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The 10 most popular Irish last names

Click links after each family to see complete clan story and photos

By
ANTOINETTE KELLY,
IrishCentral.com, Staff Writer
Published Thursday, July 8, 2010, 7:01 AM
Updated Thursday, July 8, 2010, 11:56 AM

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Coats of arms representing Irish clans
Coats of arms representing Irish clans


Irish and Irish-Americans alike tend to be immensely proud of their surnames.

Many a Irish family proudly declare their Irish roots by displaying the crest of their clan in their homes.

But which last names win in the battle of Irishness?

IrishCentral took a look at the list of the most common surnames in Ireland in order to come up with a top 10 list.

Smith and Murray are two of the most common, but one is of British origins and the other’s Scottish, so they didn’t make the cut.

Here, then, are the 10 most Irish last names:

1. Murphy  - the sea battlers

Murphys – you win the prize for most common and widespread name in Ireland, especially in County Cork. 

This surname, which means “sea battler,” translates to Gaelic as MacMurchadh (son of Murchadh) and O'Murchadh (descendent of Murchadh), a derivation of the first name of Murchadh or Murragh.

O'Murchadh families lived in Wexford, Roscommon and Cork, in which county it is now most common, with the MacMurchadhs of the Sligo and Tyrone area responsible for most of the Murphys in Ulster.

The name was first anglicized to MacMurphy and then to Murphy in the early 19th century.

READ THE WHOLE STORY OF THE MURPHY CLAN! CLICK HERE

2. Kelly – the bright-headed ones

Kelly comes second to Murphy as the most common surname in Ireland.

The Kellys are all over Ireland; the name originates from at around 10 different and unrelated ancient clans or septs. These include O'Kelly septs from Meath, Derry, Antrim, Laois, Sligo, Wicklow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Galway and Roscommon.

O'Kelly comes from the Gaelic O Ceallaigh, meaning "descended from Ceallach," an Irish chieftan. “Ceallach” means war or contention. It is an ancient first name that is no longer used as a first name in Ireland. However, Kelly is a popular first name for women in the U.S.

READ THE WHOLE STORY OF THE KELLY CLAN! CLICK HERE

3. O'Sullivan – the hawkeyed ones

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23 Comments

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GeorgeDillon | May 24, 2012, 03:54 PM EDT
Petford: You should direct these queries to the poster ciaradexy. She's an expert.

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petford | Mar 18, 2012, 07:17 AM EDT
My husbands Great Grandfather was Michael Lenihan who was born Kerry, Ireland, approx. 1864. Michael's parents were Michael and Catherine (nee Kosane- Maybe spelt differently). They travelled to NZ on the ship Earl of Granville from Plymouth 1879. Can someone please tell me more about this Family. I am also wondering if there is O'neill in the family tree as Michael's secong name was O'neill. Thanks Bev

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petford | Mar 18, 2012, 07:03 AM EDT
My Grandfather was Henry Joseph Christian born in Dublin. Mother was Lucy (Nee Murray) Christian. Father John Albert Christian of 51 High Street. Present at the birth of Joseph at 1 Johns Lane on 2nd June 1886 was Mary J Murray. If anyone could shed some light on this family or relatives that may be still living in Ireland I would be greatful Thanks Bev

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OLarkin75 | Mar 17, 2011, 10:07 PM EDT
My Great Grandfather, Patrick Larkin immigrated to the U. S. during the potato famine. He was from County Galway. Several of my family, especially my sister, daugher and I, want to visit Ireland some day.

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Liamkeyes | Mar 16, 2011, 10:50 AM EDT
If your name is Murphy, Automatically they call you "Spud". White, they call you "Chalky" and Clark(e), they call you "Nobby". Don't ask me why. It's what it is jus like O'Connor is "Okie" Sullivan is 'Sully" Fitzpatrick, Fitzgerald, Fitzsimmons etc., it's "Fitzy" and so it goes.

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CrimGillespie | Mar 13, 2011, 07:07 PM EDT
I was told that my Great Grandfather came to America from Ireland with the last name Krime and once in America changed it to Crim to help him escape arrest. Anyone have any thought on these names? There is supposed to be a family crest, however without much information (and what I have is all word of mouth) I am almost at a loss.

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bootsjoyce4 | Feb 15, 2011, 03:32 PM EST
I think it's great. I come from a small coal region town where the people speak with Irish brogues. Girardville, Pa. Molly Maguire Country.

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countycork | Feb 15, 2011, 03:06 PM EST
I was hopin' to see Lynch...oh well....it's MY favorite!

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GeorgeDillon | Dec 29, 2010, 07:50 AM EST
jacersisityourself: I think that guy Myles Long had nothing to complain about. Of course sometimes what it says on the tin is not what's in the soup.

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GeorgeDillon | Dec 29, 2010, 07:48 AM EST
Towngate: Have you always been a racist or is it something you gravitated towards in later years? Some of your posts here are frankly disgusting.

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catlover81 | Dec 06, 2010, 04:02 PM EST
i wish McShea was on the list. that is my maiden name.

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Towngate | Nov 12, 2010, 12:15 PM EST
Just glad my Family name is included here,AK, so I will let you off this one! X .............GeorgeDillon are you possibly Chinese? Are you one of the Xenophobe Dillons.?

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GreenGodess | Sep 09, 2010, 11:36 AM EDT
I'm seeking news or information on my Grandmother Johann O'Bryan (Brien) born 4 Mar 1870 at 805, Tralee (2), Kerry, I believe her parents might have been Michaelum & Margaret (nee Lynch) Brien of Roscommon & Kilteevan : County Cork, Margaret may have haled from Mallow, Nr Cork. Also seeking others who may have an interest in the Callaghans from 488, Doneraile, County Cork, David (O') Callaghan married Johanna O'Bryan circa 1872 in St Giles, London. Any help or confirmation would be gratefully appreciated ribblehead@gmail.com

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judykay777 | Aug 31, 2010, 01:05 PM EDT
I'm looking for Killingsworth & Damron's - family please reply.

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Liamkeyes | Aug 23, 2010, 03:22 PM EDT
The surname Ryan originates and is numerous in Tipperary. The name Myles often shows up as in Myles Furlong. Myles from Co. Wexford tells that he was the eight child in his Family, hence the name.

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