Your Irish Surname Explained
Murphyó Murchadhasea-battler
Kelly ó Ceallaighbright-headed
O'Sullivan ó Súilleabháin dark-eyed
Walsh Breathnach Welshman
Smith Mac Gabhann son of the smith
O'Brien ó Briain high, noble
Byrne ó Broin a raven
Ryan ó Maoilriain king
O'Connor ó Conchobhair patron of warriors
O'Neill ó Néill from Niall of the Nine Hostages
O'Reilly ó Raghallaigh
Doyle ó Dubhghaill dark foreigner
McCarthy Mac Carthaigh loving person
Gallagher ó Gallchobhair lover of foreigners
O'Doherty ó Dochartaigh hurtful
Kennedy ó Cinnéide helmet headed
Lynch ó Loinsigh seafarer, exile
Murray ó Muireadhaigh lord, master
Quinn ó Cuinn wisdom, chief
Moore ó Mordha majestic
McLoughlin Mac Lochlainn viking
O'Carroll ó Cearbhaill valorous in battle
Connolly ó Conghaile fierce as a hound
Daly ó Dálaighassembles frequently
O'Connell ó Conaill strong as a wolf
Wilson Mac Liam son of William
Dunne ó Duinn brown
Brennan ó Braonáin sorrow
Burke de Búrca from Richard de Burgh
Collins ó Coileáin young warrior
Campbell crooked mouth
Clarke óCléirigh clergyman
Johnston Mac Seáin son of John
Hughes ó hAodha fire
O'Farrell ó Fearghail man of valour
Fitzgerald Mac Gearailt spear rule
Brown Mac an Bhreithiún son of the brehon (judge)
Martin Mac Giolla Mháirtín devotee of Saint Martin
Maguire Mag Uidhir dun-coloured
Nolan ó Nualláin famous
Flynn ó Floinn bright red
Thompson Mac Tomáis son of Thom
O'Callaghan ó Ceallacháin bright headed
O'Donnell ó Domhnaill world-mighty
Duffy ó Dufaigh dark, black
O'Mahony ó Mathúna bear-calf
Boyle ó Baoill vain pledge
Healy ó hÉalaighthe artistic, scientific
O'Shea ó Séaghdha fine, stately
White Mac Giolla Bháin of fair complexion
Sweeney Mac Suibhne pleasant
Hayes ó hAodha fire
Kavanagh Caomhánach comely, mild
Power de Paor the poor man
McGrath Mac Craith son of grace
Moran ó Móráin great
Brady Mac Brádaigh spirited
Stewart Stiobhard one who superintends
Casey ó Cathasaigh vigilant in war, watchful
Foley ó Foghladh a plunderer
Fitzpatrick Mac Giolla Phádraig devotee of Saint Patrick
O'Leary ó Laoghaire calf-herd
McDonnell Mac Domhnaill world-mighty
MacMahon Mac Mathúna bear-calf
Donnelly ó Donnghaile brown valour
Regan ó Riagáin little king
Donovan ó Donnabháin brown, black
Burns from Scottish Burness
Flanagan ó Flannagáin red, ruddy
Mullan ó Maoláin bald
Barry de Barra Cambro-Norman name
Kane ó Catháin battler
Robinson son of Robert
Cunningham Scottish name
Griffin ó Gríofa Welsh: Gruffudd
Kenny ó Cionaoith fire sprung
Sheehan O'Siodhachain peaceful
Ward Mac an Bhaird son of the bard
Whelan ó Faoláin wolf
Lyons ó Laighin grey
Reid red haired, ruddy complexion
Graham grey home
Higgins ó hUiginn
Cullen ó Cuilinn holly
Keane Mac Catháin
King ó Cionga
Maher Meagher fine, majestic
MacKenna Mac Cionaoith fire-sprung
Bell Mac Giolla Mhaoil
Scott a Scottish gael
Hogan ó hÓgáin young
O'Keeffe ó Caoimh gentle
Magee Mag Aoidh fire
MacNamara Mac Conmara hound of the sea
MacDonald Mac Dónaill world-mighty
MacDermott Mac Diarmada free from jealousy
Molony ó Maolomhnaigh servant of the Church
O'Rourke ó Ruairc
Buckley ó Buachalla cow herd
O'Dwyer ó Dubhuir black
