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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 Sunday, May 1, 2011, 7:08 AM
Updated Sunday, May 1, 2011, 7:50 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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14 Comments

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mstillarose | Aug 20, 2011, 10:40 AM EDT
I was surprised not to see "McCarthy" on the list.

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casper62775 | May 06, 2011, 12:02 PM EDT
I though I would see Barry as well....

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maggiepoo | May 05, 2011, 01:04 PM EDT
I sort of thought I'd see "Barry". You know Barry's Tea and all.

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canadianirish | May 05, 2011, 11:18 AM EDT
Where's 'Collins'? Thought it would've made the top 10.

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GeorgeDillon | May 04, 2011, 02:18 PM EDT
Kendall: Popular isn't a common surname in Ireland--where did you get that idea?

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GeorgeDillon | May 02, 2011, 03:53 PM EDT
Smith is a very common name in Ireland, and most of the Irish Smiths are of Gaelic stock. It's especially strong in Cavan. In fact variations on Smith are very common throughout Europe.

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Kendall | May 02, 2011, 12:21 PM EDT
Seems to not include Smith because it’s not Irish is arbitrary and in error. There is a Gaelic origin for Smith (MacGabhann) just like Murphy. Many of the Irish names that you have noted have been anglicized, so why Smith should be singled out? I say this because Smith is one of the surnames, in my Irish linage along with Fitzgerald, Kennedy and Fitzpatrick. In my mind and I’m sure many others. I never think of Smith to be any less Irish, than the other names I listed.

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Tigearnan | May 02, 2011, 12:05 PM EDT
So ... that means O'Braoin is uncommon (ie not to many of us) ... damn ...

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Kendall | May 02, 2011, 12:01 PM EDT
I think Popular is a bad word choice. You're born with a surname you don't pick it out like a first name.

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IrishGirlyGirl | May 01, 2011, 08:01 PM EDT
My family is all Irish, and names vary from: Rainey (My last name, and yes, it is Irish) Collins (Mother's maiden name) Walsh (Grandmother's maiden name, did appear on this list) O'Reilly (Great-Grandmother's maiden name and the rest of that side of the family) I know there are plenty more though just in my roots alone. George Dillon, what you said is true, but this post is referring to Irish heritage last names, not of the people currently in Ireland from other countries and cultures.

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GeorgeDillon | May 01, 2011, 03:30 PM EDT
Where's Ying Yang? Jaryczevski? Singh? mBongo? Your list is quite inadequate, since it leaves out some of the most common names in Ireland right now.

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ardgehane | May 01, 2011, 12:56 PM EDT
What about O'Hanlyranohan? Must have come in #11.

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pugsmom | May 01, 2011, 11:37 AM EDT
Patrick? O'Padraig? I'm not certain of that second spelling, but have been told that "Patrick" was derived from it. However, I can't seem to find either spelling amongst the Irish clans. Can it be I'm NOT of Irish extract?!?

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Celticlass44 | May 01, 2011, 10:07 AM EDT
Was hoping to see McGroarty!

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