Top 100 Irish last names explained

Iam soo excited I just found my grandmothers maiden name. I'm finally finding out alittle about my irish ancestry that I'm so proud of.awesome!

What about Carey?? The O'Kearys, in Irish O Ciardha, who in later times always used the anglicized form Carey, belonged to the southern Ui Neill and were lords of Carbury (Co. Kildare) until dispersed by the invasion of the Anglo-Normans. Carey, however, has also been used as the anglicized form of several other Gaelic patronymics. Besides the now almost extinct surname MacFhiachra formerly both of Tyrone and Galway, Carey id found as a synonym of Kerin I.e. O Ceinin in Mayo and O Ciarain in Co. Cork. It is also used as the English form of MacGiolla Ceire which is sometimes further corrupted to Carr I Co. Galway. Carr, however, when not of English origin, more often represents O Carra (Co. Galway) and Mac Giolla Chathair (Co. Donegal). The name Carey, arising from these different origins, is now numerous and widespread: it is found more in the Munster counties of Cork, Kerry and Tipperary than elsewhere. The three brothers John Carey (1756-1826), classical scholar and inventor of the shipwreck rocket, William Carey (1759-1839), and Matthew Carey (1760-1839), authors of note, were all born in Dublin.

just wondering how I would find out where the name Lawlor comes from

Ummmm, Clancy, isn't every other bar named after Clancy. You know Clancy lowered the boom. Hello!

What happened to Doyle? When I was last in Ireland,I found many, many Irieh with that last name.... Have people stopped admitting they are named Doyle?

what happen to murrey? my cousins in ireland that is thier last name.

So, what happened to Foley? This is a very common name in Ireland and missing from this list!

It makes sense that Sheehan, derived from the ancient Irish word sioda which meant, eye of the storm, in the 14th century, could mean peaceful. The original bearer of the name Sioda was a MacNamara, who started the Sheedy clan.

I was wondering where the name MALONE is. I would think it is a quite popular surname.

I gather Ulster Scots names did not make the cut as they are only "common" in Ulster? How about a list of least common surnames in Ireland. No doubt Babington would be on this short list.

The comment by George Dillon is HILARIOUS!

I was surprised to find the the name of "Cullen" was missing from the list. My research has shown that Cullen is a common in Ireland as Smith and Jones are in the US.

My father was born in Ireland --FAmily name WEIR. Cannot find any reference.

What about mBongo? Chen-Li? Jazcylevski? Patel? Singh? They're fast becoming the most common names in Ireland.