usage: Irish
Means "descendant of a nobleman" from the Irish Gaelic mál.

O'Malley
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Derived from Ó Máille.

O'Maoilríaghain
Usage: Irish
Means "descendant of a follower of Ríagain." It is derived from the Irish maol, meaning "follower," and Ríagain, a personal name of unknown meaning. Ríagain may be a variant of Reagan or could be derived from ríodhgach, meaning "implusive, furious".

Ó Maol Aodha
Usage: Irish
Means "descendant of a devotee of Saint Aodh." It is derived from the Irish maol, meaning "follower, servant".

O'Maolmhuaidh
Usage: Irish
Means "descendant of Maolmhuadh", Maolmhuadh is a personal name meaning "proud chief" derived from the Gaelic word meaning "chief" and muadh meaning "proud" or "noble".

Ó Meadhra
Usage: Irish
Means "descendant of Meadhra". The personal name Meadhra is derived from the Gaelic meadhar meaning "merry, happy".

Ó Meara
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Derived from Ó Meadhra.

O'Mooney
Usage: Irish
From the Irish Ó Maonaigh. It means "the descendant of Maonaigh." Maonaigh meaning either "wealthy" or "dumb".

O'Neal
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Means "descendent of Niall," the original Gaelic spelling of Neil.

O'Neill
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of O'Neal.

O'Niall
Usage: Irish
Variant of O'Neal.

Ó Nualláin
Usage: Irish
Means "descendant of Nuallán", Nuallán means "little noble, famous one" from the Gaelic nuall.

Ó Peatain
Usage: Irish
Means "descendent of Patrick".

Ó Raghailligh
Usage: Irish
Means "descendent of Raghailligh", a Gaelic first name of unknown meaning.

O'Reilly
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Ó Raghailligh.

Ó Ríagáin
Usage: Irish
Means "descendant of Riagáin". The meaning of Riagáin is uncertain but may be derived from the Irish ríodhgach meaning "impulsive, furious".

Ó Riain
Usage: Irish
Means "descendant of Riaghain".

Ó Rinn
Usage: Irish
Means "descendant of Rinn". Rinn means "star" from the Irish rinn.

Ó Rodagh
Usage: Irish
Means "descendant of Rodach". Rodach means "spirited, furious" from the Irish rod.

Ó Ruadháin
Usage: Irish
Means "descendant of Ruadhán", a personal name meaning "red" from the Gaelic ruadh.

Ó Ruaidh
Usage: Irish
Means "descendant of Ruadh", from the Gaelic ruadh meaning "red".

Ó Scolaidhe
Usage: Irish
Means "descendant of the scholar" from the Irish scholaidhe.

Ó Séaghdha
Usage: Irish
Means "descendant of Séaghdha". Séaghdha means "hawklike, stately".

Ó Seighin
Usage: Irish
Means "descendant of Seighin". Seighin means "small hawk" from the Old Irish séigene.

O'Shea
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Ó Séaghdha.

Ó Síoda
Usage: Irish
Means "descendant of Síoda". Síoda means "silk".

Ó Suaird
Usage: Irish
Means "descendant of Suart", Suart is derived from the Old Norse cognate of the Old English Sigeweard meaning "protector of victory".

O'Sullivan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Sullivan.

Ó Taidhg
Usage: Irish
Means "descendant of Tadhg".

Owens
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From Gaelic Ó hEoghain meaning "descendent of Eoghan".

Patton (2)
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
An Anglicized version of Ó Peatain, possibly derived from shortened forms of Patrick.

Payne
Usage: Irish, Scottish, English
Extra: Statistics
Means "villager, rustic" and later "heathen" from the Middle English Payn, Old French Paien which was often given to children whose baptism had been postponed or adults whose religious zeal was lacking.

Power (1)
Usage: English, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Means "from Pois (Picardy), France".

Powers
Usage: English, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Power (1).

Queen
Usage: English, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Means "woman" from the Old English cwen which was sometimes used as a personal name. In some occurances the meaning could simply have been "queen" derived from the Old English cwene. Occasionally it could be a shortened form of MacQueen.

Quick
Usage: English, Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Quigley.

Quickley
Usage: English, Irish, Scottish
Variant of Quigley.

Quigg
Usage: English, Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Quigley.

Quigley
Usage: English, Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
Derived from Middle English quik or Old English cwic, which both mean "lively". It's an English nickname for an agile person. This is also sometimes a place name derived from the place where cinch grass grew: it was a quick-growing grass.

Quinlan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Irish surname Ó Caoindealbháin, which means "descendent of Caoinlean". The name Caoinlean means "slender woman," from the Gaelic caol, "slim" and bhean, "woman".

Quinn
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Irish surname Ó Cuinn, which means "descendent of Cuinn". The name Cuinn is a variant of Conn.

Quirk
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Quirke.

Quirke
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From chroi, a Gaelic word meaning "heart".

Ready (3)
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Ó Rodagh.

Reagan (1)
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Ó Ríagáin.

Regan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Ó Ríagáin.

Reilly
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of the Gaelic given name Raghilleach which is of unknown origin, possibly "right arm".

Rice
Usage: English, Welsh, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized version of the first name Rhys. Variant of Rees.

Rinne (1)
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Ó Rinn.

Roche
Usage: French, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Roach.

Rowan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Ó Ruadháin.

Rowe
Usage: English, Scottish, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Means "dweller by a row of hedges or houses" from the Middle English row. Some examples of the name are derived from the medieval name Row which is either a variant of Rollo or Roland.

Ruane
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Ó Ruadháin.

Ryan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Ó Riain. Although sometimes a simplified form of Mulryan.

Sams
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Derived from the given name Samuel.

Scully
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Ó Scolaidhe.

Seward (3)
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Ó Suaird.

Shannon
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
A diminutive of the Gaelic Ó Seanaigh which means "descendent of Seanach". The first name Seanach means "wise".

Sheach
Usage: Scottish, Irish
Variant of Sheehy.

Sheedy
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Ó Síoda.

Sheehy
Usage: Scottish, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of the Gaelic given name Sítheach meaning "mysterious, eerie".

Sheenan
Usage: Irish
Variant of Shannon.

Sheridan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Gaelic name Ó Siride´in meaning "descendent of Siridean". The first name Siridean means "searcher".

Shine (2)
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Ó Seighin.

Slane
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Means "from Slane (County Meath), Ireland".

Sloan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Patronymic name derived from the early Irish given name Sluaghadh meaning "raid, expedition".

Sloane
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Sloan.

Sullivan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Irish surname Ó Súileabháin which means "descendent of Súileabhán". The name Súileabhán means "little dark eye".

Taggart
Usage: Irish, Scottish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicization of the Irish language surname Mac an tSagairt, meaning "son of the priest". The name is quite old, and comes from a time and place in (primarily the north of) Ireland where the rules of priestly celibacy were not strictly enforced.

Teague (1)
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Ó Taidhg.

Tierney
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Irish Gaelic Ó Tíghearnaigh, meaning "descendant of Tighearnach".

Tighe
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Anglicized form of Ó Taidhg.

Tracey (2)
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Derived from the native Irish Ó Treasaigh meaning "descendent of Treasach". The given name Treasach means "war-like" or "fighter".

Tracy
Usage: Irish, English
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Tracey (1) or Tracey (2).

Treacy
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
Variant of Tracey (2).

Wallace
Usage: English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh
Extra: Statistics
Means "foreigner or stranger" from the Norman French le waleis. It was often used to denote native Welsh and Bretons. Borne by Sir William Wallace of Scotland.

Walsh
Usage: English, Irish
Extra: Statistics
Means "Celtic", from Middle English walsche "foreigner" (related to Welsh).

Whalen
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Irish Ó Faoláin meaning "descendent of Faolán".

Whelan
Usage: Irish
Extra: Statistics
From the Gaelic Ó Faoláin meaning "descendent of Faolán", a given name meaning "wolf".

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