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The 10 most popular Irish last names

Click links after each family to see complete clan story and photos

ANTOINETTE KELLY,

IrishCentral.com, Staff Writer

Published Thursday, July 8, 2010, 7:01 AM

Updated Thursday, July 8, 2010, 11:56 AM

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Coats of arms representing Irish clans

READ THE WHOLE STORY OF THE BYRNE CLAN! CLICK HERE

7. Ryan – the little kings

The meaning of the Irish name Ryan comes from the old Gaelic word "righ" and the old Irish diminutive of "an," which together form the meaning of "little king."

The name Ryan comes from the Irish name O' Riain - a contraction of the older Irish form O'Mulriain, which is now virtually extinct.

Ryan is also an extremely popular first name, especially in Britain and the U.S.

The Ryan family motto is 'Malo More Quam Foedari', which, when translated, means 'I would Rather Die than be Disgraced'. And they call them “little” kings…

READ THE WHOLE STORY OF THE RYAN CLAN! CLICK HERE

8. O'Connor – patrons of warriors

They might not be warriors themselves, but at least O’Connors descend from them!

The O'Connor name, with its varied spellings, doesn't spring from a common source. The name arose in five areas of Ireland: Connacht, Kerry, Derry, Offaly and Clare and split into six distinct septs.

The most prominent sept is that of the Connacht O'Connors who gave us the last two High-Kings of Ireland: Turlough O'Connor (1088-1156) and Roderick O'Connor (1116-1198). They trace their heritage and name from the Irish "Ua Conchobhair," meaning from Conchobhar, a king of Connacht.

READ THE WHOLE STORY OF THE O'CONNOR CLAN! CLICK HERE

9. O'Neill – from a champion, Niall of the Nine Hostages

The O'Neill family traces its history back to 360 A.D. to the legendary warrior king of Ireland, Niall of the Nine Hostages, who is said to have been responsible for bringing St. Patrick to Ireland.

Niall is also said to have been incredibly fertile – he has 3 million descendents worldwide.

“O’Neill” is derived from two separate Gaelic words, "Ua Niall," which means grandson of Niall, and "Neill" meaning "champion."

Ireland’s O'Neills were known by the nickname "Creagh," which comes from the Gaelic word "craobh" meaning branch, because they were known to camouflage themselves to resemble the forest when fighting the Norsemen. Crafty fellows, those O’Neills.

READ THE WHOLE STORY OF THE O'NEILL CLAN! CLICK HERE

10. O'Reilly - ?

The O'Reillys round out the top 10 most popular names in Ireland.

Their family name is derived from the Gaelic "O'Raghailligh," meaning descendants of Raghaillach.

The O'Reillys were the most powerful sept of the old Gaelic kingdom of Breffny (Cavan and the surrounding counties), and the family is still prominent in the area.

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32 Comments

15 - 32 | See all comments

kelley | Mar 22, 2013, 05:18 PM EDT

Hey Stevenstar you sound like a real jerk. I have traveled to Ireland several times...always met with warm reception and very nice folks. You need to sober up.

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STEVENSTAR | Mar 13, 2013, 11:44 AM EDT

@@Liamkeyes | Mar 16, 2011, 10:50 AM EDT If your name is Murphy, Automatically they call you "Spud". White, they call you "Chalky" and Clark(e), they call you "Nobby". Don't ask me why. It's what it is jus like O'Connor is "Okie" Sullivan is 'Sully" Fitzpatrick, Fitzgerald, Fitzsimmons etc., it's "Fitzy" and so it goes. >>>>>>>>.HAHA ARE YOU FOR REAL DEAR ? IF THATS WHAT YOU THINK .. YOU SHOULD BE OVER HERE IN IRELAND AND HEAR WHAT MOST OF US THINK ABOUT THIS .. MOST IRISH CITIZENS THINK AMERICANS ARE 'BARKING MAD' THEY WAY THEY OBSESS ABOUT IRELAND AND US IRISH .. PERSONALLY IT SCARES ME ...

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STEVENSTAR | Mar 13, 2013, 11:42 AM EDT

'Irish and Irish-Americans alike' IRISH CITIZENS LIKE MYSELF WHO LIVES IN IRELAND ARE CULTURALLY POLES APART FROM AMERICANS BORN IN AMERICA WHO WOULD HAVE AN IRIHS RELATIVE... THERE IS NO COMPARISONS... Please stop calling your self Irish as people over here in Europe are only laughing at you :)

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Eireannach | Mar 06, 2013, 02:10 PM EST

A lot of 'Irish Americans' are in fact 'Scots-Irish'. However few realise it. If your name is Scottish or pre-fixed by Mc/Mac then your most likely of Scottish ancestry. If you are presbyterian or baptist, and have red hair and freckles - you're probably a Scot. If you're from 'the south' (US) - very likely! But Scotland is a beautiful country too - mountains, glens and isles. on the flipside however - heavy drinking and violence (see stats for glasgow) are real problem areas for scots.

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oldirishlady | Nov 01, 2012, 02:19 PM EDT

I am sad that my maiden name Brice isn't here, and also my grandmothers maiden name, Nata Cathrine Conroy, I've been trying to find out about my Grandma's first name (Nata), as I have never heard it anywhere since....

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Siobain | Sep 30, 2012, 05:51 PM EDT

The Scotts use Clan, The Irish use Clann.

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Redneck56 | Sep 12, 2012, 06:37 PM EDT

O'Mahoney and Mahoney are as common in southern Ireland as Smith is here in the U.S.

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Murragh | Aug 12, 2012, 09:01 PM EDT

Not sure of the basis of this 100 but O'Mahony, McCarthy and O'Driscoll could be considered.All Irish names are TOP

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casualMBA | May 26, 2012, 08:48 AM EDT

I thought Spain was a popular Irish name, no?

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GeorgeDillon | May 24, 2012, 03:54 PM EDT

Petford: You should direct these queries to the poster ciaradexy. She's an expert.

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petford | Mar 18, 2012, 07:17 AM EDT

My husbands Great Grandfather was Michael Lenihan who was born Kerry, Ireland, approx. 1864. Michael's parents were Michael and Catherine (nee Kosane- Maybe spelt differently). They travelled to NZ on the ship Earl of Granville from Plymouth 1879. Can someone please tell me more about this Family. I am also wondering if there is O'neill in the family tree as Michael's secong name was O'neill. Thanks Bev

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petford | Mar 18, 2012, 07:03 AM EDT

My Grandfather was Henry Joseph Christian born in Dublin. Mother was Lucy (Nee Murray) Christian. Father John Albert Christian of 51 High Street. Present at the birth of Joseph at 1 Johns Lane on 2nd June 1886 was Mary J Murray. If anyone could shed some light on this family or relatives that may be still living in Ireland I would be greatful Thanks Bev

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OLarkin75 | Mar 17, 2011, 10:07 PM EDT

My Great Grandfather, Patrick Larkin immigrated to the U. S. during the potato famine. He was from County Galway. Several of my family, especially my sister, daugher and I, want to visit Ireland some day.

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Liamkeyes | Mar 16, 2011, 10:50 AM EDT

If your name is Murphy, Automatically they call you "Spud". White, they call you "Chalky" and Clark(e), they call you "Nobby". Don't ask me why. It's what it is jus like O'Connor is "Okie" Sullivan is 'Sully" Fitzpatrick, Fitzgerald, Fitzsimmons etc., it's "Fitzy" and so it goes.

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CrimGillespie | Mar 13, 2011, 07:07 PM EDT

I was told that my Great Grandfather came to America from Ireland with the last name Krime and once in America changed it to Crim to help him escape arrest. Anyone have any thought on these names? There is supposed to be a family crest, however without much information (and what I have is all word of mouth) I am almost at a loss.

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