These are the Top 100 Irish surnames as compiled by the website http://www.ireland-information.com, based on census records. Enjoy, and hope you find your family!
1. Murphy ó Murchadhasea battler
2. Kelly ó Ceallaigh bright-headed
3. O'Sullivan ó Súilleabháin dark-eyed
4. Walsh Breathnach Welshman
5. Smith Mac Gabhann son of the smith
6. O'Brien ó Briain high, noble
7. Byrne ó Broin a raven
8. Ryan ó Maoilriain king
9. O'Connor ó Conchobhair patron of warriors
10. O'Neill ó Néill from Niall of the Nine Hostages
12. Doyle ó Dubhghaill dark foreigner
13. McCarthy Mac Carthaigh loving person
14. Gallagher ó Gallchobhair lover of foreigners
15. O'Doherty ó Dochartaigh hurtful
16. Kennedy ó Cinnéide
17. Lynch ó Loinsigh seafarer, exile
18. Murray ó Muireadhaigh lord, master
19. Quinn ó Cuinn wisdom, chief
20. Moore ó Mordha majestic
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21. McLoughlin Mac Lochlainn viking
22. O'Carroll ó Cearbhaill valorous in battle
23. Connolly ó Conghaile fierce as a hound
24. Daly ó Dálaighassembles frequently
25 O'Connell ó Conaill strong as a wolf
26 Wilson Mac Liam son of William
27 Dunne ó Duinn brown
28 Brennan ó Braonáin sorrow
29 Burke de Búrca from Richard de Burgh
30 Collins ó Coileáin young warrior
31 Campbell crooked mouth
32 Clarke óCléirigh clergyman
33 Johnston Mac Seáin son of John
34 Hughes ó hAodha fire
35 O'Farrell ó Fearghail man of valour
36 Fitzgerald Mac Gearailt spear rule
37 Brown Mac an Bhreithiún son of the brehon (judge)
38 Martin Mac Giolla Mháirtín devotee of Saint Martin
39 Maguire Mag Uidhir dun-coloured
40 Nolan ó Nualláin famous
41 Flynn ó Floinn bright red
42 Thompson Mac Tomáis son of Thom
43 O'Callaghan ó Ceallacháin bright headed
44 O'Donnell ó Domhnaill world-mighty
45 Duffy ó Dufaigh dark, black
46 O'Mahony ó Mathúna bear-calf
47 Boyle ó Baoill vain pledge
48 Healy ó hÉalaighthe artistic, scientific
49 O'Shea ó Séaghdha fine, stately
50 White Mac Giolla Bháin of fair complexion
51 Sweeney Mac Suibhne pleasant
52 Hayes ó hAodha fire
53 Kavanagh Caomhánach comely, mild
54 Power de Paor the poor man
55 McGrath Mac Craith son of grace
56 Moran ó Móráin great
57 Brady Mac Brádaigh spirited
58 Stewart Stiobhard one who superintends
59 Casey ó Cathasaigh vigilant in war, watchful
60 Foley ó Foghladh a plunderer
61 Fitzpatrick Mac Giolla Phádraig devotee of Saint Patrick
62 O'Leary ó Laoghaire calf-herd
63 McDonnell Mac Domhnaill world-mighty
64 MacMahon Mac Mathúna bear-calf
65 Donnelly ó Donnghaile brown valour
66 Regan ó Riagáin little king
67 Donovan ó Donnabháin brown, black
68 Burns from Scottish Burness
69 Flanagan ó Flannagáin red, ruddy
70 Mullan ó Maoláin bald
71 Barry de Barra Cambro-Norman name
72 Kane ó Catháin battler
73 Robinson son of Robert
74 Cunningham Scottish name
75 Griffin ó Gríofa Welsh: Gruffudd
76 Kenny ó Cionaoith fire sprung
77 Sheehan O'Siodhachain peaceful
78 Ward Mac an Bhaird son of the bard
79 Whelan ó Faoláin wolf
80 Lyons ó Laighin grey
81 Reid red haired ruddy complexion
82 Graham grey home
83 Higgins ó hUiginn
84 Cullen ó Cuilinn holly
85 Keane Mac Catháin
86 King ó Cionga
87 Maher Meagher fine, majestic
88 MacKenna Mac Cionaoith fire-sprung
89 Bell Mac Giolla Mhaoil
90 Scott a Scottish gael
91 Hogan ó hÓgáin young
92 O'Keeffe ó Caoimh gentle
93 Magee Mag Aoidh fire
94 MacNamara Mac Conmara hound of the sea
95 MacDonald Mac Dónaill world-mighty
96 MacDermott Mac Diarmada free from jealousy
97 Molony ó Maolomhnaigh servant of the Church
98 O'Rourke ó Ruairc
99 Buckley ó Buachalla cow herd
100 O'Dwyer ó Dubhuir black
6 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.lindabranley | Apr 01, 2013, 12:44 PM EDT
can anyone help me find what clan i belong to please, my surname is branley but there is also kerrigan, rice and farmer along the lines.
LittleMac | Oct 13, 2012, 02:58 PM EDT
Actually, a few days ago I was told to look up the history of the Isle of Lewis. Apparently, people from Ireland, Scotland, even Vikings escaped to this Island, people who wanted to escape the wars. My last name is McCauley and I was told that it was actually spelled differently long ago and the possibility is that it might not even be Irish. Haven't had a chance to look it up. Any info on this last name? Glad I found this site.
Tooreenagrena | Apr 07, 2012, 08:38 PM EDT
Harrington is always ignored. Must be because the anglisied name sounds too English. Dan Harrington (O'hlongardail)
stmungo | Nov 06, 2011, 11:58 PM EST
It is hard to believe that a name like Heggarty is not in the top 100. You have included scottish names instead of other irish names
christilcaugh | Nov 06, 2011, 03:40 PM EST
Sure wish I could find more about our family the Caughey's! We know a bit but have been searching for so long to connect in Ireland!! We know we're Catholic in origin, but other than our ancestors landing in Canada during the late 1800s we aren't sure of much! This is still interesting though!
fuiseog | Nov 06, 2011, 10:55 AM EST
My name is ÓBraonáin. I know that the root word is Bran; old Irish for Raven, the totem of our clann. The root for sorrow; is Brón. I never heard of this derivitive. Maybe we need to check the scholarship of the authors?