IrishCentral brings you the low down on the top 100 most common Irish surnames with a little explanation of where these names come from.
Whether you're looking to trace your family crest or trying to trace your family roots this list will point you in the right direction.
From Aherne to Whelan here is our top 100 Irish names:
Aherne - (Ó hEachtighearna/Ó hEachthairn) (each, steed tightearna, lord). Originally Dalcassian, this sept migrated from east Clare to Co. Cork. In County Waterford the English name Hearn is a synonym of Hearn.
MacAleese - MacGiolla (son of the devotee of Jesus). The name of a prominent Derry sept. There are many variants of the name such as MacIliese, MacLeese, MacLice, MacLise, etc. The best known of this spelling, the painter Daniel MacLise, was a family of the Scottish highlands, know as MacLeish, which settled in Cork.
Allen - This is usually of Scottish or English origin but sometimes Ó hAillín in Offaly and Tipperary has been anglicized Allen as well as Hallion. Occasionally also in Co. Tipperary. Allen is found as a synonym of Hallinan. As Alleyn it occurs frequently in mediaeval Anglo Irish records. The English name Allen is derived from that of a Welsh saint.
MacAteer - Mac an tSaoir (saor, craftsman) An Ulster name for which the Scottish MacIntyre, of similar derivation, is widely substituted. Ballymacateer is a place-name in Co. Armagh, which is its homeland. Mac an tSaoir is sometimes anglicized Wright in Fermanagh.
MacAuley - Awley. There are two distinct septs of this name, viz. MacAmhalghaidh of Offaly and West Meath, and the more numerous MacAmhlaoibh, a branch of the MacGuires which as MacAmhlaoibh gives the form Gawley in Connacht. Both are derived from personal names. The latter must not be confused with MacAuliffe.
MacAuliffe - Mac Amhlaoibh. An important branch of the McCarthys whose chief was seated at Castle MacAuliffe. The name is almost peculiar to south-west Munster.
Barry - de Barra. The majority of these names are of Norman origin, i.e. de Barr (a place in Wales); they became completely hibernicized. Though still more numerous in Munster than elsewhere the name is widespread throughout Ireland. Barry is also the anglicized form of Ó Báire (see under Barr) and Ó Beargha (meaning spear-like according to Woulfe) a small sept of Co. Limerick.
Blake - deBláca (more correctly le Bláca). One of the ‘Tribes of Galway’ an epithet name meaning black which superseded the original Cadell. They are descended from Richard Caddell, Sheriff of Connacht in 1303. They became and long remained very extensive landowners in Co. Galway. Branch settled in Co. Kildare where their name is perpetuated in three town lands called Blakestown.
Brennan - Ó Braonáin. (The word braon has several meanings, possibly sorrow in this case). The name of four unrelated septs, located in Ossory, east Galway, Kerry and Westmeath. The county Fermanagh sept of Ó Branáin was also anglicized Brennan as well as Brannan.
O’Brien - Ó Briain. A Dalcassian sept, deriving its name from historical importance from the family of King Brian Boru. Now very numerous in other provinces as well as Munster, being the fifth most numerous name in Ireland. In some cases O’Brien has been made a synonym of O’Byrne and others of the Norman Bryan.
Browne - De Brún, more correctly le Brún (brown). One of the Tribes of Galway. Other important families of Browne were established in Ireland from the Anglo-Norman invasion onwards. The Browns of Killarney, who came in the sixteenth century, intermarried with the leading Irish families and were noted for their survival as extensive Catholic landowners throughout the period of the Penal Laws (The Kenmare associated with their name is in Co. Limerick) The Browne family shown on the map in Co. Limerick is of Camus and of earlier introduction. Yet another important family of the name was of the Neale, Co. Mayo. In that county Browne has also been used as a synonym of (O) Bruen.
Burk - de Burgh de Búrca. This one of the most important and most numerous Hiberno-Norman names. First identified with Connacht it is now numerous in all the provinces (least in Ulster). Many sub-septs of it were formed called MacHugo, MacGibbon, Mac Seoinín (Jennings), MacRedmond, etc.
Butler - Always called deBuitléir in Irish, though it is of course properly le Butler not de. It is one of the great Norman-Anglo which, however, did not soon become hibernicized like the Burkes, etc. Historically it is mainly identified with the Ormond country. It is now very numerous in all the provinces except Ulster.
MacCabe - Mac Cába. A galloglass family with the O’Reillys and the O’Rourkes which became a recognized Breffny sept. Woulfe suggests cába, cape, a surname of the nickname. Having regards to their origin it is more likely to be from a non-Gaelic personal name.
Callaghan - Ó Ceallacháin The derivation from ceallach, strife, which usually given, is questioned but no acceptable alternative has been suggested. The eponymous ancestor in this case was Ceallacháin, King of Munster (d. 952). The sept was important in the present Co. Cork until the seventeenth century and the name is still very numerous there. The chief family was transplanted under the Cromwellian regime to east Clare, where the village of O’Callghan’s Mills is called after them.
Campbell - Mac Cathmhaoil (cathmhaoil, battle chief). An Irish sept in Tyrone; in Donegal it is usually of Scottish galloglass origin, viz. Mac Ailín a branch of the clan Campbell (whose name is from cam béal, crooked mouth) Many Campbells are of more recent Scottish immigrants. See MacCawell. The name has been abbreviated to Camp and even Kemp in Co. Cavan.
MacCarthy - Mac Ćarthaigh (cárthach, loving). The chief family of the Eoghanacht and one of the leading septs of Munster, prominent in the history of Ireland from the earliest times to the present. MacCarthy is the most numerous Mac name in Ireland.
Cassidy - Ó Caiside A Fermanagh family of ollavs and physicians to the Maguires. Now numerous in all the provinces except Connacht.
Clery - Cleary Ó Cléirigh (cléireach, clerk) One of the earliest hereditary surnames. Originally of Kilmacduagh (Co. Galway) the sept was dispersed and after the thirteenth century settled in several parts of the country; the most important branch were in Donegal where they became notable as poets and antiquaries. In modern times the name is found mainly in Munster and Dublin.
O'Connor - ÓConchobhair. The name of six distinct and important septs. In Connacht there were O’Connor and O’Conor Don (of which was the last High King of Ireland) with its branches O’Conor Roe and O’Conor Sligo; Also O’Conor Faly (i.e. of Offaly), O’Connor Kerry and O’Connor of Corcomroe (north Clare). The prefix, O, formerly widely discarded, has been generally resumed. Similarly the variant from Connors has been O’Connor again.
(O) Conroy - Conree, Conary, Conry. These mainly Connacht names, owing to the similarity to of the anglicized forms, have become virtually indistinguishable. They represent four Gaelic originals, viz. Mac Conraoi (Galway and Clare), Ó Conraoi (Galway), Ó Conaire (Munster and Ó Maolchonaire (an important literary family of Co. Roscommon)
Cooney - Ó Cuana (for the probable derivation see Coonan). Originally of Tyrone this family later migrated to north Connacht. The Cooneys of east Clare and south-east Galway may be of different origin.
MacCormack - Cormick Mac Cormaic. This like MacCormican is formed from the forename Cormac. This name is numerous throughout all the provinces, the spelling MacCormick being more usual in Ulster. For the most part it originated as a simple patronymic; the only recognized sept of the name was of the Fermanagh-Longford area. Many of the MacCormac(k) families of Ulster are of Scottish origin, being a branch of the clan Buchanan-MacCormick of MacLaine.
Daly - Dawley Ó Dálaigh (dálach, from dáil, assembly). One of the greatest names in Irish literature. Originally West Meath, but sub-septs in several different localities as Map. As that in Desmond appears in the records as early as 1165 it is probable that this was a distinct sept.
Darcy - Ó Dorchaidhe (dacha, dark) One of the ‘Tribes of Galway’ also anglicized Dorsey, it is the name of two septs, one in Mayo and Galway, the other in Co. Wexford.
(O) Delaney - Ó Dubhshláine (another case of dubh, black-Sláine, perhaps the river Slaney) The prefix O has been completely discarded in the anglicized form of the name. It appears as Delane in Mayo. Both now and in the past it is of Leix and Kilkenny.
(O) Dempsey - Ó Díomasaigh (díomasach, proud). A powerful sept in Clanmalier. O’Dempsey was one of the very few chiefs who defeated Strongbow in a military engagement. Many of his successors distinguished themselves as Irish patriots and they were ruined as a result of their loyalty to James II. The name is now numerous in all the provinces.
Disney - Derived from a French place-name and originally written D’Isigny etc., the name Disney occurs quite frequently in the records of several Irish counties in the south and midlands since the first half of the seventeenth century.
(O) Dolan - The general accepted form in Irish today is Ó Dúbhláin (mod. Ó Dúláin) as given by Woulfe and others. O’Dolean, later Dolan, derives from Ó Dobhailen the name of a family on record since the twelfth century in the baronies of Clonmacnowen, Co. Galway, and Athlone, Co. Roscommon, in the heart of the Uí Mainecountry and quite distinct from Ó Doibhilin (Devlin). There has been a movement north-eastwards so that now the name Dolan is numerous in Co. Leitrim, Fermanagh, and Cavan as well Co. Galway and Roscommon.
Mac Donagh - Mac Donnchadha (son of Donagh). A branch of the MacDermots of Connacht where the name is very numerous. In Connemara the name is usually that of a branch of the O’Flahertys. The MacDonagh sept in Co. Cork were a branch of the McCarthys: the name is now rare there and apparently many of these resumed the name MacCarthy.
O’Donnell - Ó Domhnaill. The main sept, one of the most famous in Irish history, especially in the seventeenth century, is of Tirconnell; another is of Thomond and a third of the Uí Maine.
(O) Donoghue - Donohoe ÓDonnchadha. An important sept in Desmond: where the name was perpetuated in the territory called Onaght O’Donoghue. There also were two others in County Galway and Co. Cavan where the spelling Donohoe is usual. According to Dr. John Ryan there was another O’Donoghue sept in Co. Tipperary of Eoghanacht. Descent.
Mac Dowell - Mac Dubhghaill (dubh, black-gall, foreigner) This is the Irish from of the name of the Scottish family of Macdugall which came from the Hebrides of galloglasses, and settled in Co. Roscommon where Lismacdowell locates them. It is now mainly found in north Ulster, largely due to more recent immigration.
(O) Duffy - ÓDubhthaigh. *A numerous name in all the provinces except Munster. Modern statistics show that is now the most numerous name in Co. Monaghan.
(O) Dwyer - Ó Duibhir (dubh and odhar, gen. uidhir, duncoloured). Of Kilnamanagha, a leading sept in mid-Tipperary. A great name is resistance to English domination.
Mac Fadden - Fayden Mac Pháidín(Paídí n, a diminutive of Pádraig, Patrick). An Ulster name, of both Scottish and Irish origin. Without the Mac it is found in Mayo.
Fanning - Fannin Fainín. A Name of Norman origin prominent in Co. Limerick where Fanningstown, formerly of Ballyfanning, indicates the location. They were formerly of Ballingarry, Co. Tipperary, where in the fifteenth century the head of the family was, like Irish chiefs, officially described as ‘captain of his nation’. Fannin is a variant.
Fitzgerald - Mac Gerailt. One of the two greatest families which came to Ireland as a result of the Anglo-Norman invasion. It had two main divisions, Desmond (of whom are the holders of the ancient titles Knight of Kerry and Knight of Glin); and Kildare, whose leaders held almost regal sway up to the time of the Rebellion of Silken Thomas and the execution of Henry VIII of Thomas and his near relatives in 1537. The bane is now very numerous.
Fitzpatrick - Mac Giolla Phádraig (devotee of St. Patrick). The only Fitz name of Gaelic-Irish origin, the main sept being located in Ossory. The name is numerous also in Fermanagh where families so called are said to be of MacGuire stock.
Flanagan - Ó Flannagáin (flann, ruddy or red). Of the several septs of the name that of Connacht is the most important: their chief ranked as one of the ‘royal lords’ under O’Connor, King of Connacht.
Flood - Some Floods are of English extraction, but in Ireland they are plainly Ó Maoltuile or Mac Maoltuile, abbreviated to Mac an Tuile and Mac Tuile anglicized MacAtilla or MacTully as well as Flood. Tuile means flood but probably it is here for toile, gen. of toil, will, i.e. the will of God. In parts of Ulster Flood is used for the Welsh Floyd. (Welsh llwyd. Grey)
(O) Flynn - Flyng ÓFloinn (flann, ruddy). This numerous and widespread name originated in a number of different places, including Kerry and Clare. Of the two in Co. Cork one was a branch of the Corca Laoidhe, the other, lords of Muskerylinn (Muiscre Uí Fhloinn); in north Connacht the O’Flynns were leading men under the royal O’Connors, and there was also an erenagh family there; while further West on the shores of Lough Conn another distinct erenagh family was located. For the name in Ulster is an indigenous sept.
(O) Gallagher - ÓGallchobhair. This name (gallchobhar, foreign help) has at least 23 variant spellings in anglicized forms, several of them beginning with Gol instead of Gal. It is that of one of the principal septs of Donegal.
MacGowan - Mac an Ghabhann, Mac Gabhann. In Co. Cavan, the homeland of this sept, the name has been widely changed by translation to Smith (though Smithson was a truer translation); but in outlying areas of Breffny MacGowan is retained.
(O) Grady - Ó Grádaigh (gráda, illustrious). A Dalcassian sept. The leading family went to Co. Limerick but the majority are still Clare where the prefix O is retained more than anywhere else. An important branch changed their name to Brady in the late sixteenth century. The well-known name Grady has to a large extent absorbed the rarer Gready which is properly a Mayo name. This resulted in the name of Grady being numerous in north Connacht and adjacent areas of Ulster.
MacGrath - Magrath Mac Graith, Mag Raith. The personal name in this case is Craith not Raith. The name of two distinct septs; viz. (i) that of Thomond who supplied hereditary ollamhs in poetry to the O’Briens, a branch of whom migrated to Co. Wexford; and (ii) of Termon MacGrath in north-west Ulster, a co-arb family. MacGrath is often called MacGraw in Co. Down and MacGragh in Donegal.
(O) Hagan - Ó hÁgáin. It is fairly well established that this name was originally Ó hÓgáin (from óg, young). It is that of an important Ulster sept: the leading family was of Tullahogue. Ó hAodhagáin, also anglicized O’Hagan, is said to be a distinct sep of Oriel, but owing to proximity of Co. Tyrone and Armagh, they are now indistinguishable. The Offaly name mentioned by Woulfe is now extinct or absorbed by Egan in Leinster. ÉO Dowd (a) Ó Dubhda. A branch settled in Kerry where they are called Doody. Another small sept of Ó Dubhda Co. Derry and they are usually Duddy now.
Hanlon - Ó hAluain (possibly from luan, champion, intensified by an) One of the most important of the septs of Ulster. The present association of the name with West Munster is of comparatively recent inception.
O'Hara - Ó hEaghra. An important dual sept located in Co. Sligo, the chiefs being O’Hara Boy (buidhe) and O’Hara Reagh (riabhach). A branch migrated to the glens of Antrim.
(O) Healy - Hely This is Ó hÉalaighthe in Munster, sometimes anglicized Healihy, and ÓhÉilidhe in north Connacht, derived respectfully from words meaning ingenious and claimant. Ballyhelyon Lough Arrow was the seat of the altar. The Munster sept was located in Donoughmore, Co. Cork, whence was taken the title conferred on the Protestant branch.
(O) Heaney - Heeney T he Principal sept of this name is Ó hÉighnigh in Irish, important and widespread in Oriel, formerly stretching its influence into Fermanagh. Hegney is a variant. Another family of the name Ulster were erenaghs of Banagher in Co. Derry. Minor septs of Ó hÉanna (Éanna, old form of Enda), also anglicized Heaney, were of some note in Clare, Limerick, and Mayo up to the seventeenth century.
(O) Higgins - Ó hUigín (from an Old-Irish word akin to Viking, not from uige). A sept of the southern Uí Néill which migrated to Connacht. The O’Higgins father and son of South American fame came from Ballinary, Co. Sligo, not Ballina.
(O) Hogan - Ó hÓgain (og, young) Three septs are so called: one is Dalcassian and one of Lower Dormond (sometimes regarded as the same); there is also one of the Corca Laoidhe.
Kane - O Cahan Ó Catháin. As lords of Keenaght the O’Kanes were a leading sept in Ulster up to the time of the plantation of Ulster. The name is still very numerous in its original homeland.
Keating - One of the earliest Hibernicized Anglo-Norman families whose name was gaelicized Ćeitinn. They settled in south Leinster. The historian Dr. Geoffrey Keating was of C. Tipperary. The name with the prefix Mac is associated exclusively with the Downpatrick area, where MacKetian is a synonym of it. The theory that Keating is derived from Mac Eitienne is improbable. Woulfe makes it toponymic. The most acceptable suggestion is that it is from Cethyn, a Welsh personal name.
(O) Kelly - Ó Ceallaigh (The derivation of Kelly is uncertain: the most probable suggestion is that is from ceallach, strife) The most important and numerous sept of this name is that of the Uí Maine. Kelly is the second most numerous name in Ireland. In 1890 less than one percent of them had the prefix O but this has been to some extent resumed.
Mac Kenna - Kennagh Mac Cionaoith. A branch of the southern Uí Neill, mainly located in Co. Monaghan where they were lords of Truagh; the name is now fairly numerous also in Leinster and Munster. Locally in Clare and Kelly the last syllable is stressed, giving the variants Kennaw, Ginna, Gna, etc.
Kennedy - Ó Cinnéide (ceann, head-éidigh, ugly). An important Dalcassian sept of east Clare which settled in north Tipperary and spread thence far as Wexford whence came the family of President J.F. Kennedy. The Scottish Kennedys are by remote origin Irish Gaels.
Lawless - Laighléis (from the Old-English laghles, outlaw). The name, introduced into Ireland after the Anglo-Norman invasion, is now numerous in Co.s Dublin and Galway. It was one of the ‘Tribes of Kilkenny’ but has now no close association with the city.
(O) Leahy - Ó Laochdha (laochda, heroic). This name is very numerous in Munster but not elsewhere It is basically distinct from Lahy though they have been used synonymously.
(O) Leary - Ó Laoghaire. (Laoghaire was one of the best-known personal names of Ancient Ireland). A sept of the Corca Laoidhe established in Muskerry, of importance in all fields of national activity, especially in literature, and in the military sphere both at home and as the Wild Geese.
(O) Lemon - Lenna Ó Leannáin (possibly from leann, a cloak or mantle; leanán, paramour, has also been suggested). This is the name of several distinct septs located respectively in Co.s Cork, Fermanagh, and Galway. The last named is of the Sodhan pre-Gaelic stock. The Fermanagh family were erenaghs of Lisgoole. Ó Leannáin is also used as a synonym of Lineen (Ó Luinín), another Fermanagh erenagh family. Further confusion arises from the fact that these have been widely changed to the English name Leonard.
Mac Loughlin - Mac Lochlainn (from a Norse personal name). Of Inishowen. A senior branch of the Northern Uí Néill. They lost their early importance as a leading sept of Tirconnell in the thirteenth century, but are still very numerous in their original homeland-Co.s Donegal and Derry-where their name is usually spelt MacLaughlin; MacLoughlin, also numerous, is more widespread. Minor septs in Connacht were akin to the MacDermota and the O’Connors.
Mac Mahon - Mac Mathghamhna mod. Mac Mathúna (mathghamhan, bear) Thename of two septs, both of importance. That of Thomond descends from Mahon O’Brien, grandson of Brian Ború. MacMahon is now the most numerous name in Co. Clare. In later times the majority of the many of the name were from the Co. Monaghan, where McMahons are numerous today, though less so in Thomond.
(O) Malley - Mailey Ó Máille. (meall, peasant). A branch of the Cenél Eoghain located in Tyrone where their territory was known as ‘O’Mellan’s Country’. They were hereditary keepers of the Bell of St. Patrick.
O’Meara - Mara Ó Meadhra (meadhar, merry). This well-known sept, which has produced many distinguished men and women, gave its name to the village of Toomevara, which locates their homeland. This one of the few O names from which the prefix was never very widely dropped.
Molloy - Mulloy Ó Maolmmhuaidh. (The adjective muadh) denotes bit and soft as well noble). An important sept of Fercal in mid-Leister. Molly is an anglicized form of Ó Maolaoidh. Apart from five variant spellings, such as Maloy and Mulloy, Molloy has been officially recorded as synonym of Mulvogue (Connacht), Logue (Co. Donegal), Mullock (Offaly), Mulvihill (Kerry), and Slowey (Co. Monaghan) while Maloy has been used for MacCloy in Co. Derry.
(O) Moran - Apart from MacMorran of Fermanagh, which has inevitably been changed to Moran, there are a number of distinct septs of Ó Moráin and Ó Moghrain whose name is anglicized Moran. Four of these are of Connacht-in which province the name is much more numerous than elsewhere-originally located (a) at Elphin (akin to the O’Connors), (b) in Co. Leitrim (of the Muinitir Eolais), (c) in. Co. Mayo at Ardanee, (d) in Co. Galway, a minor branch of the Uí Maine. The Leitrim families are also called Morahan, as is the fifth to be enumerated, viz. that of Offaly, where Morrin is a synonym.
Moynihan - Ó Muimhneacháin (Muimhneach, Munsterman). Although there was a small sept of this name, sometimes changed to Munster, in Mayo, families so called belong almost exclusively to south-west Munster, Moynihan being very numerous on the borders of two counties. Minihan, another form of the name, is mainly found in Cork.
(O) Mulligan - Ó Maolagáin (probably a diminutive of maol, see MacMullen). An important sept in Donegal, much reduced at the time of the Plantation of Ulster and now found more in Co. Mayo and Monaghan.
(O) Murphy - Ó Murchadh. Murphy is the most numerous name in Ireland. The resumption of the prefixes O and Mac, which is a modern tendency with most Gaelic-Irish names, has not taken place in the case of Murphy.
(Mac) Nally - Mac Anally Mac an Fhailghih (failgheach, poor man). Without the prefix Mac this name now is found mainly in Mayo and Roscommon; with the Mac it belongs to Oriel. Woulfe says that the Mayo Nallys are of Norman or Welsh oigin and acquired a Gaelic name. This is unlikely in the case of the MacNallys of Ulster as there they are often called Mac Con Ulaidh (son of the hound of Ulidia, i.e. eastern Ulster). In the ‘census ‘ of 1659 it appears as MacAnully, MacEnolly, MacNally, and Knally, all in Oriel or in counties adjacent thereto.
Mac Namara - Mac Conmara (hound of the sea). The most important sept of the Dál gCais after the O’Briens to whom they were marshals.
(O) Nolan - Knowlan Ó Nualláin (nuall, shout) In early times holding hereditary office under the Kings of Leinster, the chief of this sept was known as Prince of the Foherta, i.e. the Barony of Forth, in the present county of Carlow where the name was and still is numerous. A branch migrated to east Connacht and Co. Longford, in Roscommon and Mayo Nolan is used synonymously with Holohan (from the genitive plural); and in Fermanagh as an Anglicized form of ÓhUltacháin (Hultaghan). There was also a sept of the name of Corca Laoidhe which is now well represented in Co. Kerry.
Prendergast - de Priondragás. One of the powerful families which came to Ireland at the time of the Anglo-Norman invasion. They are still found mainly in the places of their original settlement. Some of those in Mayo assumed the name FitzMaurice.
MacQuaid - Quade Mac Uaid (son of Wat). A well-known name in Co. Monaghan and adjacent areas. Without the prefix Mac the name is found in Co. Limerick.
(O) Rafferty - Ó Raithbheartaigh, mod. Ó Raifeartaigh. Though etymologically this (from rath bheartach, prosperity wielder) is distinct from Ó Robhartaigh (from robharta, full tide) anglicized O’Roarty, these two names have been treated as one, at least since the fifteenth century. As co-arbs of St. Columcille on Tory Island Roarty is now mainly Co. Donegal while Rafferty is of Co. Tyrone and Co. Lough.
(O) Rahilly - Ó Raithile this well-known Munster family originated as a branch of the Cenél Eoghain in Ulster buthas long been closely associated with west Munster, the poet Egan O’Rahilly for example was a Kerryman.
Redmond - Réamonn. A Hiberno-Norman family of importance throughout Irish history. They are associated almost entirely with South Wexford. The branch of the MacMurroughs in north of that county, some of whom adopted the name of Redmond whose chief was called Mac Davymore, are quite distinct from the MacRedmonds.
(O) Regan - Ó Riagain. Ó Réagainis used in county Waterford. There are three septs with this name. That shown as of Leix was in the early times one of the ‘Tribes of Tara’. The eponymous ancestors of the Thomond sept were akin to Brian Boru. The third was akin to the MacCarthys.
(O) Reilly - Ó Raghailligh One of the most numerous names in Ireland, especially so in Co. Cavan. The prefix O has been widely resumed in the anglicized form. The head of this important sept was chief Breffny O’Reilly
(O) Riordan - Rearden Ó Riordáin. This numerous sept belongs exclusively to Minster, he earlier form of Ó Rioghbhardáin reveals its derivation from riogh bhard, royal bard.
(O) Rooney - Ó Ruanaidh. Originating in Co. Down, where Ballyroney locates them, this name is now numerous in all the provinces except Munster. In West Ulster and north Connacht Rooney is often an abbreviation of Mulrooney.
(O) Shea - Shee Ó Séaghdha; mod. Ó Sé (séaghdha, hawklike, secondary meaning stately). Primarily a Kerry sept, but (as in Shee) it is notable as the only Gaelic-Irish name among “the Tribes of Kilkenny’ to which county and Co. Tipperary a branch of the sept migrated in the thirteenth century.
(O) Sheehan - Sheahan Ó Síodhacháin. (The obvious derivation from síodhach, peaceful, is not accepted by some Celtic scholars). The Dalcassian sept which spread southwards accounts for the majority of Sheehans who are now very numerous in Co.s Cork, Kerry, and Limerick. Formerly also there was an Uí Maine sept of this name which, however, is rarely found in Connacht today.
(O) Slattery - Ó Slatara, Ó Slatraigh (slatra, strong). Of Ballyslatterly in east Clare. The name has now spread to adjacent counties of Munster.
Smith - Smyth When not the name of an English settler family, Smith is usually a synonym of MacGowan, nearly always so in Co. Cavan.
(Mac) Spillan(e) - Mac Spealáin (derivation as O’Spillane). The family is, however, quite distinct from Ó Spealáin (O’Spillane) Spollan and Spollin, rarely retaining the prefix Mac, are numerous in County Offaly. Older anglicized forms were Spalane and Spalon.
(O) Sullivan - Ó Súileabhain. (While there is no doubt that the basic word is súil (eye) there is a disagreement as to the meaning of the last part of the name). This is the most numerous surname in Munster and is third in all of Ireland. Originally of south Tipperary, the O’Sullivans were forced westwards by the Anglo-Norman invasion where they became one of the leading septs of the Munster Eoghanacht. There were several sub-septs, of which O’Sullican Mor and O’Sullivan Baere were the most important.
(Mac) Sweeney - Swiney Mac Suibhne (the word suibhne denotes peasant, the opposite of diubhneI). Of all galloglass origin it was not until the fourteenth century that the three great Tirconnell septs of MaSweeney were established; more than a century later a branch went to Munster.
(O) Tierney - Ó Tighearnaigh (tighearna, lord). There were three septs of this name, in Donegal, Mayo, and Westmeath, but it is now scattered. It is much confused with Tiernan in Mayo. In southern Ulster this is usually of different origin, viz., Mac Giolla Tighearnaigh, which was formerly also anglicized MacIltierney.
Walsh - Breat(h)nach (Welshman) which is re-anglicized also as Brannagh, Brannick etc. A name given independently to many unconnected families in different parts of the country and now the fourth most numerous of all Irish surnames. It is sometimes spelt Welsh, which is the pronunciation of Walsh in Munster and Connacht.
(O) Whelan Ó Faoláin (faol, wolf). A variant form of Phelan numerous in the country between Co. Tipperary and Co. Wexford. Whelan is also sometimes an abbreviation of Whelehan and occasionally a synonym of Hyland. Whelan is rare in Ulster.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.CathalCav | Apr 05, 2013, 11:22 AM EDT
The most important O'Malley clan group from Tirawley, Co. Mayo has been omitted. Also though you do have a reference to the Leinster McMurroughs in relation to the McDavymore Redmonds of North Wexford, you make no mention of the powerful Kavanaghs/Cavanaghs. In general, McMurrough was used as a title for the Cavanagh clan chieftains rather than as a surname.
maryb11 | Mar 07, 2013, 11:43 AM EST
CAN SOMEONE HELP ME TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THE NAME "FISHER " IS IRISH. ANY THOUGHTS. MY FIRST TIME HERE. AN EARLY ' HAPPY ST. PATRICKS'S DAY TO ALL. GOD BLESS.
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Frosty38 | Nov 11, 2012, 03:55 PM EST
McClung I look at the census that I have it is not on it early. Maybe after the early one was done. was done
Frosty38 | Oct 29, 2012, 09:58 AM EDT
this is for the lady wanting to know where her family is from NI and they have a lot of areas McClung's Northern ireland Antrim Armagh Down Tyrone only 31 families in the early years Help this helps. I do family history for a hobby
Frosty38 | Oct 29, 2012, 09:54 AM EDT
My husband is a Connolly from Cork. They arrived into New Brunswick in 1835 with the first group. Then came to Maine
michaelfshea | Oct 24, 2012, 11:00 AM EDT
shea- foot high wave eat- ireland, lake vanern, sweden.
Roger Sweny | Oct 23, 2012, 10:27 AM EDT
My name is obviously a "Mac Suibhne" variant, and although I prefer the pronunciation "swenny", I usually answer to almost anthing! Iterestingly, my older generation (now passed on, R.I.P.) always used the pronunciation "swinny". My reason for writingin is that you have "suibhne" as meaning "peasant", whereas I have always seen it given as "pleasant", as opposed to "duibhne", which I understand to mean "dark, or unpleasant", as in Dublin, a dark pool. I don't mean to imply that Dublin is unpleaasant, far from it - I have always found it to be a most pleasant city to visit, and would recommendit anybody.
nena729 | Oct 05, 2012, 09:44 PM EDT
Like this site just not too helpful for me, at least not that I have been able to see. Trying to find where in Ireland the McClung's were from.
FierceAsHounds | Oct 04, 2012, 05:35 PM EDT
No Connolly's? We already know we are in top Irish names!! haha
Seannachy | Sep 22, 2012, 07:45 PM EDT
The following shud be read after the one below? In any event you should include your source(s) as well as some sort of disclaimer that you have left out many names. You did include my mother's maiden name, Murphy, & her mother's name McGrath but left out my father's mother's name Cunniff, anglicized 'Bones' from the Irish word for bone, cnamh. To summarize, I would suggest that you list your source(s) or your criteria at the onset in order to avoid being personally accused of playing favorites as there are many disagreements in both Irish & Celtic history as well as genealogy. And as a postscript, for your information, a recent book (2006) by Bryan Sykes, professor of human genetics at Oxford, titled "Saxons, Vikings, and Celts" "The Genetic Roots of Britain and Ireland", published in England as "The Blood of the Isles", indicated that the overwhelming maternal & paternal DNA thruout the Republic & the UK is of an indigenous 'Insular' & an Atlantic coast Western 'Celtic' origin going back to Paleolithic & Mesolithic times, some 10,000 years ago. As Prof Sykes says: "The Irish, the Welsh and the Scots know this, but the English sometimes think otherwise. But, just a little way beneath the surface, the strands of ancestry weave us all together as the children of a common past."
Seannachy | Sep 22, 2012, 07:44 PM EDT
I get it. I shud uv dun it backwards. So I will. cont.
Seannachy | Sep 22, 2012, 07:43 PM EDT
As an hereditary keeper of the Lore, I am both bound and a bit curious how you came up with this list? Was it the surnames from a list of the employees of Irish Central/Voice/America? You fail to mention your source nor to define what you mean by an "Irish" name. Obviously you are not referring to those Pre-Norman Gaelic clans, technically, the original "Celtic/Milesian/Gaelic/ Irish" who came to Ireland c. 500 B.C. Brian Boru issued a decree in the 10th c. that all Irish who hadn't already were to take a surname, the 1st time in Europe that this was done. You apparently are using the names of all those familes born & raised in Ireland despite the non-Ireland origin of their surname, Celts as well as non-Celts. This I infer from your describing your own paternal surname, Fitzgerald as: "One of the two greatest families which came to Ireland as a result of the Anglo-Norman invasion. " Is it based on the most recent census? From a genealogical tome such as O'Hart, Boylan, Grenham or MacLysaght, et al? I'm sure you know that to make a list like this would necessitate your exclusion of many, many Irish names and be a sure bone of contention to many Irish who may feel slighted by the absence of their name. I admit to a wee bit of umbrage, myself, that you left out mention of my paternal surname, Casey/O'Casey, which acccording to the research of History House Publishing of Ennis, Co Clare (which was for the most part publishers of genealogical research), in 1987 indicated it was #45 of the top 100 'original' Irish, Pre-Norman names & that a minimum of 110,000 Casey families existed thruout the world. cont.
Seannachy | Sep 22, 2012, 07:41 PM EDT
Oh I get it, a little bit at a time.
Seannachy | Sep 22, 2012, 07:40 PM EDT
Hey whatever happened to my comments?
susan mulledy | Sep 19, 2012, 09:30 PM EDT
I bought a map a long time ago that had names written in each county. My family name is very rare though very old Irish so it was on that map right where my Dad claimed the family came from. He was wrong only by a few miles though. Back in the old days prior to being invaded by England County Longford had different boundaries which included where my father had chosen for our family. But after the plantations the lines were redrawn. I found my family right where they were suppose to be in Longford right near the border of Westmeath. They have lived there for a very long, long ,long ,time. That map I bought for five dollars at a city fair was the start of my search.
Jewels | Sep 18, 2012, 05:49 AM EDT
Well I wish I could read all the names on the Map! The print is to small and blury. I am looking for 2 last names, Greenlaw and O'Camb
paul cameron | Sep 08, 2012, 10:05 PM EDT
Great list but seems to be short of some other popular names.
johnfkav | Sep 07, 2012, 02:32 AM EDT
My name is Kavanagh,(not mentioned) and having read about a lot of VERY, VERY popular Irish names omitted, this list is completely and utterly inaccurate. I'm surprised that Kennedy made your list.
clascoutx | Sep 02, 2012, 04:03 PM EDT
...whelan=gwylan(Walsh)=gwelan/goelan(Breton)==foilenn= violenno(OCeltic)=guilan(Cornish)=gull=uilana(N)=to drag all 4's, wings and talons. (N)=Nauatl, e.g., ce(N)=one,=cel/celtin(N)=only/alone. so you see, me heartys, Nauatl is Celtic, and every other language. when (o)=0lin(N)inserted=violin/violet/violence, because what do you do with a violin but drag it? and the word, wheel(E)= uilana(N)because that's what a gull/whelan do. aren't i the smart ass?, but the Church made us stupid on this one.
Frosty38 | Aug 13, 2012, 09:40 AM EDT
Just got and email from my Irish Cousin Galway we have the Birminghams as far as the 1700 where is it before that?
Murragh | Aug 12, 2012, 09:14 PM EDT
TOP 100? All Irish names are TOP. O'Mahony, McCarthy and O'Driscoll are names from the Norman times.
adrienrain | Aug 04, 2012, 01:43 PM EDT
Can't you guys afford a proofreader? Or editor? "(The adjective muadh) denotes bit and soft as well noble)." I have no idea what that sentence means.
oldboreen | Jul 05, 2012, 05:06 PM EDT
Celticlady51-One possible explanation for your Dutch origin.Protestant Anglo-Irish landowners employed native Irish only as a very last resort.Hundreds of poor Protestant Germans and Dutch were 'imported'to work in the great houses and on estates.By no means were all servants English or Scottish.
oldboreen | Jul 05, 2012, 04:58 PM EDT
Does anyone know how Melville came to Co Kerry? It is Scottish in origin-I know that much. Did any of the defeated Jacobite army flee south after the Boyne defeat?
flanigantina | Jun 07, 2012, 12:16 PM EDT
so what about flannagan,flannigan,flanigan or o,flanigan,whatcan you tell me. ?
mmmmikkimac | May 04, 2012, 09:43 PM EDT
Looking for connection to N. Ireland for Andrew Moore, who most likely immigrated to the US prior to the Rev. War and settled in Washington County, PA.
mmmmikkimac | May 04, 2012, 09:41 PM EDT
Looking for clams for Mc Aninch and McElderry, both in N. Ireland. I found suggestions that these families were in the counties of Ulster, Armagh, Down, and Tyrone respectively. Would appreciate any suggestions on which villages might be associated with these families. Thank you.
alantobe | Apr 14, 2012, 12:00 PM EDT
another name that was left out was (O')Ronayne/Ronan/Rónáin. This name has been in Ireland for at least 2,000 years.
debimcguin | Feb 04, 2012, 03:10 PM EST
As I didn't see my family names, could you do an issue of The Tribes of Galway, my family names on my mother's side is French or ffrench. Would love to see what information you could up with to compare to my own. There is Castle French, Frenchpark, etc........ Even my great great grandmothers name Harrigan wasn't mentioned or on my father's side McGuin. Thank you.
CelticLady51 | Jan 23, 2012, 04:10 PM EST
My family I think may have been Dutch immigrants to Ireland, but they became Irish. My last name is Snider which is said to be either Dutch, Irish or Scottish. I know I am Irish though. I was adolpted as a child and this is really all I know about my blood parents whose families, at the time, were ranchers in Nebraska. Can anyone help me find out at least where the Sniders may have lived in Ireland?
megryanheery | Oct 17, 2011, 08:43 AM EDT
Uh, where are the Ryans? The number in family alone probably puts that name in the top 50.
theresa719 | Sep 28, 2011, 11:18 PM EDT
very nice...im enjoying looking thur things....
Morgainne | Jun 06, 2011, 09:43 AM EDT
I am a descendant of the Campbells from one generation ago; I know it also is associated with the Scottish Clan. I find this facinating; in that the explainations of the names and meaning; are something that I had researched and until now could not locate. Thank you.
dogsbottom | Jun 01, 2011, 02:10 PM EDT
it was great to read Top 100 Irish last names explained By BRYAN FITZGERALD, IrishCentral.com Staff Writer what happened to the name Brady surely this is the most popular name as it used as a fore name and surname in USA parts of cavan and meath and other county's its as popular as rain in Ireland maybe writer needs a holiday to trace some Ruth's
sharonnoella | May 18, 2011, 05:02 AM EDT
Hmm! No Monaghan or O'Toole!
GeorgeDillon | May 12, 2011, 12:55 PM EDT
josephpatrick: "Iam a McEvoy, from the Armagh area. It was originally McAvoy. Grandmother was from Cork, a Sullivan. My mother was a McDonnell, and my other grandmother was a Keenan. My great grandmother was an O'Neal." That's really interesting. Can you give us more information? How about your great great grandfather?
josephpatrick | May 01, 2011, 01:42 PM EDT
Iam a McEvoy, from the Armagh area. It was originally McAvoy. Grandmother was from Cork, a Sullivan. My mother was a McDonnell, and my other grandmother was a Keenan. My great grandmother was an O'Neal.
Ballyphehane1 | Apr 20, 2011, 02:32 PM EDT
I think some of the more popular Cork names are definitely missing from this. Ah well - it's all just a bit of fun isn't it. And...since Disney is on there - maybe that means we can claim Mickey Mouse as one of our own!
OGollaher | Apr 03, 2011, 03:54 PM EDT
(O) Gallagher - ÓGallchobhair: A sept of the O'Donnells from Co Donegal and still amoung the most common surnames there. Meaning "Foreign help, assistance, succor;" there is also a pet form in some parts of (O)Gallcú meaning "foreign hound (dog)' a play on the historical significance of the hound as a fierce protector. They were early on the military marshals of the O'Donnell (cavalry), then quite prominent as Catholic clergy. If your surname is a variant of ÓGallagher, your ancestors ALL came from a relatively small area of what is now Co Donegal and nowhere else. My surname is spelled Gollaher - I suppose in an effort to get the English to pronounce it correctly ;D (silent 'gh' you know - as in 'neighbor.')
GeorgeDillon | Mar 19, 2011, 06:57 AM EDT
KathywithaK "a little disappointed I didn't fin my family's name". Why should you, Kathy? Withak isn't an Irish name.
GeorgeDillon | Mar 19, 2011, 06:55 AM EDT
gerardthomas: "I wish that they would kindly include my family name of Clair,which is supposed to be Irish." It isn't.
littlefoot1947 | Mar 18, 2011, 11:49 PM EDT
I liked it very much but I was kinda disappointed that neither of my grandparents names were ther amongst the top 100. As I'm told,"gunnings held territory in Castleconnell/Castlegunning". Crest:A dove holding in the dexterclaw a caduceus proper. Motto:Imperio regit unus aequo Translation:One rules with unbiased sway. Farrell/O'Farrell can be traced all the way back to Ir:Son of Milesius from ancient Irish records BC 288 to 216. my sister sent me papers of the whereabouts & origins of both names,not trying to be snooty,but with such History for both names I just was expecting to maybe see it. I liked the being able to see all of names & their History. I also wished the map would've printed when I printed it for my files. Thank you & your staff for doing a very good job.
gerardthomas | Mar 17, 2011, 11:23 PM EDT
I wish that they would kindly include my family name of Clair,which is supposed to be Irish.
AERIE317 | Mar 17, 2011, 09:59 PM EDT
I'm sorry that Maloney, my family name wasn't in there. Not even a derivative.
AlanJohnson | Mar 17, 2011, 10:16 AM EDT
Even if I don't win (which is most likely), I appreciate the opportunity. I was born Irish (Roark)but was adopted when I was 3 years old and my last name was changed to that of my step-father (Johnson) who my mother had married. I have never lost sight of my Irish heritage and am very proud of it. My stepfather has been very good to me over my life of 59 years. He died last week (bless his heart)but now I feel that I can explore my heritage further by visiting Ireland without hurting his feelings or pride.
KathywithaK | Mar 16, 2011, 09:14 PM EDT
a little disappointed I didn't fin my family's name
jackieo | Mar 16, 2011, 09:01 PM EDT
I am of cleary,clancy,enright,and casey and i married O'Hara---sweet
Noebody55 | Mar 16, 2011, 05:19 PM EDT
If you are Irish, you're great...
Finbarrfinkel | Mar 16, 2011, 04:32 PM EDT
Looking at the comments there are more names missing than present
stmungo | Mar 16, 2011, 01:46 PM EDT
I would think Heggarty (o'heagarteach ) meaning "unjust" would be of significance. Seeing as it is ancient.
patriot | Mar 15, 2011, 04:13 PM EDT
Without Larkin, you fall short.
granya1 | Mar 06, 2011, 09:57 AM EST
How about McDaid from Derry? Any ideas of the origin?
LoneBiker | Mar 05, 2011, 02:28 PM EST
What about the surname Fuller from County Cork? I've been told that's where we're from (besides London and Southern Scotland). Grandfather was James Green Fuller, grandmother was Liza Beddingfield. I'd love to have an Irish passport.
Etchory | Mar 04, 2011, 02:03 PM EST
I think the ethnic slur about drunkards is in poor taste. Sad that is still acceptable to insult the Irish. Hold on to your head if you insult Muslims.
Etchory | Mar 04, 2011, 01:59 PM EST
I can not believe Lynch is not included. I am married to a Lynch from Ballevourney, Co Cork. Lynch's from Galway more famous, or infamous with the hanging judge leading to the term "lynching". Unforgivable over sight!!!!
leperchaun377 | Mar 02, 2011, 12:20 PM EST
NOT MUCH SINCE O.MEEHAN WAS NT LISTED.
Searlit | Feb 18, 2011, 12:27 PM EST
GeorgeDillon, I'm a little late getting back to you on the name Keogh. I think it may mean by way of horse or horsemen. The word caoi means way and the English seemed to have turned everything spelled with a C to a K. I give you cill (church) changed to Kil. Caoi has the right sound for the first syllable of this name Keogh.
sharlot | Feb 16, 2011, 08:26 PM EST
Anyone have info on the name Darcy? That was my grandmother's name-she was from Tulsk, C. Roscommon; it is a Norman name, I believe, one of the Twelve Tribes of Galway---
srdools | Feb 14, 2011, 11:12 AM EST
To Bloomberg It's just another 100 ways to say drunkard.
Liamkeyes | Feb 13, 2011, 09:34 AM EST
Tipp O'Neill's dad was a Cork Man, his mother was from Donegal...one end of the country to the other.
cailinrua | Feb 07, 2011, 05:00 PM EST
I'm an American of Irish descent on my mom's side. She was a Feeney (not listed) I grew up in Brooklyn, in a neighborhood that had a lot of Irish Americans. In the 80's, I was great friends with many Irish-born emigrants who came to NY in search of work. How come the only Disney I've ever heard of is Walt?
debimcguin | Feb 07, 2011, 03:09 PM EST
My mothers name is FRENCH from Frenchpark. Fathers name was McGUIN, I know from the NORTH, but not sure what county. My great great grandmother was HARRIGAN. Could not find any of these surnames.....?????
faithandwar | Jan 15, 2011, 06:23 AM EST
Im a CARROLL thru and thru i see no Carroll's on the list
GeorgeDillon | Jan 06, 2011, 06:57 AM EST
Newrosslaird: Maybe it was a typo on your part, but Crosbie's flight was in 1785. In fact the Irish issued a stamp in 1985 to commemorate it, if I'm not mistaken.
lparsons | Dec 15, 2010, 04:02 PM EST
What ever happened to the Donegans or O'Donegans?
ellenred | Dec 14, 2010, 11:28 PM EST
I'm a Connolly by birth--- wish it had been on the list--
Liamkeyes | Nov 26, 2010, 11:14 AM EST
There was a Captain Myles Keough from Co. Wexford who died in action at the battle of the Little Big Horn under the command of General Custer. The Song Garryowen was adopted by General Custer in honor of all the Irishmen under his command. The Name, Kehoe, Keough remains numerous in Co. Wexford.
IrishJets47 | Nov 03, 2010, 07:37 PM EDT
My GrandMother Mulrain Maiden name is in here Healy too bad they took the O' out of Healy what a pitty.
IrishJets47 | Nov 03, 2010, 07:25 PM EDT
No Mulrain's
tpmurray | Oct 24, 2010, 05:16 PM EDT
How can the name "MURRAY" not be one of the top 100?
guitarpeg | Oct 23, 2010, 06:03 PM EDT
Wow! No O'Neil, or O'Neill??? My maiden name. Found Dolan, my married name. Ui Niall...one of the greatest clans of Ireland.
ORourkes | Oct 23, 2010, 05:46 PM EDT
Naturally I would liked to see O' Rourke included....but still very interesting article!
Newrosslaird | Oct 03, 2010, 10:12 PM EDT
My Sir Name is Crosby Was Crosbie in Eire. My Relative Richard Crosbie flew over Dublin in 1755 in a Balloon. My Grand Father and My Father Were Richard Crosbie. They came from Horetown, Wexford. I lived in Taghmon, Wexford as a child. My Crest has the Red Hands of O'Niel and Lion Rampant (Dexter)
CatieDid | Sep 29, 2010, 09:07 AM EDT
Interesting article, but what about names like "Ryan", "Carmody" and "McHugh" just to name a few! Would like to see them added to your list! Thanks....
woodmontwoman | Sep 27, 2010, 01:36 PM EDT
As with all things on the internet, I take what I find with a grain of salt. I gave my daughter my great-grandmother's surname asa first name--D'Arcy--and found a version of it on the list, and also the Floods are in my family(albeit distantly), but my grandparents were Maher (sometimes found as Meagher) and Farley (I believe originally O'Farrelly). At least I sometimes find these in the catalogs I keep getting! All in good fun--perhaps they will do an amended list? There ARE a lot of us!
OTgalkate | Sep 26, 2010, 12:00 PM EDT
I found this article very interesting....I found a variation of my family name McGrath. Also interested in Kirwan
bronxjames | Sep 26, 2010, 09:13 AM EDT
What no Crowleys????????????
SisterKate | Sep 25, 2010, 11:43 PM EDT
oooops just reread my own note. I am NOT disappointed re name on ancient gates of Galway. THE O'FLAITBHEARTAIGH NAME IS THERE -- With a warning: from the fierce O'Flahertys O Lord deliver us! I see your list is a work in progress. I should be, AND AM, grateful you are doing this work. Thank you. It is so interesting!
SisterKate | Sep 25, 2010, 11:34 PM EDT
Why no O'Flaherty / Lafferty / Laverty? Disappointed not to see my name, carved on the ancient gates of Galway. Though I bear the anglicized Laverty version my father never tired of telling us the meaning of our name: Prosperous or resourceful prince. Perhaps even generous, hopefully!?
GeorgeDillon | Sep 22, 2010, 03:13 PM EDT
How about mBongo? Ireland is full of Africans.
GeorgeDillon | Sep 22, 2010, 03:12 PM EDT
Searlit: Keogh --"the name is taken from the Irish word eoch which means horse". SO Keogh means Son of a Horse? That sounds like Horse Manure to me.
Searlit | Sep 20, 2010, 11:26 AM EDT
SingleDonald, Do you know about Myles Keogh? It's interesting.
KateKirby | Sep 20, 2010, 08:37 AM EDT
Interesting, very intering; but where are my Kirbys and Foleys.
killowen | Sep 19, 2010, 06:49 PM EDT
Negative English attitudes towards Irish culture and habits date as far back as the reign of Henry II and the Norman conquest of Ireland. In 1155 the Papacy purportedly issued the papal bull Laudabiliter which granted Henry II's request to subdue Ireland and the Irish Church: (we) do hereby declare our will and pleasure, that, for the purpose of enlarging the borders of the Church, setting bounds to the progress of wickedness, reforming evil manners, planting virtue, and increasing the Christian religion An early example is the chronicler Gerald of Wales, who visited the island in the company of Prince John. As a result of this he wrote Topographia Hibernia ("Topography of Ireland") and Expugnatio Hibernia ("Conquest of Ireland"), both of which remained in circulation for centuries afterwards. Ireland, in his view, was rich;
SingleDonald | Sep 19, 2010, 04:09 PM EDT
Thanks, Searlit! I was also told that "Kehoe" and "Keough" were essentially the same name. I recall a major league ball player named Marty Keough, when I was a kid. Donald
mkjudge | Sep 18, 2010, 06:13 PM EDT
This was very interesting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Searlit | Sep 18, 2010, 05:58 PM EDT
SingleDonald: Kehoe is an anglicised version of the Irish Mac hEochaidh, My Irish Family Names book says the name is taken from the Irish word eoch which means horse. The name is on the map I mentioned before, still in another anglican variant Mackeogh. Didn't read anything about the battle cry.
SingleDonald | Sep 18, 2010, 03:01 PM EDT
I enjoyed this review! What about the Irish surname Kehoe? I was told a while back that it came from a battle cry, back in the old Celtic Days. Something like KEE-HO was shouted out, calling all the warriors to battle. Can anyone verify if this is true?
Searlit | Sep 18, 2010, 01:53 PM EDT
I bought an ancestral map a few years ago, at an Irish import shop which listed all the Irish names, where they were from, and who their first known ancestor in Ireland was. On the bottom there's an address/ Kane Strategic Marketing,Inc. Harbor Springs, Michigan 49740. Hope that helps those whose names weren't among the most common in Ireland. O'Carey, O'Connell, O'Carroll, O'Doran O'Downey, O'Murray,O'Ryan, Fleming,O'Foley, Hayes, Lynch, Magrath, Maguire, McGlynn, McGowan, Quinn, Quirk, Roche. They're all on this map.
Bridgbldr | Sep 18, 2010, 11:47 AM EDT
Very interesting but my family names - O'Connell & Carroll - were not listed despite being very well known. I was very surprised since I understand that one forebearer, Daniel O'Connell, was not only a great orator but very prolific as well. The Carrolls were, and still are, very prominent in Ireland and America. These are old names in Ireland so what's up wi' ye, Bryan Fitzgerald? :o)
ggqueen | Sep 18, 2010, 11:16 AM EDT
I DID NOT SEE THE NAME DOWNEY FROM CORK.MY GRAND MOTHERS NAME WAS FLEMING.I HAVE SEEN THE NAME FITZ GREALD SPELLED WITH A SPACE.
LisaLee | Sep 18, 2010, 08:41 AM EDT
I was born a Ryan married and divorced a McGowan and am currently married to a Lynch yet saw none of those names on your list....weird.
katangel759 | Sep 18, 2010, 08:07 AM EDT
Well done on the top Irish surnames. Do you have anything on Roche (Co. Kerry) or Bergin (Co. Offaly)?
wasqazz | Sep 17, 2010, 10:27 PM EDT
i was hoping to find my familys name.. Quirk oh well
LMHayes | Sep 17, 2010, 10:26 PM EDT
It is quite beautiful and obviously a lot of research went into this..I was a bit disappointed my name didn't appear, I always wanted to know where "Hayes" came from, and since my great grand-father was Irish, I had hoped I would find that name on the list...Lucky to those who found their name and origins...:)
killowen | Sep 17, 2010, 05:33 PM EDT
angelfire.com /ny/border/ symbols.html Commonwealthers and UK's diaspora flourises on backs of Celts Irish attempts at notice for their cause needs an alternate approach like that outlined in included URL.
Emeraldeyes49 | Sep 17, 2010, 04:08 PM EDT
Sad to not see McGuire of County Fermannaugh!
countycork | Sep 17, 2010, 03:56 PM EDT
Well...I'm wondering where Lynch falls....?
Frednuni | Sep 17, 2010, 02:56 PM EDT
Very nice,but I can't find McGrath,Doran,Pender
dessieglynn | Sep 17, 2010, 02:44 PM EDT
i'M HAPPY TO NOTE THAT THE NAME gLYNN DOES NOT APPEAR IN YOUE LIST. pRESUMABLY WE ARE TOO EXCLUSIVE TO BE PART OF THE COMMON IRISH NAMES.
manhattan | Sep 17, 2010, 01:40 PM EDT
George Dillon, You never know I could be related to Whitney there were a lot of frisky Irishmen down south. I hope it's the millionaire Whitney's from New York, maybe an ancestor was a servant of the the Whitneys because they were poor as churchmice in Longford. Boo Hoo.
irishwxman | Sep 17, 2010, 12:17 PM EDT
Yeah, I am noticing a lot of Irish names missing from this list. Not too sure I would trust this article. This is a bit dodgy.
shenanigans.tri | Sep 17, 2010, 12:14 PM EDT
What about the last name "Carey"?? Surely this last name would be popular! Can anyone help?? This last name is the anglicised version of the gaelic O'Ciardha meaning "Descendant of Ciardha. This is a personal name derived from "ciar" meaning "dark or black". It also occurs as "O Keary. Carey can be found frequently in Co. Cork, Kerry and Tipperary. The motto for Carey is "Sine Macula". I really think Carey should be somewhere in the top 100 for sure. Somebody needs to do their homework. haha!
sandymountgirl | Sep 17, 2010, 12:11 PM EDT
Hey, where are the Murray's? I know that they originated in Scotland but my great-grandfather was from Ireland, which makes me Irish and there are alot of Murrays in Ireland.
Ajreaper | Sep 17, 2010, 11:56 AM EDT
Well it is assured if you make a list, any list, from 1 to whatever number you'd like to choose they'll be folks feeling slighted. Interesting article none the less.
ShamrockMiss | Sep 17, 2010, 11:36 AM EDT
S7McCabe - Some of my family were McCabe and originally from Counties Leitrim and Cavan. There are lots of McCabes there. By gallowglass he means they were a family of mercenaries for the O'Rourke and O'Reilly kings. Hey,no Mooneys? Niall, you did a top 10 list a while back with the Mooneys on it, but we don't make the top 100? Sheesh.
solomon | Sep 17, 2010, 11:35 AM EDT
re SALMON: Braden is a name popular in the United States and Canada in recent years. It is derived from the Irish surname Ó Bradáin, meaning descendant of Bradán. Bradán is derived from a Gaelic word meaning "salmon."The bradán feasa is the Salmon of Wisdom in an Irish legend about Fionn MacCool.
carolcolligan | Sep 17, 2010, 11:29 AM EDT
This was a fascinating article. I keep wishing that Colligan would pop up in some listing of names but, since most of my friends have Irish names, too, I was very glad to read about their varied origins.
peterquinn | Sep 17, 2010, 11:18 AM EDT
Hey, where are the Quinns?
S7McCabe | Sep 17, 2010, 11:11 AM EDT
I'm not sure. I am a McCabe and a McNally. It doesn't seem to be very Irish from this. You shot my day down. Dog gone it and for 69 years, I thought I was really Irish and I can't understand the explaination you give for McCabe, my Father's surname. I thought I was second generation as my family came here from Ireland. Grandparents said they came from County Monaghan. I feel soooo bad. My birthday is on St. Patrick's Day and this year I'll not spray my white hair green and my hair started going white when I was 16 so I've had green hair for many years but not this year. I'm an orphan. I feel betrayed. Maybe I'm from Prussia or Alsace Lorraine. I'd hate that. I'm in a Country without a cause. Or something! Signed: A woman without a background. Snif.
Paulinebyrne | Sep 17, 2010, 11:04 AM EDT
I dont get how you rate the sur names. In your previous list you noted Byrne@ #6 On this list it does not appear? How did the name go from being in the top 10 to not appearing at all?
fredsalmon | Sep 17, 2010, 10:40 AM EDT
Another bummer! Salmon never makes the list. How abut doing the fifty hardly ever seen Irish names, which are still VERY important, chief among them SALMON. Interesting nonetheless.
GeorgeDillon | Sep 17, 2010, 10:38 AM EDT
manhattan: "my Great Grandmother in County Longford was a Whitney" --- Any relation of Whitney Houston?
GeorgeDillon | Sep 17, 2010, 10:36 AM EDT
Yerac" How about Smith and Jones--bet those two would rank up there" Well, you'd lose your bet.
solomon | Sep 17, 2010, 10:34 AM EDT
re Aherne: my wife's maiden name is O'Hearn. They were from Co. Limerick @ 1860. My great-grandmother was Aherne from south Co. Tipperary.
aomiller | Sep 17, 2010, 10:33 AM EDT
Your list is woefully deficient. None of my name -- Anthony O'Neill Miller -- appears in it. I KNOW my ancestors came from Ireland last century, as I'm an Irish CITIZEN because of it. The Millers are all over Europe, so I claim no particular Irish uniqueness for the last name. But the O'NEILLS -- Jayzus, but our family DOMINATED Ireland as High Kings for centuries. Ulster was our back yard. Hugh O'Neill (disgracefully) led the "Flight of the Earls" in 1607, ending Gaelic-Irish rule on The Misty Isle. Yet neither my last- nor my middle name appears in your list. As a lifetime newsman, I'm embarrassed by the shoddiness of your omissions.
Yerffac | Sep 17, 2010, 10:30 AM EDT
How about Smith and Jones--bet those two would rank up there.
literalgirl | Sep 17, 2010, 10:30 AM EDT
Paul - O'Byrne is mentioned: O’Brien Ó Briain A Dalcassian sept, deriving its name from historical importance from the family of King Brian Boru. Now very numerous in other provinces as well as Munster, being the fifth most numerous name in Ireland. In some cases O’Brien has been made a synonym of O’Byrne and others of the Norman Bryan.
Goosey68 | Sep 17, 2010, 10:14 AM EDT
Also Dunne is missing or O'Duinn in gaelic.
PaulBurns20 | Sep 17, 2010, 10:02 AM EDT
About as accurate as the list of top ten historical sites. How could they miss Byrne or O'Byrne?
mrmcfun | Sep 17, 2010, 09:41 AM EDT
McGinley is another name I thought for sure to make this list. As with the others, any research on this would also be appreciated. I am in the states and it is very common here.
manhattan | Sep 17, 2010, 09:41 AM EDT
All my family names are on here. But one name has me stumped, my Great Grandmother in County Longford was a Whitney. Any one know where that name originated from? Thanks for all this great information.
wjb1tex | Sep 17, 2010, 09:40 AM EDT
Seems to be a lot of names that should be here are not. O'Keefe in my family.
shenanigans.tri | Sep 17, 2010, 09:20 AM EDT
What about the last name "Carey"?? Surely this last name would be popular! Can anyone help?? Any information would be great! Thanks!
pappaoscar | Sep 17, 2010, 09:18 AM EDT
Glad to see that the "Healy" family name from my paternal grandmother made the list.
golfermike70 | Sep 17, 2010, 09:16 AM EDT
How is it that FOLEY didn't make the list?
Irishlassred | Sep 17, 2010, 09:03 AM EDT
Oh yeah! My maiden name is included. But of all the research I've done, I've never known any family members to have come from County Cavan. Hummm, more research to do~
porkheaven | Sep 17, 2010, 08:58 AM EDT
My last name is Harris. Not to popular? We came from County Kerry. Any help would be greatly appreciated.