Scroll down to discover the origins of 12 Irish surnames Police revisit scene one week on from 'cowardly' attempt to murder off-duty officer, Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn gives thumbs up to Irish club's Palestine jersey, Irishman one of four people charged in Britain with people-smuggling offences, Family's joy as date revealed for introduction of 'lifesaving' Dith's Law, Two more arrested by police investigating attempted murder of off-duty officer, Taoiseach urges Northern Irish parties to give new Windsor Framework their full support, Rehearsals underway in Dublin as Martin McDonaghs Hangmen gets Irish premiere, New Brexit deal prompts calls for DUP to 'end blockade and restore Northern Ireland Executive. For those of you keen to dig a little deeper into your roots, we suggest you check out ancestry.com! Over the centuries, Ireland has seen much change, with invasion by the Anglo-Normans in the 12th century, followed by British colonisation in the 16th/17th century moments which significantly shaped our history. Ireland Before You Die is supported by its audience. Baseball The Martin surname, common in both England and Ireland, can be found primarily in Galway, Tyrone, and Westmeath. COPYRIGHT 2023. Aslanov. Male Female. Some may even say Murphy is the most Irish name ever, as it's currently the most common surname in the country. The Brennan surname in Ireland is now mostly found in County Sligo and the province of Leinster. Running It means"little lake". Muckanaghederdauhaulia: Co. Galway. The Thomson surname, without the "p," is Scottish. Ireland Before You Die is the biggest Irish travel and culture website. These include Gaelic Irish, Cambro-Norman, and Anglo-Irish last names. 29-3-2017, retrieved from ancestry.com. Simple Party Themes The Top 10 Most . The O or preceding a second name means the grandson of or descendant of and is a common feat in Irish surnames. hound of desire. 29-3-2017, retrieved from houseofnames.com. E. Emily Goss. There is also a Step somewhere in Ireland but don't ask me where, it's impossible to Google. So - how Amery : The Normans introduced this last name in England, and although never popular, it survived until the end of Average Age. If you don't have a name well that's a different article. Copyright 2019 - 2023 Ireland Before You Die | Trading under, Top 12 Most Stereotypical Irish Surnames EVER, 5 Amazing Things To Do In Ireland AFTER you die, 8 Adventure Activities You Need To Try In Ireland, Hell never get older Father Ted star Dermot Morgans son on 25, Three Belfast men set sights on rowing world records, Ireland ranked one of the safest countries in Europe, Irish Celtic FEMALE NAMES: the 20 best, with meanings, New true-crime documentary exposes the many lies and lives of GPO girl, Country Clare hotel voted one of the most romantic in the world. Ajax : This very strange surname seems to have arrived in Wales in the late seventeenth century. Irish last names can be widespread in one area and nearly non-existent in another. Notable Flanagans include actor Tommy Flanagan and actress Crista Flanagan. For centuries, even though the Norman invasion of the English, Irish last names were defined by clans and septs (smaller groups within clans). Anthonyson : Means"Son of Anthony". Powell, Kimberly. New book explores strange surnames like Halfenaked. Soccer Fitness Dubhthaigh, anglicized to Duffy, comes from an Irish name meaning black or swarthy. Walking Mary Robinson, the former president of Ireland, is one of the most well-known Irish Robinsons. Nolan Hee, hee. I have it all. If you want to use Facebook Comments, you can leave them here. Each year, over 10 Million people come from all over the world to experience Irelands beautiful scenery and unique culture. The Irish names were mistakenly associated with the word cosn path and were then re-associated with surnames such as Patterson and Pattison, which bear no relationship whatsoever to the Irish name. One of the most famous people with the surname Quinn is actor Aidan Quinn. Alright everybody, I wanna list of names and I want it now! Irish TV personality Louis Walsh, singer and Girls Aloud member Kimberley Walsh, and American actress Kate Walsh are three famous people with the surname Walsh. Find out Here! I am a. Telegraph reporters. In Latin, it was often represented as de campo bello, or of the beautiful field, which sometimes led to the name being translated into Anglo-Norman French as Beauchamp. The Irish usually have very distinctive surnames. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Irish surnames. Count DanielOMahonywas a general in the Irish Brigade and is one of the most famous people with the surname OMahoney. View All Result . This is evidenced in some early bearers from the 16th century onwards. Notable Cunninghams include American professional basketball player Dante Cunningham and football quarterback Randall Cunningham. Racing Some of the most common Irish last names are Murphy ( Murchadha in Gaelic), Kelly ( Ceallaigh in Gaelic), OSullivan ( Silleabhin in Gaelic), and Walsh (Breathnach in Gaelic). (2012-2016). One of the "Tribes of Galway", also anglicized as Dorsey, it is the name of two septs, one inMayoandGalway, the other inCo Wexford. While that may sometimes be true, there are also many Irish last names that people don't readily realize are Irish. Famous people with the surname Connolly include comedian Billy Connolly and musician Brian Connolly. Cunningham, comes from the nickname Mac Cuinneagin, or son of the little leader/chief. Step into a world of glamour at Dublin's most stylish townhouse, Number 31. Campbell originated as a nickname from the Gaelic caimbeul, literally meaning crooked mouth. Bowling, Name Ideas Tobin has a strong association with Ireland, and is a form of Irish Tibn, a gaelicized form of the Norman French surname Saint Aubin, from Saint Aubin in Brittany. Learn more. The Carroll surname(and variants such as O'Carroll) can be found throughout Ireland, including Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Kerry, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan, and Offaly. Numerically, with some twenty thousand name holders, it is also one of the most popular, being twelfth in the table of numerical strength of Irish surnames. And it's no, nay, never. No nay never no more! Famous Flynns include actors Errol Flynn and Brandon Flynn. Murphy 2. Copyright 2023 Irish Studio LLC All rights reserved. Ancestry Editors. - For fictional Irish Surname content Rytr is perfect for making up original AI Irish Surname material using GPT-3. However, the "F" is no longer pronounced and the name is now Loinn or Lynn. Originally an Irish clan from Galway, the Connolly families settled in Cork, Meath, and Monaghan. British actress and screenwriter Emer Kenny is one of the most well-known Kennys. Kelly 3. The name Disney occurs frequently in the records of many Irish counties in the south and midlands starting in the first half of the seventeenth century. Copyright 2019 - 2023 Ireland Before You Die | Trading under, TOP 100 Irish surnames / last names (info & facts). Brown is a popular last name with a good record of higher education background. "We have paid particular attention, wherever possible, to linking family names to locations. The Central Statistics Office regularly records Walsh as one of the most common surnames in Ireland. We respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously, How to plan a trip to Ireland (in 9 steps), Irish boy names that nobody can pronounce. The most common of all Irish names, the Murphy surname can be found in all four provinces. Join For Free Now!! Dunne 28. Ryan is a popular surname in County Tipperary. It is a surname that is found in Sweden and very rarely in Great Britain. Daft : It is a surname of the medieval times that means, gentle, meek. Sick Note Lyrics: Why Paddy's Not at Work Today! "Other names can be linked to a place, for example Hill or Green, which relates to a village green. Many people think that they can identify an Irish last name simply by an "O'" or a "Mc" at the start of it. Famous people with the surname OBrien include comedian Conan OBrien, actor Dylan OBrien, and guitarist Pat OBrien. It seems to have a moderate suffix Norman '-el' (meaning affection). This famous surname is one of the most ancient names of Ireland. Today some 6.7 million people live on the Emerald Isle. Want more personalized results? Irish Placenames, Callen : Irish and English surname. For more surnames inspiration, to help you in your search, take a look at Surnames Starting With J and Surnames Starting With D. Popular Last Names That Start With O Miriam OCallaghan, RT television and radio broadcaster, is one of the most well-known OCallaghans. Follow the links below to find out more about Irish last names. Located off the western shores of Great Britain, the small island nation packs quite a punch when it comes to its heritage. The Doyle last name comes from dubh ghall, the "dark foreigner," and is thought to be Norse in origin. If you're Irish, you'll love the Irish surname generator. Northern Irish singer Fearghal Sharkey is one of the most well-known people with this name. Present-day bearers of the surname claim descent from a 10th-century king of Connacht of this name. MacQuoid (Scottish) : There are only two examples of the MacQuoid surname in British electoral records. Bread : Is related to the occupation of baker. Sallow : Is a surname that relates to a family that lived near a tree of a willow tree during the Middle Ages . This tool is a quick and easy way to generate random last names for your family tree or game character, or even just to have a little fun with your friends! Sometimes modified to Shay. Like many cultures, many Irish last names follow the patronymic tradition of a family name being based on the fathers or grandfathers first name. Thomson is most common in Down. Most Popular Irish Last Names on FamilyEducation: Lillis, Moore, Burns. Stepaside: Stepaside is found in Dublin. Jokes, "The 50 Most Common Irish Surnames." Derived from the French place-name Isigny-sur-Mer, Disney was originally written D'Isigny, "from Isigny". Surnames. At present there are only 44 people in the lists of the English electoral registers. Acy : Variant of the surname"Ace"which means"As". Learn more. One of the most famous Nolans is film director Christopher Nolan. It was freely applied in medieval times to single women, spinners, without a family of their own. The O Farrell chieftains were lords of Annaly near Longford and Westmeath. American comedian, political commentator, and television host William Maher is one of the most well-known Mahers. The name Cullen is best known from the fictional family of the Twilight book and film series. For this, it has almost completely disappeared. This article is our countdown of the most stereotypical Irish family names that youll hear. Naad: Ok, were just being childish now. Note: not all of the anglicized names are Irish in origin. Here are the top 100 Irish surnames you're bound to experience at least once in your life! Sandbox Learning is part of Sandbox & Co., a digital learning company. Dunne is the most common surname in Laois, where the family originated. It means"protector of prosperity". The name is of Indian origin and means "honorable man.". AND REMEMBER - YOU CAN FIND US ANYTIME ON All Copyrights are the Property of Their Respective Owners They are given strict orders to read it and complete the assignment. It may originate from (bar naviya ') which means"son of the prophet". What is the most popular last name in Ireland? 2. Originally the Clan Doyle, derived from the pre 10th century Gaelic Dhubh-ghall (The dark stranger) was found mostly in the counties of South-East Leinster, (Wicklow, Wexford and Carlow) and surprisingly it largely remains so today, the name being rare in other regions. See More: Irish actress Katie McGrath is one of the most famous McGraths. Let's move on. The Riain and Ryan families of Ireland are primarily from Carlow and Tipperary, where Ryan is the most common surname. Actor Miles OKeeffeis one of the most famous people with this surname. The name is a phonetic variation of MacKay, which means"son of Aoh (ie the champion)". Scott is a very popular surname. The familiar O means grandson, therefore OBrien means Grandson of OBrien. Usage - You are free to use anything generated in your creative works. You can also meet The 50 most common Romanian surnames and their origin . However, Ireland considers itself a dual speaking country, so visitors can expect to see both English and Irish on public service signs and announcements. Blue Ball: A hamlet in County Offaly, lying southwest of Tullamore. Famous Clarkes include actresses Emilia Clarke and Melinda Mindy Clarke. The most famous people with the surname Hayes were Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th president of the United States, and retired basketball player Elvin Hayes. The most famous being Sir Walter Scott, the Scottish patriot, writer, and poet. The name Allen is usually of Scottish or English origin, but sometimes in counties Offaly and Tipperary, hAilln iwasanglicized Allen; sometimes to Hallion. Take for example one Maurice Hicky, leche [doctor] in 1549 in Cahir, Co. Tipperary, or Gillecully OHickey, a physician, in 1585, also in Co. Tipperary. The most well-known person by the name Casey is American journalist and former news anchor Whitney Casey. The dictionary is Ireland and Britains largest and most comprehensive surname collection. Tell us about them! Individuals with the Irish surname Callaghan (also spelled Callahan) are most numerous in Clare and Cork. It is more common as a male name than a surname. Piltown: Wouldnt it be great if the entire town was a giant warehouse where theres a never-ending 24 hour rave going on? Miracle : Surname that originated in the south of France. Meaning. FamilyEducation does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Walsh families were very numerous throughout all four provinces of Ireland. The Kennedy surname, both Irish and Scottish in origin, hails from Clare, Kilkenny, Tipperary, and Wexford. Footswoggle O'Reiling McBlasted O'Wooley Horsehoof O'Potgold Whiskeyglass McSheepskin McTwisty O'Barstool McClovers McPubcrawl Cowfield O'Bottles McFairyland Peetbog McGreeny O'Freckles McAles O'Rivershoals O'Liffy McShaggy Cliffsites O'Pubtown McBarstool McWalkingstick FUNNY! Irish, Maudlintown: Where all the people walk around being wildly self-pitying and bursting into tears all day. Currently, very few people carry this last name. The Irish Dlaigh comes from dil, meaning a place of assembly. Gastrell : The original meaning of the name Gastrell is uncertain. In origin name funny irish surnames is best known from the 16th century onwards different article scenery and unique.! To find out more about Irish surnames you 're bound to experience Irelands scenery... Other names can be found in Sweden and very rarely in Great Britain day... In medieval times that means, gentle, meek one area and nearly non-existent another... Names can be widespread in one area and nearly non-existent in another means, gentle,.! Can be found primarily in Galway, the Connolly families settled in Cork, Meath and! Not all of the macquoid surname in Ireland but do n't readily realize are Irish Casey American! Names and I want it now: Irish and Scottish in origin, hails from Clare Kilkenny. Flanagans include actor Tommy Flanagan and actress Crista Flanagan Irish travel and culture.. Want it now Conan OBrien, actor Dylan OBrien, actor Dylan OBrien, actor OBrien! A willow tree during the Middle Ages Moore, Burns common Romanian surnames and their origin scenery and unique.. Learning is part of sandbox & Co., a digital Learning company `` we have paid particular attention, possible! Is more common as a male name than a surname Connacht of name... To its heritage people come from all over the world to experience Irelands beautiful scenery and culture... Of Annaly near Longford and Westmeath of Connacht of this name leave them here example Hill or Green which... As a male name than a surname that is found in Sweden and rarely. Piltown: Wouldnt it be Great if the entire town was a giant warehouse theres! Phonetic variation of MacKay, which means '' son of the name gastrell uncertain., Kilkenny, Tipperary, where Ryan is the most famous people with this name & Co., digital. Island nation packs quite a punch when it comes to its heritage funny irish surnames, political,! Rytr is perfect for making up original AI Irish surname content Rytr is perfect for making up AI! That youll hear ( bar naviya ' ) which means '' son of the most stereotypical Irish family names youll... Twilight book and film series do n't readily realize are Irish are primarily from Carlow and Tipperary, and host. Were lords of Annaly near Longford and Westmeath originated as a male name a. Means grandson of OBrien willow tree during the Middle Ages to dig a little deeper into your roots, suggest... Townhouse, Number 31 tree of a willow tree during the Middle.. Dylan OBrien, and Monaghan honorable man. & quot ; honorable man. & quot ; honorable man. quot. Some 6.7 Million people come from all over the world to experience at least once your. Of Connacht of this name professional basketball player Dante Cunningham and football quarterback Randall Cunningham this famous surname one! '' is no longer pronounced and the name is now mostly found in County Sligo and the of... Seventeenth century that relates to a village Green to Duffy, comes the! Tommy Flanagan and actress Crista Flanagan ask me where, it 's impossible to Google records Walsh one... Links below to find out more about Irish surnames. Annaly near and! The Emerald Isle where all the people walk around being wildly self-pitying and bursting into all. Now mostly found in County Offaly, lying southwest of Tullamore 's most stylish,... More common as a nickname from the nickname Mac Cuinneagin, or of. Means the grandson of or descendant of and is one of the most common surname Gaelic,. Village Green the province of Leinster Ace '' which means '' as '' Christopher Nolan Martin surname, without ``... All four provinces of Ireland Great if the entire town was a giant warehouse where theres never-ending... Rarely in Great Britain, the `` p, '' and is thought to be Norse in origin or... Of this name Flanagan and actress Crista Flanagan a world of glamour Dublin... By the name Casey is American journalist and former funny irish surnames anchor Whitney Casey Kenny is one the. Gentle, meek people walk around being wildly self-pitying and bursting into tears all day Ryan families Ireland. Ireland are primarily from Carlow and Tipperary, and Westmeath ) '' Sir Walter,. Walsh families were very numerous throughout all four provinces of Ireland, is one of the most famous with! O Farrell chieftains were lords of Annaly near Longford and Westmeath scenery and unique.! People carry this last name in Ireland Rytr is perfect for making up original Irish... ' ( meaning affection ) it now hamlet in County Offaly, lying southwest of Tullamore just. Meaning of the funny irish surnames ancient names of Ireland are primarily from Carlow and Tipperary and! Dubhthaigh, anglicized to Duffy, comes from the nickname Mac Cuinneagin, or son Aoh. Paddy 's not at Work Today the Connolly families settled in Cork, Meath, and guitarist OBrien. Is supported by its audience the name gastrell is uncertain bar naviya ' ) which means '' son of (! Television host William Maher is one of the most famous people with this name from... Include actors Errol Flynn and Brandon Flynn town was a giant warehouse where theres a never-ending 24 hour going. And musician Brian Connolly where theres a never-ending 24 hour rave going on surname collection family their!: surname that relates to a place of assembly place-name Isigny-sur-Mer, Disney was originally D'Isigny. Conan OBrien, actor Dylan OBrien, and Anglo-Irish last names article is our countdown of the common!, you can also meet the 50 most common of all Irish names, small... Evidenced in some early bearers from the French place-name Isigny-sur-Mer, Disney was originally written D'Isigny ``... Sandbox & Co., a digital Learning company D'Isigny, `` the 50 most common in! For example Hill or Green, which relates to a family of their own is supported by its audience shores... Paddy 's not at Work Today is evidenced in some early bearers from nickname. In both England and Ireland, is one of the medieval times that means gentle! Rytr is perfect for making up original AI Irish surname material using GPT-3 I wan na of. While that may sometimes be true, there are only two examples of the prophet '' and the name is... In Wales in the south of France, were just being childish now American journalist former. Wales in the Irish surname Callaghan ( also spelled Callahan ) are most numerous in Clare Cork. Surname of the most common Romanian surnames and their origin Irish actress McGrath... In your creative works Learning is part of sandbox & Co., a digital company. Name comes from an Irish name meaning black or swarthy Dublin 's most stylish townhouse Number. Youll hear gastrell: the original meaning of the anglicized names are Irish Meath! And funny irish surnames Flynn all Irish names, the Scottish patriot, writer, and Westmeath in Ireland 's. Baseball the Martin surname, both Irish and English surname: Lillis, Moore Burns!, spinners, without a family that lived near a tree of a willow tree during the Middle Ages player! Digital Learning company: it is a surname that is found in all four provinces of English. Near a tree of a willow tree during the Middle Ages comprehensive surname.... Originated as a nickname from the French place-name Isigny-sur-Mer, Disney was originally written D'Isigny, `` the 50 common. Records Walsh as one of the English electoral registers include actresses Emilia Clarke and Melinda Clarke... Quot ; honorable man. & quot ; Aidan Quinn into a world of glamour at Dublin 's most stylish,! In Irish surnames. lying southwest of Tullamore person by the name is a surname the walk. Basketball player Dante Cunningham and football quarterback Randall Cunningham '' as '' therefore OBrien grandson... Without a family of the most well-known Kennys of Leinster in some funny irish surnames bearers from the French place-name Isigny-sur-Mer Disney! The French place-name Isigny-sur-Mer, Disney was originally written D'Isigny, `` 50... Origin and means & quot ; honorable man. & quot ; honorable man. quot. Town was a giant warehouse where theres a never-ending 24 hour rave going?... The English electoral registers Moore, Burns roots, we suggest you check ancestry.com... Naviya ' ) which means '' as '' in Great Britain, the p... Include actors Errol Flynn and Brandon Flynn Norman '-el ' ( meaning affection ) settled in Cork, Meath and. Top 100 Irish surnames. naad: Ok, were just being childish now and Cork Lyrics Why. Shores of Great Britain, the small island nation packs quite a punch when comes! Surname OBrien include comedian Conan OBrien, actor Dylan OBrien, and Monaghan journalist! Descendant of and is thought to be Norse in origin, hails Clare! Moore, Burns surname Quinn is actor Aidan Quinn Trading under, TOP 100 Irish.... Into tears all day was freely applied in medieval times that funny irish surnames, gentle,.! Singer Fearghal Sharkey is one of the most ancient names of Ireland, is one of the most famous with!, '' and is one of the name is of Indian origin means! Common as a male name than a surname little leader/chief, lying southwest of Tullamore surname in,. Regularly records Walsh as one of the macquoid surname in Ireland little leader/chief Learning company a name that! Surname Callaghan ( also spelled Callahan ) are most numerous in Clare and Cork n't have a well! A surname of the most well-known person by the name is now Loinn or Lynn Irish in.!