150 Popular Irish Surnames Or Last Names With Meanings

If you wish to know about Irish last names with meanings, you need to travel back to historical times. The original names in Ireland are long and interesting. For example, have you heard about Muckanaghederdauhaulia? Well, it is the name of an Irish town. Isn’t it fascinating? Family names in Ireland are equally fascinating. However, most traditional names now have an anglicized version that is shortened and more commonly used.

Read the post to know about some unique Irish surnames, their meanings, and the history behind them.

List Of Common Irish Surnames Or Family Names

1. Ahearn

Ahearn is the anglicized form of ‘Ó hEachthighearna’ meaning ‘descendant of Eichthighearn.’ The name Eichthighearn is derived from a Gaelic word and refers to ‘Horse Lord.’

2. Angus

This Irish surname is derived from the word ‘Aonghus’ and means ‘one strength.’

3. Barry

Barry is an Anglicised form of ‘Ó Beargha’ or ‘Ó Báire’ referring to ‘descendant of Beargh’ or ‘descendant of Baire’ respectively. Beargha refers to ‘spear-like’ and Baire means ‘fair-haired.’

4. Beirne

It is the anglicized form of ‘O’Byrne’ meaning ‘descendant of Bran.’ In the Irish language, Bran refers to ‘a raven.’

5. Bell

Bell is one of the most common Irish last names, derived from the Old English word ‘Belle.’

6. Berne

This surname is a variant of ‘Beirne’ or ‘O’Byrne’ referring to a ‘descendant of Bran.’ It means ‘a raven’ in Irish.

7. Boyle

Boyle is an anglicized form of ‘O’Boyle’ derived from the Gaelic term ‘O’Baoighill’ referring to the ‘descendant of Baoigheall.’ The word Baoigheall comes from the Irish word ‘geall’ that means ‘pledge’ or ‘promise.’

8. Braden

It is an anglicized form of Irish ‘Ó Bradain’ meaning ‘descendant of Bradan.’ This word refers to a ‘salmon’ in Irish.

9. Brady

Brady is an anglicized form of ‘Ó Brádaigh’ referring to the ‘descendant of Bradach.’ This name is derived from a Gaelic term which means ‘large-chested.’

10. Brannon

Brannon is a patronymic Irish surname referring to ‘Son of Bran.’ The word Bran means ‘raven’ in Irish.

11. Brennan

Here, Braonan refers to ‘raindrop’ or ‘moisture.’

12. Brogan

Brogan is an occupational Irish surname referring to a ‘shoe-maker.’

13. Brown

It denotes the brown complexion of the skin or brown hair color.

14. Buckley

Buckley is derived from ‘Ó Buachalla’ that refers to ‘descendant of Buachaill.’ This is a nickname, which evolved as an Irish surname and means ‘cowherd’ or ‘servant.’

15. Burke

It is derived from an Old English word ‘Burgh.’ The Irish family name refers to a ‘fortress’ or ‘castle.’

16. Burns

Burns is a spelling variant of ‘O’Byrne’ or ‘Ó Broin.’ This Irish surname refers to a ‘descendant of Bran’ where Bran refers to a ‘raven.’

17. Butler

It is derived from the word ‘butiller.’ Butler is an occupational Irish surname referring to ‘wine-steward.’

18. Callaghan

It is an anglicized form of ‘Ó Ceallacháin’ referring to the ‘descendant of Ceallachan.’ The name ‘Ceallachan’ is derived from an old Irish term ‘Ceallach,’ which means ‘bright-headed.’

19. Campbell

This surname likely originated in Scotland and later migrated to Ireland. It is derived from Scottish Gaelic words referring to ‘crooked mouth’ or ‘wry-mouthed.’

20. Caomhánach

Caomhánach is an Irish surname that refers to the ‘students or disciples of Saint Caomhan.’

21. Carey

Carey is an anglicized form of ‘Ó Ciardha’ meaning the ‘descendant of Ciardha.’ Here, ‘Ciardha’ comes from the Old Irish word ‘ciar,’ which means ‘black’ or ‘dark.’

22. Carmody

Carmody is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Cearmada’ that refers to the ‘descendant of Cearmaid.’ The word ‘Cearmaid’ comes from Old Irish and is probably a combination of ‘ciar’ (black) and ‘madra’ (dog), thus meaning a ‘black dog.’

23. Carran

A spelling variant of Curran, this Irish surname is an anglicized form of ‘Ó Corraidhin’ referring to ‘descendant of Corraidhin.’ The word Corraidhin is derived from ‘Corradh’ which means ‘little spear.’

24. Carroll

This Irish surname is an anglicized form of ‘Cearbhal’ that means ‘hacking with a weapon.’

25. Cary

Cary means darks

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Cary is a spelling variant of ‘Carey’ and refers to the ‘descendant of Ciardha.’ ‘Ciardha’ means ‘black’ or ‘dark.’

26. Casey

Casey is the anglicized form of ‘ÓCathasaigh’ referring to the ‘descendant of Cathasach.’, Cathasach is an Old Irish word for ‘vigilant.’

27. Cassidy

It is derived from the anglicized form of ‘Ó Caiside,’ referring to ‘descendant of Caiside.’ This Irish surname means ‘curly-haired.’

28. Cavan

Cavan is an anglicized form of ‘Ó Caoimhain,’ meaning the ‘descendant of Caomhan.’ ‘Caomhan’ was the name of an Irish saint who lived in the 6th century.

29. Cavey

Cavey is an anglicized form of ‘Mac Daibheid’ referring to the ‘son of Daibhi’ or ‘son of David.’ David means ‘beloved’ in Hebrew.

30. Clarke

This surname is an anglicized form of‘ÓCléirigh’, which means a ‘clergy’ or ‘priest.’

31. Clery

Clery is a spelling variant of ‘Cleary,’ which is a spelling variant of ‘Clarke.’ It means a ‘clergy’ or ‘priest.’

32. Coghlan

It is an anglicized form of ‘Ó Cochláin.’ Cochlán is derived from the Irish term ‘cochall’ referring to a ‘cape’ or ‘hood.’

33. Coleman

Coleman is a spelling variant of ‘Colman’ or ‘Colm,’ which are derived from the names of several Irish Saints.

34. Collins

It is an anglicized form of ‘Ó Coileáin’ referring to the ‘descendant of Coilean.’ This name is derived from a Gaelic word ‘Cailean’ which means ‘whelp’ or a ‘young dog.’

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35. Connolly

It is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Conghalaigh’ that refers to ‘descendant of Conghalach.’ Conghalach was a nickname for ‘someone as valiant as a wolf’ and later evolved as a last name in Ireland.

36. Connor

It is derived from‘Ó Conchobhair’ referring to the ‘descendant of Conchobhar.’ The word ‘Conchobhar’ comes from Old Irish and means a ‘wolf’ or a ‘hound dog.’

37. Cooney

This Irish name is derived ‘Ó Cuana,’ which refers to the ‘descendant of Cuana.’ Cuana is an Old Irish word that could refer to ‘handsome’ or ‘elegant.’

38. Corcoran

It is an anglicized form of ‘Ó Corcráin’ meaning the ‘descendant of Corcran.’ Corcran is derived from the Gaelic word ‘corcair’ or ‘corcra,’ which means ‘purple.’

39. Coughlan

This Irish surname is derived from the anglicized version of ‘Ó Cochláin’ that means the ‘descendant of Cochlan.’ It is derived from the Gaelic word ‘cochall’ which means ‘cape’ or ‘hood.’

40. Cullen

The anglicized form of ‘Ó Cuilinn’ refers to the ‘descendant of Cuileann.’ Cuileann translates to ‘holly’ which is a type of a plant.

41. Cunningham

It is an anglicized form of the name ‘Ó Cuinneagáin’ that means the ‘descendant of Cuinneagán.’ The word ‘Cuinneagán’ likely originates from the Old Irish word ‘conn’ meaning a ‘chief’ or ‘leader.’

42. Curran

Curran is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Corraidhín’ that refers to a ‘descendant of Corraidhin.’ Corraidhín means a ‘little spear.’

43. Daly

It is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Dálaigh’ referring to ‘descendant of Dalach.’ The name ‘Dalach’ is derived from ‘Dal’ meaning ‘assembly.’

44. Daugherty

This last name is derived from the anglicized form of ‘Ó Dochartaigh’ meaning the ‘descendant of Dochartach.’ ‘Dochartach’ means ‘obstructive’ or ‘dangerous.’

45. Davin

Davin is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Damháin’ referring to the ‘descendant of Damhan’ which means ‘fawn’ or ‘stag’ or an ‘ox’ in Gaelic.

46. Deasun

Deasun is derived from ‘Deasmhumhain’ referring to ‘South Munster’ – a region in Ireland.

47. Desmond

It is another variant of ‘Deasun’ or ‘Deasmhumhain’ and is a topographical last name.

48. Delaney

It is an anglicized form of ‘Ó Dubhshláine’ that means the ‘descendant of Dubhshlaine.’ It is a combination of two Old Irish words ‘dubh’ meaning ‘black’ and ‘slan’ meaning ‘defiance.’

49. Dempsey

Dempsey is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Díomasaigh’ referring to the ‘descendant of Diomasach.’ ‘Diomasach’ means ‘proud.’

50. Devlin

The anglicized form of ‘Ó Doibhilin’ means a ‘descendant of Doibhilin.’ It is derived from a Gaelic term which means ‘unlucky.’

51. Doherty

A spelling variant of ‘Daugherty,’ this Irish surname is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Dochartaigh’ meaning the ‘descendant of Dochartach.’ Dochartach refers to ‘obstructive’ or ‘dangerous.’

52. Dolan

Dolan is derived from the anglicized form of ‘Ó Dubhshláin’ that means the ‘descendant of Dubhshlaine.’ This name combines two Old Irish words ‘dubh’ meaning ‘black and ‘slan’ meaning defiance.

53. Donaghue

It is an anglicized form of ‘Ó Donnchadha’ referring to the ‘descendant of Donnchadh.’ The name ‘Donnchadh’ is derived from a Gaelic term that means ‘brown battle.’

54. Donne

This last name likely originated in Scotland and is derived from the Gaelic word ‘Dunn’ or ‘Donn’ meaning ‘brown.’

55. Donnell

Donnel is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Domhnaill.’ It means a ‘descendant of Domhnall,’ and ‘Domhnall’ refers to ‘ruler of the world’ in Gaelic.

56. Donnelly

This Irish surname is the anglicized form of Ó Donnghaile that refers to a ‘descendant of Donnghal.’ Donnghal meaning ‘brown valor.’

57. Donovan

Donovan is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Donndubháin’ meaning ‘descendant of Donndubhan.’ The word ‘Donndubhan’ means ‘dark brown’ or ‘noble.’

58. Doran

This Irish surname is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Deoráin’ meaning a ‘descendant of Deoradhan.’ Deoradhan refers to ‘exile’ or ‘wanderer.’

59. Doyle

Doyle is an anglicized form of ‘Ó Dubhghaill’ referring to a ‘descendant of Dubhghall’.‘Dubhgall.’ It refers to ‘dark stranger.’

60. Driscoll

This Irish last name is the anglicized form of ‘Ó hEidirsceóil’ that refers to the ‘descendant of the messenger.’

61. Duane

Duane is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Dubháin’ referring to the ‘descendant of Dubhan.’ ‘Dubhan’ is derived from ‘dubh’ that means ‘dark’ or ‘black.’

62. Duffy

It is derived from ‘Ó Dubhthaigh’ meaning the ’descendant of Dubhthach.’ This name comes from the Irish word ‘dubh,’ which refers to ‘dark’ or ‘black.’

63. Dunn

It is either derived from ‘dunn’ the Old English word for ‘dark’ or from ‘donn’ the Gaelic word for ‘brown.’

64. Durnin

It comes from ‘Ó Doirnáin’ meaning ‘descendant of Doirnin.’ This name means ‘little fist.’

65. Ennis

Ennis refers to an island

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Ennis is derived from the Gaelic word ‘Inis’ which refers to an ‘island.’

66. Fannon

The name Fannon refers to ‘Ó Fionnáin’ which means a ‘descendant of Fionn.’ ‘Fionn’ refers to ‘fair’ or ‘white’ in Old Irish.

67. Farrell

It is an anglicized form of ‘Ó Fearghail’ referring to the ‘descendant of Fearghal.’ ‘Fearghal’ means ‘man of valor.’

68. Ferguson

This patronymic Irish surname refers to the ‘son of Fearghas.’ Fearghas translates to ‘man of vigor.’

69. Finn

It is derived from the Old Irish word ‘Finn’ meaning ‘fair’ or ‘white.’

70. Finnegan

Finnegan is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Fionnagáin’ referring to the ‘descendant of Fionnagán.’ ‘Fionnagan’ is a variant of ‘Fionn,’ which comes from ‘Finn’ the Old Irish word for ‘fair’ or ‘white.’

71. Fitzgerald

It is a patronymic Irish surname meaning ‘son of Gerald.’ The name ‘Gerald’ refers to ‘rule of the spear.’

72. Fitzpatrick

Fitzpatrick is a patronymic Irish last name referring to the ‘son of Patrick’. ‘Patrick’ is derived from the Latin name ‘Patricius’ that means ‘nobleman.’

73. Fitzsimmons

It refers to the ‘son of Simon.’ ‘Simon’ means ‘he has heard’ in Hebrew.’

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74. Flanagan

It is an anglicized form of ‘Ó Flannagáin’ that refers to the ‘descendant of Flannagán.’ The name ‘Flannagan’ means ‘reddish’ or ‘scarlet.’

75. Flynn

This name is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Floinn’ referring to a ‘descendant of Flann.’ The name ‘Flann’ refers to ‘reddish’ or ‘scarlet’ in Gaelic.

76. Foley

Foley is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Foghladha’ that means the ‘descendant of Foghlaidh.’ ‘Foghlaidh’ refers to a ‘pirate’ or ‘plunderer.’

77. Friel

Friel is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Frighil’ meaning ‘descendant of Fearghal.’ ‘Feraghal’ refers to a ‘man of valor.’

78. Fylan

It is an anglicized form of ‘Ó Faoláin’ referring to the ‘descendant of Faolan.’ The name ‘Faolan’ is derived from the Gaelic word ‘Fael’ and means ‘little wolf.’

79. Gallagher

Gallagher is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Gallchobhair’ meaning a ‘descendant of Gallchobhar.’ ‘Gallchobhar’ is a combination of two Irish words ‘gall’ meaning ‘stranger’ and ‘cabhair’ meaning ‘help.’

80. Gorman

It is an anglicized version of ‘Ó Gormáin’ referring to a ‘descendant of Gorman.’ ‘Gorman’ means ‘little blue one.’

81. Griffin

It is an anglicized version of the Irish name ‘Ó Gríobhtha’ meaning the ‘descendant of Gríobhtha.’ The name ‘Griobhtha’ comes from ‘Griobh,’ which is the Irish name for Griffin – a mythical creature with the body of a lion but head and wings of an eagle.

82. Guinness

It is derived from the surname ‘McGuinness.’ McGuinness is the anglicized form of ‘Mag Aonghuis’ meaning ‘son of Aonghus.’ Aonghus means ‘one strength.’

83. Hayes

Hayes means fire

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Hayes is the anglicized form of ‘Ó hAodha’ referring to the ‘descendant of Aodh.’ The name Aodh comes from the Old Irish word ‘Aed,’ which means ‘fire.’

84. Healy

It is the anglicized form of ‘O’Healy’ referring to a ‘descendant of the claimant.’

85. Higgins

Higgins is the anglicized form of ‘Ó hUiginn’ that means ‘descendant of Uiginn.’ Uiginn means a ‘viking.’

86. Hogan

This Irish surname is an anglicized form of ‘Ó hÓgáin’ meaning a ‘descendant of Ogan.’ The name ‘Ogan’ is derived from the Irish word ‘Og’ which means ‘young.’

87. Hughes

It is an anglicized form of ‘Mac Aodha’ referring to ‘son of Aodh.’ The name ‘Aodh’ is derived from ‘Aed,’ an Old Irish word for ‘fire.’

88. Ivers

Ivers is a patronymic surname derived from the Old Norse name ‘Ivarr’ referring to a ‘warrior.’

89. Kane

Kane is the anglicized form of ‘O’Kane’ or ‘O Cathain’ referring to a ‘battle.’

90. Kavanagh

It is derived from the Gaelic name ‘Caomhánach’ referring to ‘students or disciples of Saint Caomhan,’ who was a 6th-century Irish saint.

91. Kearney

Kearney is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Ceithearnaigh’ that refers to a ‘descendant of Ceithearnach.’ ‘Ceithearnach’ is the Middle Irish word for ‘warrior’ or ‘leader of a warrior group.’

92. Kelly

Kelly is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Ceallaig’ that means the ‘descendant of Ceallach.’ The word ‘Ceallach’ refers to ‘bright-headed.’

93. Kennedy

It is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Cinnéidigh’ which means ‘descendant of Cennetig.’ ‘Cennetig’ is an Old Irish word referring to an ‘armored head’ or ‘misshapen head.’

94. Kilduff

Kilduff is the anglicized form of ‘Mac GiollaDhuibh’ referring to the ‘son of the black-haired man.’

95. Lennon

It is an anglicized form of ‘Ó Leannáin’ meaning a ‘descendant of Leannan.’ Leannan means ‘lover.’

96. Lynch

This Irish surname is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Loingsigh’ that means ‘descendant of Loingseach.’ It is an occupational surname referring to a ‘mariner.’

97. Mac Alastair

It is derived from the Gaelic word ‘McAlister’ referring to a ‘son of Alistair. The name Alistair is derived from ‘Alexander,’ which means ‘defending men.’

98. Mac Amhalghaidh

It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name ‘Mac Amhalghaidh’ referring to ‘son of Amhalghadh.’ ‘Amhalghadh’ is an Old Gaelic word of unknown origin.

99. Mac an Aba

It is the Gaelic form of the name ‘McNab,’ which means ‘son of the abbot.’ Abbot is a person who is the head of a monastery.

100. Mac an Bhaird

This name means ‘son of the bard.’

101. Mac an Ghoill

This Irish last name means ‘son of the foreigner’ or ‘son of the stranger.’ The word ‘Ghoill’ is derived from ‘Gill’ that means a ‘foreigner’ or ‘stranger.’

102. Mac an tSagairt

This Irish surname means ‘son of the priest.’

103. MacAodha

This is a patronymic Irish surname referring to the ‘son of Aodha.’ ‘Aodha’ is derived from ‘Aed’ – the Old Irish word for ‘fire.’

104. MacAodhagain

It refers to ‘descendant of Aodhagan.’ The word ‘Aodhagan’ is a diminutive version of ‘Aodha’ or ‘Aed.’

105. MacBranain

It means ‘son of Bran’ where ‘Bran’ is the Irish word for ‘raven.’

106. MacBride

It is an anglicized form of ‘Mac GiollaBhrighde’ referring to the ‘son of the servant of Brighid.’ The name ‘Brighid’ is derived from Bridget, meaning the ‘exalted one.’

107. MacCaba

This Irish surname refers to ‘son of Caba’ where ‘Caba’ means ‘cape.’

108. MacCailin

It means ‘son of Cailean’ and ‘Cailean’ refers to a ‘whelp’ or ‘young dog.’

109. MacCarrick

This Irish surname refers to the ‘son of Cucharraige.’ The word Cucharraige is the combination of ‘cu’ meaning a ‘hound’ and ‘carraig’ meaning a ‘rock.’

110. MacCarthy

MacCarthy refers to a ‘son of Carthach’ and Carthach means ‘loving.’

111. MacCleirich

It is a patronymic Irish surname referring to ‘son of a clerk.’

112. MacClellan

MacClellan refers to MacClellan

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This Irish surname is a variant of ‘McClelland,’ which is the anglicized form of ‘Mac GiollaFhaolain’ referring to the ‘son of the servant of Faolan.’ Faolan is derived from the Gaelic word ‘fael’ that means ‘little wolf.’

113. MacDhuibhinse

It refers to ‘son of Dhuibhinse’ where ‘Dhuibhinse’ means ‘black island.’

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114. Murdock

It is derived from ‘Murchadh’ that means ‘sea warrior.’

115. Murphy

It is an anglicized version of ‘Ó Murchadha’ referring to ‘descendant of Murchadh.’ Murchadh means ‘sea warrior.’

116. Murray

An anglicized form of ‘Ó Muireadhaigh’ means ‘descendant of Muireadhach.’ Muireadhach is a variant of ‘Muiredach’ referring to ‘lord’ in Irish.

117. Neil

It is derived from the Gaelic word ‘Niall’ that is considered to have multiple meanings, namely ‘champion,’ ‘cloud’ or ‘passionate.’

118. Nolan

It is an anglicized version of ‘Ó Nuallain’ referring to ‘descendant of Nuallan.’ Nuallan means ‘noble’ or ‘famous.’

119. O’Brien

It originates from ‘Ó Briain,’ which means ‘descendant of Brian.’ Brian means ‘high’ or ‘noble.’

120. O’Callaghan

It is derived from ‘Ó Ceallachain’ that means ‘descendant of Ceallachan.’ The word ‘Ceallachan’ refers to ‘bright-headed.’

121. Ó Caoimhain

It means ‘descendant of Caoimhain.’ Caoimhain is derived from ‘Caomhan’ who was an Irish saint from the 6th century.

122. O’Connell

It means ‘descendant of Conall.’ Conall is a Gaelic word for ‘strong wolf.’

123. O’Connor

It is a variant of ‘Ó Conchobhair.’

124. O’Deorain

This Irish surname refers to ‘descendant of Deoradhan.’ Deoradhan means ‘exile’ or ‘wanderer.’

125. O’Donnell

It is the anglicized variant of ‘Ó Domhnaill’ which means ‘descendant of Domhnall.’ Domhnall is the Gaelic version of the phrase ‘ruler of the world.’

126. Ó Dubhthaigh

The name refers to a ‘descendant of Dubhthach.’ Dubhthach is the Old Irish term for the ‘black one’ or ‘someone who is black or dark-skinned.’

127. O Faolain

It refers to a ‘descendant of Faolan.’ Faolan is derived from the Gaelic word ‘fael’ which means ‘little wolf.’

128. O hicidhe

This Irish surname means ‘descendant of the healer.’

129. O Leary

It is an anglicized form of ‘Ó Laoghaire’ referring to a ‘descendant of Laoghaire’ or ‘descendant of Loegaire.’ ‘Laoghaire’ or ‘Loegaire’ means a ‘calf-herder.’

130. O Madaidhin

It means ‘descendant of Madaihin.’ The word ‘Madaihin’ originates from ‘madadh’ meaning a ‘dog’ or ‘mastiff’ – a breed of dogs.

131. O’Neill

This surname refers to ‘descendant of Neil.’ The name Neil comes from ‘Niall,’ a Gaelic word with several meanings, namely ‘cloud,’ ‘champion,’ or ‘passionate.’

132. O’Reilly

It is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Raghailligh’ which means ‘descendant of Raghailligh.’ ‘Raghailligh’ is an Old Irish word of unknown meaning.

133. Orman

Orman is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Ruaidh’ referring to ‘descendant of Ruadh.’ Ruadh is derived from the Gaelic word that means ‘red.’

134. O’Shea

It is the anglicized version of ‘Ó Séaghdha’ meaning a ‘descendant of Seaghdha.’ The name means ‘esteemed’ or the ‘majestic one’ in Gaelic.

135. O’Sioda

This name refers to ‘descendant of Sioda’ where ‘Sioda’ means ‘silk.’

136. Power

This is a locational surname derived from the Old French word ‘Poier’ that likely referred to people who originated from the town called Poix in the Picardy region of France.

137. Quinn

It is an anglicized version of ‘Ó Cuinn’ that means ‘descendant of Conn.’ Conn refers to a ‘chief’ in Gaelic.

138. Regan

Regan is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Ríagáin’ meaning ‘descendant of Riagan.’ The name ‘Riagan’ is derived from ‘Ríodhgach,’ which means ‘impulsive.’

139. Rinne

Rinne means star

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It is an anglicized form of ‘O Rinn’ referring to ‘descendant of Rinn’ where ‘Rinn’ means a ‘star’ in Irish.

140. Ryan

This Irish surname is an anglicized version of ‘Ó Riain’ meaning ‘descendant of Rian.’ Rian refers to ‘little king.’

141. Scully

Scully is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Scolaidhe’ referring to a ‘descendant of a scholar.’

142. Sheehy

It is an anglicized version of ‘Sítheach’ that means ‘peaceful’ or ‘mysterious’ in Gaelic.

143. Sloan

Sloan is the anglicized form of ‘Sluaghadhan,’ which is an Old Irish word for ‘raid.’

144. Sullivan

It is an anglicized form of ‘Ó Súileabháin,’ meaning ‘descendant of Suileabhan.’ The name ‘Suileabhan’ refers to the phrase ‘little dark eye.’

145. Tighe

It is an anglicized form of ‘O Taidhg,’ and the name means ‘poet.’

146. Toole

This Irish surname is the anglicized form of ‘Ó Tuathail’ meaning a ‘descendant of Tuathal.’ Tuathal refers to ‘ruler of the people.’

147. Vincent

It is an anglicized form of ‘Mac Dhuibhinse’ referring to ‘son of Dhuibhinse.’ The word ‘Dhuibhinse’ refers to a ‘black island.’

148. Walsh

This name is derived from the Old English word ‘Waelisc’ that refers to ‘foreigner’ or ‘stranger.’

149. Ward

Ward is the anglicized form of ‘Mac an Bhaird’ that means ‘son of the bard.’

150. Whelan

It is an anglicized form of ‘Ó Faoláin’ referring to ‘descendant of Faolan.’ The name Faolan is derived from ‘fael’ which refers to ‘little wolf.’

Discover More Names

When you have to choose a name for your baby, a few hundreds of names may not be just enough. Keep digging our mine of baby names until you find that one precious gem.

Most Irish surnames are derived from their ancestors’ names; however, a few are patronymic or topographic. Many of the surnames in use today are anglicized versions of traditional names that have been shortened. Some of the famous Irish surnames have evolved and spread throughout Europe and the rest of the world. Knowing these surnames can also give you a deeper insight into Irish people and their ancestors.

Key Pointers

  • Irish last names hold cultural and historical importance, showcasing ties to ancestry and regions.
  • Some surnames such as Fitzpatrick and Brannon signify ‘a son of,’ with Fitzpatrick meaning ‘son of Patrick’ and Brannon meaning ‘son of Bran.’
  • Other names like Angus and Guinness connote strength and power, while Fannon and Finn indicate fairness, reflecting Irish traits.
  • Lastly, Kennedy, Kelly, or Sullivan are clan-based surnames, indicating lineage from distinct Gaelic clans.

Article written by Baby Plumbing

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