The surname OBrien is OBriain in Irish, meaning descendant of Brian (Boru). The first name Aslan means "lion" and is of Turkish origin. And of course Horetown is in Wexford. Read on to learn the words and sing along to this famous Irish folk song. Caoimhe. Famous OConnors include singer Sinad OConnor, novelist Flannery OConnor, and retired United States Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Sandra Day OConnor. Ireland Before You Die is the biggest Irish travel and culture website. One of the most famous people with the surname MacDonald is singer-songwriter Amy MacDonald. Today, there are many different variations of Irish surnames, but most commonly, they can be divided into three categories. For example, Murphy, Byrne, and O'Brien are a few of the oldest and most common surnames in Ireland. In general, Catholics spell the name with two ns, while Protestants spell it with one. "The 50 Most Common Irish Surnames." From the Irish for brown (donn), the original Irish name Duinn has by now lost the O prefix. B. Sallow : Is a surname that relates to a family that lived near a tree of a willow tree during the Middle Ages . Piltown: Wouldnt it be great if the entire town was a giant warehouse where theres a never-ending 24 hour rave going on? The Kennedy surname, both Irish and Scottish in origin, hails from Clare, Kilkenny, Tipperary, and Wexford. Wexford, seriously, we need to talk. Miracle surname. The Doyle last name comes from dubh ghall, the "dark foreigner," and is thought to be Norse in origin. American football quarterback Tom Brady is the most famous person with the name Brady. Any Irish-themed occasion, whether a birthday, a dinner party, a wedding shower, a retirement gathering, a pub crawl - you name it - will get a jolt of energy from the game we are about to show you. I was able to choose a last name that suited my clan perfectly, I really like the Irish surname generator! Rymer : Is a surname associated with being a poet and making rhymes. One of the most famous McLoughlins is author and television presenter Coleen Rooney (neMcLoughlin). Mary Robinson, the former president of Ireland, is one of the most well-known Irish Robinsons. However, Hawkins may also be Irish in origin, from hEachin descendant of Eachn. One of the "Tribes of Galway", also anglicized as Dorsey, it is the name of two septs, one inMayoandGalway, the other inCo Wexford. Find my past editors. Nolan The most well-known person by the name Casey is American journalist and former news anchor Whitney Casey. See More: Ryan is another popular Irish family name across the world. Unique and like no other, a mere uttering of an Irish family name and youre sure to know they hail from the Emerald Isle. By the mid-19th-century, Byrne was one of the most common Irish family names in Wicklow, recorded 1203 times. It was one of the "Tribes of Kilkenny." Even if you're not, this is the perfect tool for anyone looking for an Irish name to use. As a name came to England in the twelfth century and has been altering through time and also adopting as a surname. Glass : It is a diminutive of Vasilis and means"King"in Greek. Soccer I came across this great resource by Barry Griffin on the top Irish surnames in each county. Miracle : Surname that originated in the south of France. Copyright 2023 Irish Studio LLC All rights reserved. Information on our advertising guidelines can be found. Here are 12 examples of Irish surnames and where they originate from courtesy of the Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland: Hickey Hickey is the anglicised form of hceadh 'descendant of cidhe, a byname meaning 'doctor, healer'. Can also be one of the cool names for girls. Here are the top 100 Irish surnames you're bound to experience at least once in your life! Murphy Gaelic Equivalent: Murchadha Meaning: Sea-battler 2. What's Your Favorite Funny Last Name? There are a lot of different options you can choose from and it's super easy, I really like this Irish surname generator, I really like this Irish surname generator! (2021, February 16). Bythesea and Bytheseashore : The first bearer of this surname was William Bythesee in Somerset in the year 1336. The Irish people are native to the island country. Paris Donnatella is an avid writer and traveller. Ireland Before You Die is supported by its audience. We would love to hear from you -please send us a note here and let us know how we are doing. Golf It is more common as a male name than a surname. 10. Read on to find out what it is! If you don't have a name well that's a different article. The Hughes surname, both Welsh and Irish in origin, is most numerous in three provinces Connacht, Leinster, and Ulster. Check out the Irish Surname API. Walsh families were very numerous throughout all four provinces of Ireland. Top 100 Irish surnames 1. E. Emily Goss. Names, Famous ONeills include Eugene ONeill, who was the only American playwright to ever receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. Gastrell : The original meaning of the name Gastrell is uncertain. Acy : Variant of the surname"Ace"which means"As". Ryan Fitzpatrick, NFL quarterback, was named the fifth smartest athlete in sports by Sporting News in 2010. Dagger : Means"dagger". Also spelled McCarthy. Those who live in the north of the country may hold various national identities, including Irish, Northern Irish, and British. 22. It means"protector of prosperity". Head over to Pictory. Famous Clarkes include actresses Emilia Clarke and Melinda Mindy Clarke. Random Irish Name Generator. I've been using it for hours and I finally came up with a unique last name for one of my characters. Many Irish surnames we are familiar with that begin with Mc or Mac are patronyms; Mc and Mac stand for son, so Mc Doyle would mean Son of Doyle. Duck Names One of the oldest surnames in Ireland, the O Clery surname (anglicized to Clarke) is most prevalent in Cavan. It also refers to two medieval villages that no longer exist. At present there are only 44 people in the lists of the English electoral registers. The Gaelic name Fearghas, or Fergus in English, means 'man of vigour'. Connolly 24. Notable Hughes include American business magnate Howard Hughes, and poet and activist Langston Hughes. It is believed to mean"universal power"in Old Norse. OSullivan has to be the most Irish name ever. An Phailis in Irish, means The Palace, Pallas Lough is a small fishing lake is located to the east of the village - Loch na Pailse (Palae Lake). L. Elizabeth Forry is an Early Childhood Educator with 15 years of classroom experience and is the mom of two creative and crazy boys. But even if that is not possible, you can still enjoy the magic of Ireland in these pages. Notable Cunninghams include American professional basketball player Dante Cunningham and football quarterback Randall Cunningham. Villin : Surname that originated in the region of Norfolk, England. For this, it has almost completely disappeared. Brown is another common Irish surname. Check out the links at the top of this website for simple instructions on how to sing Irish songs, use Irish words, enjoy Irish food, and much more! Ireland, WATCH: This St. Patrick's Day flash mob is still one of our favorites! Basketball player Blake Griffin and comedian Kathy Griffin are two of the most well-known people with the surname Griffin. Next: Match your last initial to the appropriate letter below, to find your new "Irish" last name. Cullimore : There is a place called Colleymore Farm in Oxfordshire, but it is not clear if this is the source of the surname. Irish, View All Result . Here are some Irish last names specific to various regions of Ireland. 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. And, those of Irish descent can be found mainly in English-speaking countries, including Great Britain, the United States, Canada, and Australia. The largest number of Irish descendants reside in the United States, while in Australia, those sharing in Irish ancestry account for a higher percentage of the population than in any other country, except Ireland. One of the most famous Duffys is rock musician Billy Duffy. Families were awakened by a strange earthquake-like sound to find the bog swallowing up their homes, people and cattle. The O prefix has an Irish base. One of the most famous Nolans is film director Christopher Nolan. Read on to learn the lyrics and sing along to this irresistible Irish folk so, Learning Whiskey in the Jar lyrics gives you the opportunity to sing along to one of the most popular Irish folk songs. O'Doherty 16. Professor Richard Coates, who alonglead the UWE team along with Professor Patrick Hanks, said: "There is a widespread interest in family names and their history. Ireland and its culture are known world-over. 14. Stewart is a very popular Irish surname. Football Nicknames 57. The team examinedrecords dating from between the 11th and19th centuries to procure newexplanations of names that are farmore reliable and up to date than those currently available. Burke Campbell is a descriptive surname meaning "crooked mouth.". Ireland Before You Die is supported by its audience. It is of Celtic origin, derived from the personal name Meuric, which is the Welsh form of Maurice. Dance, Team Names Family Education is part of the Sandbox Learning family of educational reference sites for parents, teachers, and students. From "dacha", meaning "dark" in Irish. It seems to have a moderate suffix Norman '-el' (meaning affection). Campbell originated as a nickname from the Gaelic caimbeul, literally meaning crooked mouth. O'Reilly 12. The Thomson surname, without the "p," is Scottish. Follow the links below to find out more about Irish last names. Where can I learn more about Irish names? Ireland Before You Die (IB4UD) is the biggest Irish travel and culture website. 43. Rich in history and proud in its Celtic roots, the Irish identity is worn like a badge of honour. Fannystown: Its in Wexford. Murphys are primarily from Antrim, Armagh, Carlow, Cork, Kerry, Roscommon, Sligo, Tyrone, and Wexford, however. 42. Currently it is assumed that only 591 persons carry this surname and only 2 persons carry this surname in England. The unusual name comes from the Irish An tth Leacach (meaning the flagged ford) but to be honest we have no idea what that means either. The apostrophe that usually follows the O actually comes from a misunderstanding by English-speaking clerks in Elizabethan time, who interpreted it as a form of the word "of." List Of Common Irish Surnames Or Family Names 1. Chadburn : Means"wild or indomitable stream". Are your ancestors Irish? Murphy 2. Thomson is most common in Down. Slora : Slora seems to have different variations, including Slorra, Slorah, Slorach and Slorrance. 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. While the meaning of the majority of Irish names is well-known, the dictionary provides early-bearer evidence, for the first time, for all of these names. Musician and YouTube personality Charlie McDonnell is one of the most well-known McDonnells. ODwyer is a popular Irish name in Australia with cricketer Edmund Thomas ODwyer and National Rugby League player Luke ODwyer both having the name. Guy's sports editors. Many of these early Irish surnames began as patronyms to identify a son separately from his father or a grandson from his grandfather. Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox. Sometimes modified to O'Donnelly. These surnames are examples of Welsh or English names which Gaelicised in Ireland following the Norman Conquest of Britain. My @$$ blew you a kiss. The name means sea-battler. This Irish surname generator is the perfect tool for all your Irish surname needs! 56. Maudlintown: Where all the people walk around being wildly self-pitying and bursting into tears all day. All rights reserved. The 50 Most Common Irish Surnames. Famous OSullivans include actress Maureen OSullivan, actor Richard OSullivan, and singer Gilbert OSullivan. It can also be a surname to refer to a family who lived in Scholes in Yorkshire. 54. Even the former Xena, Warrior Princess Lucy Lawless has Irish roots - in Quilty, Co Clare. If you liked this article, you might want to read our article about the Top Irish Family Names. However, the "F" is no longer pronounced and the name is now Loinn or Lynn. Sick Note Lyrics tell the story of one of the most unfortunate (and funny) excuses for missing work - ever! At Irish Expressions we believe everybody well almost Leap: Pronounced Lep not Leap, but still, verbs make funny placenames. Fernsby : This surname means"dwelling near the ferns". Historical linguists, medieval historians, lexicographers and experts on Irish, Scottish and Welsh surnames collaborated for the project, which investigated the linguistic, historical and geographical origins of 45,600 of the most frequent British and Irish surnames. The name came into use to describe the Welsh people who came to Ireland during the Anglo-Norman invasions. Even today, there are surnames of which the origin is unknown or what they symbolize. I am a. Famous Fitzgeralds include singer Ella Fitzgerald and writer F. Scott Fizgerald. The Irish Post is the biggest selling national newspaper to the Irish in Britain. There is also a MacCarroll family (anglicized to MacCarvill) from the province of Ulster. In Ireland, singer Daniel ODonnell is one of the most famous people with this surname. O'Connor 10. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Alvin (old English) one of the more unusual last names meaning "elf friend". Loughty : Loughty is considered as a variation of Lochty, the name of two villages in Tayside (one a couple of miles west of Perth, the other 6 miles west of Brechin). Ryan 9. Byrne ( Broin) Derived from Gaelic element cath meaning"battle". Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. 2. Frydenlund - Referring to Frydenlund in Norway, made up of 'fryd' which means'delight' and 'lund' which means 'grove.' 14. Bastardstown: This inoffensive costal area in Co. Wexford is the proud bearer of Irelands sweariest place name. Fitz means son of and it would often come before the fathers forename. Hockey By the mid-19th century, Connor was the most common variant of this name. It seems that he arrived in England with the refugees who came from France after the Edict of Nantes was revoked in 1685. When not the name of an English settler family, in Ireland Smith has usually a variation on the surname of MacGowan, nearly always so inCo Cavan. Top 1-50 Irish Surnames 1. Modern Irish name generator This name generator will generate 10 random Irish names and surnames. It may refer to a family from the South American country. The O or preceding a second name means the grandson of or descendant of and is a common feat in Irish surnames. This Irish family was very widespread, settling in Fermanagh, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, and Westmeath. Farrell is a surname generally meaning "valiant warrior. Cock : Means cock, or is associated with a proud person. The bearers of these descriptive names would have reminded someone whose dwelling was near a lake or a stream. Amilia : Probably means"Emilio's children". Not to be confused with a big building with doctors and sick people in it. OBrien has been a prominent surname in Ireland for centuries. King is one of the most famous people with this surname. Many of them are just names that you would find in Ireland. Actress Katherine MacNamara is the most famous person with the surname MacNamara. So - how Surnames. FamilyEducation does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It gave me a bunch of options for my Irish last name, I really like this Irish surname generator! First Trimester To-Do List: Take Care of Yourself. - Need to convert Irish Surname generated content to video with AI real voices? Kelly families of Irish origin come primarily from Derry, Galway, Kildare, Leitrim, Leix, Meath, Offaly, Roscommon, and Wicklow. By joining GeneratorFun.com for free you can have more generator options such as selecting more items generated each time. Callen : Irish and English surname. Hee, hee. The Murray surname is especially prolific in Donegal. Nobber: County Meath. 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. Previously unseen medieval and modern sources such as census returns, tax records and church registers have updated and even replaced accepted origins of many surnames. It seems likely that the name is related to MacQuaid. English actress, singer, and television personality Claire Sweeney is the most famous person with the surname Sweeney. The Maguire surname is the most common in Fermanagh. If you are struck by the meaning and origin of the surnames, I invite you to continue reading. An early bearer of this surname was Nicholas of Sallow, mentioned in the"Shropshire Rotuli Hundredorum"of 1254. Lime, the antagonist from 'The Third Man' played by Orson Welles. I have it all. 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. And as always, feel free to link back if you use our generators. 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