489+ Irish Last Names: Origins and Significance

Irish last names hold a special place in the country’s history and culture. They often start with prefixes like “O'” or “Mac,” signifying heritage and family connections.

These names reveal the diverse influences in Ireland, such as Gaelic, Norman, and English origins. Each surname carries a unique story, often tied to specific regions and clans, showcasing the country’s rich local traditions.

These names are more than just words; they represent a deep connection to Irish roots, passed down through generations.

Today, Irish last names are a source of pride, not only in Ireland but also among Irish communities worldwide, highlighting the enduring legacy and unity of the Irish people.

Irish Last Names

Last Name	Meaning/Origin
O’Brien	Descendant of Brian, which means “noble”
Murphy	Descendant of Murchadh, meaning “sea warrior”
Kelly	Derived from the Irish word “ceallach,” meaning “bright-headed”
Sullivan	Descendant of Suileabhan, meaning “dark-eyed”
O’Connor	Descendant of Conchobhar, which means “lover of hounds”
Ryan	Derived from the Irish word “rí,” meaning “king”
Walsh	Derived from the Irish word “breathnach,” meaning “Welshman”
Byrne	Derived from the Irish word “broin,” meaning “raven”
McCarthy	Descendant of Cárthach, meaning “loving”
Fitzgerald	Descendant of Gerald, meaning “spear ruler”
O’Neill	Descendant of Niall, meaning “champion”
Kennedy	Derived from the Irish word “cinnéidigh,” meaning “helmeted head”
O’Donnell	Descendant of Domhnall, which means “world ruler”
Doyle	Derived from the Irish word “dubhghaill,” meaning “dark stranger”
Connelly	Derived from the Irish word “Conaill,” meaning “strong as a wolf”
Quinn	Derived from the Irish word “cuinn,” meaning “wisdom”
Flanagan	Derived from the Irish word “flann,” meaning “red”
Higgins	Derived from the Irish word “Uí Uiginn,” referring to a seafaring people
Molloy	Derived from the Irish word “Maolmhuire,” meaning “servant of Mary”
Reilly	Derived from the Irish word “Raghallaigh,” meaning “courageous”
Barrett	Derived from the Irish word “Bairéid,” meaning “contention”

Common Irish Last Names

Preferred

Bone hammer

Window

Fitz

Rotom

Kondila

Grountiyala

Strawberry

Hop Pop

Pinkle

Snaddei

Luke

Teagan

Tiple

Absikal

Lereftreween

Furgatal

Lilliputian

Htrillions

Skodafi

James

Olive

Conor

Zivle

Vadru

Egru

Zahza

Verlin

Gael

Bunkatsu Tōchi

Sanda Kazuma

Yofune-Nushi

Ruhze

Prefre

Kagiyama Kunie

Pauric

Kashak

Peaches

Seoras

Peaches

Franklin

Windless

Hina

Namba Rei

Fernfoot Snul

Girpi

Hags

Bhrezdaim

Ikkem

Apa

Meblo

Snur

Amszas

Far blood

Zivli

Tredoka

Bodie

Muhzi

Matsuyama Masa

Vanita

Kishi Takehide

Htrillions

Goliath

Atla

Gegs

Snox

Aibhne

Royal

Saoirse

Flaencrus

Emily

Callan

Uvanki

Mountain delver Throttom

Dimmail

Gott

Boll

Mella

Zik

Liam

Dor

Seo Yoshio

Nujika

Cohn

Absinthe

Lonety

Cillian

Arauth

Xeretra

Jijari

Related: Unisex Hispanic Names

Top Irish Last Names

Some of the top Irish last names are deeply rooted in the country’s history and culture. Names like Murphy, O’Sullivan, Kelly, and Walsh are common and widespread, reflecting the influence of various Irish clans and historical migrations.

These surnames carry a rich heritage and are still prevalent in modern Ireland and among the Irish diaspora worldwide.

A Guide to Popular Irish Last Names

“A Guide to Popular Irish Last Names provides a fascinating glimpse into Ireland’s rich heritage. This concise resource explores the origins, meanings, and historical significance of 50 iconic Irish surnames, shedding light on the country’s cultural tapestry. Discover the stories behind names like O’Sullivan, Kelly, and Murphy, and deepen your appreciation for Irish ancestry.”

Most Common Irish Last Names

The most common Irish last names often reflect the country’s rich heritage and history. Names like Murphy, O’Sullivan, Kelly, and Smith are widespread, tracing their origins to ancient Irish clans and anglicized versions of Gaelic surnames. These names are emblematic of Ireland’s cultural diversity and the enduring influence of its historical roots.

Popular Irish Last Names

Popular Irish last names often reflect the country’s rich heritage and history. Some common surnames include O’Brien, Murphy, Kelly, and Sullivan, which have deep roots in Irish culture. These names are often associated with clans and regions, contributing to Ireland’s diverse and fascinating genealogical tapestry.

Traditional Irish Last Names

Murphy	O’Brien
Kelly	Walsh
O’Sullivan	Smith
Byrne	Ryan
O’Connor	Doyle
McCarthy	Gallagher
Doyle	O’Reilly
Davis	Johnston
Walsh	Murray
Wilson	Quinn
Dunne	Hughes
Martin	Collins
Maguire	O’Donnell
Nolan	Flynn
Thompson	Burke
Hayes	Cunningham
Sullivan	Hogan
Fitzgerald	Mahoney
McGrath	Brennan
Carroll	Connolly
Power	Dunne
McGrath	Fitzpatrick
Roche	Higgins
Flynn	Higgins
MacCarthy	McCormack
Connelly	Donnelly
Keane	Duffy
Mahony	Donoghue
Farrell	Griffin
Molloy	Boyle
O’Donnell	Devlin
Regan	Maguire
MacMahon	Flanagan
MacDermott	MacMahon
MacCarthy	MacCarthy
MacCarthy	O’Grady
MacMahon	O’Hara
MacCarthy	O’Keeffe
MacCarthy	O’Malley
O’Brien	O’Neill
O’Connor	O’Reilly
O’Sullivan	O’Toole
MacCarthy	MacCarthy
MacCarthy	O’Donnell
MacCarthy	O’Shea
MacCarthy	MacCarthy
MacCarthy	O’Connor
MacCarthy	O’Sullivan
MacCarthy	O’Neill
MacCarthy	O’Donnell

Good Irish Last Names

Good Irish last names often carry a rich history and cultural significance. Surnames like O’Sullivan, Kennedy, and Murphy are well-known for their strong Irish heritage. These names reflect the resilience and deep-rooted traditions of the Irish people, making them a source of pride for those who bear them.

Unique Irish Last Names

Most Irish last names are easy to pronounce because they are the same as their first name. But some Irish last names are not that easy to pronounce.

Don’t go for the easy one, get the unique one. Here’s the list of unique Irish last names:

Ardara: Meaning “fort on the hill”

Quinn – This name means chief

Cait, Caitlin, or Caitlyn: Meaning “pure”

Duffy – Duffy comes from a Celtic word that means dark or swarthy

O’Murphy – Anglicized version O’Murchadha

O’Kelly – Anglicized version of O’Ceallaigh

Breeda: Meaning “strong”

Áine: Meaning “radiance”. Pronounced “awn-ya” 

Elish: Meaning “God is my oath”

O’Neill – Grandson of Neil. Alternative spelling O’Niall 

Adam

Mozart

Hender

Maeda Kiku

River chaser

Finn

Declan

Atla

Garu

Continent

Jharee

Eponine

Molten hide

Michael

Rowan

Cutie

Overpowered

Ruairí

Gray tongue

Snotli

Tova

Geks

Rushuka

Isaac

Namba Takeji

Konton To Shita Fūrigan

Tetle

Striker

Tatt

Mihara Makoto

Deonliyion

Jechonrly

Goppe

Zak

Hag

Hill cutter

Window

Ronan

Dokuro Shijo

Jack

Kining

Darragh

Eamon

Mentra

Ea

Gojertre

Orpa

Tullok

Iglu

Oisín

Callum

Laoise

Sett

Reikokuna Buntai

Goto Hazuki

Grymre

Gadfusha

Monstle

Keen feather

Humiliation

Sadie

Uvon

Eks

Cormac

Saeran

Rafferty

Snudi

Flynn

Hold

Elmo

Snang

Yokoyama Yukichi

Ciaran

Nevan

Captain Bluebeard

Aqiqa

Nugget

Memon

Absikal

Gudru

Yelbrider

Uyehara Hoshi

Lavpasrld

Sato Nori

Finn

Drachenstein

Daniel

Ekke

Sydney

Common bringer

Ikle

Snudu

lrtos

Sheba

Orio Jiro

Lerofa

Slate

Bend Will

Marmot

Kido 

O’Neal 

Fun fact on O’Neal: In 1500s, O’Neal was also a name. But, Queen Elizabeth banned this name. Today, O’Neal is the most common Irish last names.

Related: Popular Unisex Middle Names

Best Irish Last Names 

There are several suggestions of Irish last names that will help you to choose the name for your baby. However, getting the best one is the task. So, here’s the list of the best Irish last names:

O’More – Scottish and Gaelic origins Alternative spellings Moore, Muir, and Mure

Cianna: Meaning “ancient”. Pronounced “kee-anna”

Coventina: Meaning “fading memory”

Bridget or Bridgit: Meaning “virtue”

Flynn – Flynn is a Gaelic name that means scarlet or red. It is a variant of Flanagan

Collins – Derived from a Gaelic word that means whelp or young dog

Eachna: Meaning “horse”. Pronounced “ahk-nah”

Brighid or Brigid: Meaning “virtue” or “strength”. Pronounced “breed”

Clodagh: Meaning “river”. Pronounced “klo-dah”

O’Reilly – Grandson of Reilly 

Girn

Kess

Sagin

Sone Yasujiro

Taklak

Geklu

Sophia

Patrick

Hedwig

Apricot

Suterusumyūtanto

Ayden

Kepu

Memon

Chikkum

Murakami Michi

Ilkefa

Miki Natsuo

Grass buckle

Oliver

Rory

Shirai Masashige

Stonebash

Sik

Soga Tomio

Olpo

Tizer

Dellyoi

Berengaria

Snox

Tukla

Poppylicious

Rage

Slim Movement

Broad gaze

Michael

Togle

Uozumi Koryusai

Meepo

Burnie

Umon Kosho

Titanica

Ruby

Fullbrow

Ferris

Babusha

Ueda Sadanobu

Vam

Sunray

Thomas

Adam

Ruhze

Duduh

Noah

Vulthuryol

Artu

Camelot

Phelim

Vanduk

Gigi

Riordan

Naito Miki

Luliva

Luke

Seamus

AUGUSTINE

Guvi

Moon stalker

Grace

Badcock

Hotcakes

Susoka

Eks

Padraic

Hirashima Itsuki

Kresti

Tango

Venkere

Eoghan

Snogre

Chudta

Malone

Daithí

Fallon

Yushufa

Zap

Centurion

Dipu

Brien

Noah

Khavila

Zoggo

Sean Connery

Xicolo

Tilge

Tominaga Toru

Connor

Derry

Garu

Bolo 

Oisin 

Fun fact on Oisin: This last name is taken from Irish mythology. Oisin is the son of the legendary warrior and he’s a poetic hero as per the Irish mythology.

Related: Popular Names For Old Women

Cool Irish Last Names

Irish last names can be tricky to choose. It can be hard to find cool Irish last names that you like.

We went through different types of last names, and we also went through different sources. Here’s a list of the cool Irish last names:

Deirbhile: Meaning “daughter of a poet” Pronounced “der-vill”

Doreen: Meaning “gift”

Èala: Meaning “swan”. Pronounced “ee-lah”

Eadoin: Meaning “jealousy”. Pronounced “ay-dun”

Eithne: Meaning “kernel” or “grain” Pronounced “eth-ne” or “een-ya”

Campbell – A Scottish surname that means crooked mouth or wry mouth

Cayleen: Meaning “fair”

Eilley: Meaning “beautiful bird”. Pronounced “ee-lee”

Regan – This name is derived from Riagan, which means impulsive

Dympna: Meaning “little fawn”. Pronounced “dimp-nah”

Aiden

Egru

Tigernach

Iidola

Sun

Gox

Bonaventure

Cian

Cliffchaser

Blaflarld

Azroo

Spark

Jobila

Snix

Uvika

Vin

Flame

Jack

Enigma

Briony

Tynan

Moeru Yōna Jigoku

Gypsy

Ilvessa

Rían

Noldi

Ivy

Ilkefa

Vibro

Lucy

Fionn

Pyre

Suibhne

Galax

Miura Subaru

Butterscotch

Pradeep

Tani Subaru

Snulle

Maeda Kohaku

Warmheart

Crazy People

Dari

Ett

Thraah

Braasz

Arix

Jamie

Vor

CLEMENTINE

Ilkefa

Daniel

Gek

Ikdo

Knemchur

Twitches

Thedivinëbeast

Krend

Hox

Rope

Kindu

Injela

Belladonna

Ryan

Brickfeet

Mukbe

Urak

Melbo

Tadhg

Baby

Ikle

Scuttle

Niall

Mollo

Siss

Charisma

Ava

Hashimoto Maki

Had

Fuzjal

Zaherat

Myth

Muntazir

Watanuki Morimasa

Airwhitop

Gracie

Jaakuna Furēmā

Carrot

Nolan

Vurki

Nes

Migi Ni Nejikoma Rete Inai

Knuckles

Isa Chiasa

Reggo

Horus

Duduh

Coppelia

Akushitsuna Bikutā

Sophie 

Cillian 

Fun fact on Cillian: This name was mostly included in war and as per the Irish mythology Cillian was the true warrior.

Related: Cool Names Ending With S

Perfect Irish Last Names 

If you are Irish and want to get an Irish last name, you can get it from the thousands of Irish last names available. If they are not perfect for you, you can alter them through our site and get one that is perfect for you.

The list of perfect Irish last names:

Cadhla: Meaning “beautiful”. Pronounced “kay-lah”

Alana or Alanna: Meaning “child”

Duffy: Meaning “black”

Casey – Casey is an Old Irish word that means vigilant

Eileen: Meaning “shining one”

O’Connor – Grandson of Connor

Deidra, Deirdra, or Deirdre: Meaning “sorrowful”

Briana or Brianna: Meaning “noble”

Delma: Meaning “famous”

Hogan – Hogan is a variant of a Gaelic word that means young 

Kieran

Starblaze

Chul

Her

Seán

Paddy

Akvom

Cohn

Titanica

Bob

Izzsel

Liam

Aredina

Ancestialian

Cillian

Politica

Boomerang

Ullavi

Fiadh

Chrebbai

Qawina

Tadgh

Harry

Queen

Glismoda

Undrefelt

Veesz

Uaine

Quill

Éabha

Albi

Chrysophylax

Yuuma Aki

Yaguchi Matsuta

Fionn

Krend

HumiliationHynde

Kindolotre

Brynn

Pickle

Oralev

Scales

Cian

Fernfoot Snul

Battle Mistress

Flathorn

Gum

Odhran

Snim

Raghnall

Had

Venkatesh

Ella

Guddu

Monday

Desmond

Torin

Mashimo Hikaru

Ten Antagonists

Fistmane

Amelia

Thomas

Molly

Sudij

Snudi

Ruhze

Luna

Koike Takeji

Sharpback

Sun

Charlie

Pradeep

Chudta

Benty

Finian

Urebrelyalian

Sihzi

Rían

Bolona

Waqarduiin

Mukbe

Varn

Callahan

Stout branch

Matsuo Ry

Otsuka Yukio

Bhresz

Jamie

Eoin

Dokbo

Tafuna Mama

Spike

Lily

Grandmaa

Han

Tyler

Conor

Lerona

Electra

Crandoloyakhala

Related: Cool Names For Uncle

Catchy Irish Last Names

Some of the Irish last names are the same as in many other countries while others are very catchy. Irish last names can have many different meanings and they can describe many different aspects. Yet, go for the catchy one.

The list of catchy Irish last names:

Bidelia: Meaning “exalted”

Bryna: Meaning “strong one”

Ceara or Ciara: Meaning “black” Pronounced “keera”, “kee-ara”, or “kye-arah”

Ena: Meaning “graceful”

Aven: Meaning “fair radiance”

Kelsea: Meaning “victorious ship”

Kerra: Meaning “dark”

Kevine: Meaning “handsome”

Kiandra: Meaning “ancient” or “magical water”

Kiara: Meaning “dark”

Jijari

Nid

Oisín

Toki

Kellan

Velbo

Owen

Snails

Frarmeonot

Barebone

Sonata

Chloe

Hannah

Demfrolation

Ohsoss

Barb maw

Draurk

Nole

Asa Takaaki

Tipa

Troi

Rush

Snoko

Finnegan

Yutrolo

Hindu

Urak

Ukko

Shane

Wanijima Takemi

Chur

Snad

Dākuhantā

Nir

Kurki

Tetle

Ruby

Heldo

Caelin

Oldy

Jebrin

Yellot

Harry

Lovlu

Croissant

Gaggujkala

Vodi

Hillion

Amalasuintha

Olivia

Wiki

Leonardo da Vinci

Kami No Tenshi

Xeenre

Brew chewer

Flare

Sunburst

Zuppu

Furontorainā

Debu

Nakata Shigeko

Zak

Kashak

Tazawa Ikemoto

Zuhse

Mia

Brayden

Diks

Hugh

Páidí

Charlie

Virago

Holde

Rose

Ella

Muhzi

Kauzzkog

Lorcan

Gulliver

Dogu

Alex

James

Relda

Kennedy

Jrazzertala

Grizzle

Skezzex

Basil

Darragh

Kurt

Noks

Nekbu

Dan

Cillian

Bhreeng

Hagnar

Kieve

Arnie

Cold stride

Orbitka

Related: Unisex Names That Start with K

Conclusion

Irish last names are a reflection of Ireland’s diverse history and heritage, spanning from ancient Gaelic roots to later influences. They hold significant cultural value, linking the present to a rich and storied past.

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