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What does your Irish family name mean? Here are top 100 clans!

Published Sunday, November 6, 2011, 9:10 AM

Updated Friday, April 6, 2012, 12:21 PM

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Coats of arms representing Irish clans

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

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6 Comments

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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

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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!

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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?

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