200+ Irish Last Names 2026 (With Meanings)
Irish last names have significant historical context, identity, and pride that derive from centuries of Gaelic tradition and storytelling.
Most Irish surnames evolved as patronymic names by utilizing prefixes such as “O’” (“descendant of”) or “Mac” (“son of”) to create a direct connection between a person and their lineage.
Irish surnames also include those that were created based on personal traits, professions, or the rugged geography of Ireland.
They are based on the ancient clan names that existed at the beginning of time as well as contemporary surnames that have been passed down through generations and are easily recognized today.
Irish Last Names
O’Brien – “descendant of Brian;” meaning noble or strong, tied to a famous High King.
O’Connor – “descendant of Conchobhar;” meaning lover of hounds.
O’Neill – “descendant of Niall;” meaning champion or cloud.
O’Sullivan – “descendant of Súileabhán;” meaning dark-eyed.
O’Reilly – “descendant of Raghallach;” meaning valiant.
O’Kelly – “descendant of Ceallach;” meaning bright-headed.
O’Daly – “descendant of Dálach;” associated with poets and scholars.
O’Donovan – “descendant of Donnabhán;” meaning dark warrior.
O’Mahony – “descendant of Mathghamhain;” meaning bear-like.
O’Doherty – “descendant of Dochartaigh;” meaning obstructive or strong.
Murphy – “sea warrior;” one of the most common Irish surnames.
Kelly – “warrior;” derived from Ceallach.
Ryan – “little king;” symbolizing leadership.
O’Byrne – “descendant of Bran;” meaning raven.
O’Farrell – “descendant of Fearghal;” meaning brave man.
O’Callaghan – “descendant of Ceallachán;” meaning bright-headed.
O’Carroll – “descendant of Cearbhall;” meaning fierce warrior.
O’Flaherty – “descendant of Flaithbheartach;” meaning bright ruler.
O’Grady – “descendant of Gráda;” meaning noble.
O’Shaughnessy – “descendant of Seachnasaigh;” meaning bold.
O’Shea – “descendant of Séaghdha;” meaning majestic.
O’Rourke – “descendant of Ruairc;” meaning red-haired.
O’Malley – “descendant of Máille;” meaning chief or noble.
O’Higgins – “descendant of Uiginn;” meaning Viking.
O’Kane – “descendant of Cathán;” meaning little warrior.
O’Loughlin – “descendant of Lochlann;” meaning land of lakes.
O’Meara – “descendant of Meadhra;” meaning merry.
O’Quinn – “descendant of Conn;” meaning wisdom or chief.
O’Reardon – “descendant of Rioghbhardán;” meaning royal bard.
O’Toole – “descendant of Tuathal;” meaning ruler of the people.
Brennan – “descendant of Braonán;” meaning little drop.
Brady – “descendant of Brádach;” meaning spirited.
Burke – “fortress;” of Norman origin in Ireland.
Byrne – “raven;” symbolizing intelligence.
Casey – “vigilant;” describing watchfulness.
Clarke – “scholar;” linked to clerical roles.
Collins – “young warrior;” energetic and strong.
Connolly – “fierce as a hound;” warrior imagery.
Doyle – “dark stranger;” possibly Viking origin.
Duffy – “dark;” referring to complexion.
Dunne – “brown;” describing physical traits.
Farrell – “brave man;” symbolizing courage.
Fitzgerald – “son of Gerald;” Norman influence.
Flynn – “son of the red-haired one;” describing appearance.
Gallagher – “foreign helper;” possibly linked to Vikings.
Healy – “descendant of the claimant;” legal or noble ties.
Hogan – “young;” referring to youthfulness.
Kavanagh – “born handsome;” positive descriptive name.
Keane – “ancient;” tied to lineage.
Lynch – “mariner;” associated with seafaring.
MacCarthy – “son of Cárthach;” meaning loving.
MacDonnell – “son of Domhnall;” meaning world ruler.
MacGregor – “son of Gregor;” meaning watchful.
MacMahon – “son of Mathghamhain;” meaning bear-like.
MacNamara – “son of the sea;” tied to ocean life.
MacSweeney – “pleasant;” describing character.
MacBride – “son of a servant of Brigid;” religious connection.
MacDermott – “son of Diarmaid;” meaning free man.
MacKenna – “son of Cionnaith;” meaning fire-born.
MacLeod – “son of Leod;” Norse influence.
Malone – “servant of Saint John;” religious origin.
Manning – “monk;” tied to religious life.
Moran – “great;” symbolizing importance.
Murray – “sea settlement;” coastal connection.
Nolan – “noble;” indicating high status.
O’Beirne – “descendant of Biorna;” meaning sharp.
O’Clery – “descendant of the clerk;” scholarly roots.
O’Dea – “descendant of Deaghadh;” meaning good.
O’Dowd – “descendant of Dubhda;” meaning dark one.
O’Gorman – “descendant of Gormán;” meaning blue.
O’Hanlon – “descendant of Anluan;” meaning champion.
O’Hara – “descendant of Eaghra;” meaning lordly.
O’Hart – “descendant of Art;” meaning bear or noble.
O’Kearney – “descendant of Cearnach;” meaning victorious.
O’Keefe – “descendant of Caoimh;” meaning gentle.
O’Lennon – “descendant of Leannán;” meaning lover.
O’Madden – “descendant of Madadhan;” meaning little dog.
O’Muldoon – “descendant of Maoldúin;” meaning chief.
O’Rafferty – “descendant of Raithbheartaigh;” meaning prosperous.
O’Riordan – “descendant of Rioghbhardán;” royal poet.
O’Shanahan – “descendant of Seanachán;” meaning wise.
O’Treacy – “descendant of Treasach;” meaning warlike.
Power – “poor man;” Norman origin.
Quigley – “untidy hair;” descriptive nickname.
Quinn – “wise;” symbolizing intelligence.
Reilly – “valiant;” bravery-related meaning.
Sexton – “church officer;” religious occupation.
Sheehan – “peaceful;” calm personality.
Sweeney – “pleasant;” positive trait.
Tierney – “lord;” noble meaning.
Walsh – “foreigner;” often referring to Welsh origin.
White – “fair;” describing complexion.
Whelan – “joyful;” expressing happiness.
Boyle – “pledge;” tied to promises.
Carey – “dark;” describing features.
Delaney – “descendant of the challenger;” competitive spirit.
Ennis – “island;” geographic origin.
Fagan – “little fiery one;” energetic meaning.
Gannon – “fair-haired;” describing appearance.
Hickey – “healer;” tied to care and medicine.
O’Brennan – “descendant of Braonán;” meaning sorrow or moisture, often tied to poetic roots.
O’Broin – “descendant of Bran;” meaning raven, symbolizing intelligence.
O’Cahill – “descendant of Cathal;” meaning battle ruler.
O’Cavanagh – “descendant of Caomhánach;” meaning gentle or beloved.
O’Cleary – “descendant of the clerk;” linked to scholars and scribes.
O’Connelly – “descendant of Conghalach;” meaning brave or fierce.
O’Corcoran – “descendant of Corcair;” meaning purple, possibly noble.
O’Curran – “descendant of Currán;” meaning hero.
O’Dempsey – “descendant of Diomasaigh;” meaning proud.
O’Donnelly – “descendant of Donnghal;” meaning brown-haired warrior.
O’Dwyer – “descendant of Dubhuir;” meaning dark water.
O’Fahy – “descendant of Fathach;” meaning giant.
O’Friel – “descendant of Fearghal;” meaning brave man.
O’Gara – “descendant of Gadhra;” meaning hound.
O’Gorman – “descendant of Gormán;” meaning blue or noble.
O’Hagan – “descendant of Ógán;” meaning young.
O’Hennessy – “descendant of Aonghus;” meaning one strength.
O’Hurley – “descendant of Uirthile;” meaning sea tide.
O’Keating – “descendant of Céitinn;” meaning warrior.
O’Kelleher – “descendant of Ceallach;” meaning lover of churches.
O’Larkin – “descendant of Lorcán;” meaning fierce.
O’Leary – “descendant of Laoghaire;” meaning calf herder.
O’Maher – “descendant of Meadhair;” meaning cheerful.
O’Meehan – “descendant of Miadhach;” meaning honorable.
O’Molloy – “descendant of Maolmhuire;” meaning servant of Mary.
O’Morahan – “descendant of Murchadh;” meaning sea warrior.
O’Morrissey – “descendant of Muiris;” meaning sea-born.
O’Nolan – “descendant of Nuallán;” meaning noble.
O’Reddy – “descendant of Ruaidhrí;” meaning red king.
O’Rogan – “descendant of Ruadhagán;” meaning red-haired.
O’Sheehy – “descendant of Síthigh;” meaning peaceful.
O’Slattery – “descendant of Slatara;” meaning strong.
O’Taaffe – “descendant of Tadhg;” meaning poet.
O’Teague – “descendant of Tadhg;” meaning philosopher.
O’Tuohy – “descendant of Tuathach;” meaning ruler.
O’Whelan – “descendant of Faolán;” meaning little wolf.
O’Whyte – “descendant of the fair one;” referring to complexion.
Barry – “spear;” associated with Norman roots.
Behan – “bee-like;” possibly energetic or busy.
Bohan – “cow house;” linked to farming life.
Boland – “proud;” describing character.
Boylan – “descendant of Baoigheallán;” meaning oath-bound.
Brannigan – “descendant of Bran;” meaning raven.
Brophy – “descendant of Bruaigh;” meaning strong.
Cahill – “battle ruler;” strong warrior meaning.
Callan – “rock;” symbolizing strength.
Cavanagh – “gentle;” tied to kindness.
Clancy – “red warrior;” combining color and strength.
Conlon – “hero;” noble meaning.
Corbett – “little raven;” symbolic of intelligence.
Costello – “descendant of Mac Oisdealbhaigh;” meaning deer-like.
Cronin – “little dark one;” describing features.
Cullinan – “handsome;” describing appearance.
Daly – “assembly;” linked to gatherings or leadership.
Deegan – “little dark one;” descriptive nickname.
Devlin – “fierce courage;” strong warrior imagery.
Donoghue – “descendant of Donnchadh;” meaning brown warrior.
Egan – “little fire;” symbolizing energy.
Feeney – “descendant of Fionn;” meaning fair-haired.
Finnegan – “little fair one;” referring to light features.
Fitzpatrick – “son of Patrick;” linked to Ireland’s patron saint.
Flanagan – “little red one;” describing hair color.
Foley – “plunderer;” possibly linked to warriors.
Gaffney – “descendant of Gamhna;” meaning calf.
Gilmore – “servant of Mary;” religious connection.
Glynn – “valley;” tied to landscape.
Hanrahan – “descendant of Anradhán;” meaning warrior.
Harrington – “descendant of Harry;” meaning home ruler.
Horan – “little pale one;” descriptive.
Kearns – “victorious;” symbolizing success.
Keogh – “descendant of Eochaidh;” meaning horseman.
Kinsella – “proud;” reflecting dignity.
Langan – “descendant of Longán;” meaning tall.
Lavin – “little white one;” describing complexion.
Loughlin – “land of lakes;” geographic origin.
Lyons – “gray;” possibly referring to hair.
Madden – “little dog;” symbolic meaning.
McCann – “son of Cana;” meaning wolf cub.
McGuinness – “son of Angus;” meaning one strength.
McHugh – “son of Hugh;” meaning mind or spirit.
McKenna – “son of Cionnaith;” meaning fire-born.
McLoughlin – “son of Lochlann;” meaning Viking land.
McShane – “son of Shane;” meaning God is gracious.
Moloney – “servant of the church;” religious connection.
Monaghan – “little monk;” tied to religion.
Mulcahy – “descendant of Cathach;” meaning warlike.
Muldoon – “chief;” leadership meaning.
Mulholland – “descendant of Maolchalann;” meaning servant.
Naughton – “pure;” describing character.
Noonan – “beloved;” expressing affection.
Oates – “wealth;” possibly Norman origin.
Rafferty – “prosperous;” symbolizing success.
Rooney – “red-haired;” describing features.
Scanlon – “little champion;” heroic meaning.
Shanahan – “wise;” tied to knowledge.
Tobin – “well;” linked to water sources.
Tully – “flood;” tied to landscape.
Wogan – “youthful;” describing age.
Kelleher – “lover of churches;” religious devotion.
O’Dunne – “descendant of Donn;” meaning brown-haired.
O’Mullan – “descendant of Maolán;” meaning bald or devoted.
