https://www.thoughtco.com/common-surnames-of-ireland-1420790 (accessed March 2, 2023). ThoughtCo. This name, and similar adoptions, such as Abraham, Bird, Buckley, Waters, all indicate the complexities involved in identifying Irish family names from their adopted English language forms. The Origin and Meaning of Connell and O'Connell Surname, Origin and Meaning of the Last Name Boyle, MURPHY Surname Meaning and Family History, Meaning and History of the Surname Callaghan, NELSON Surname Meaning and Family History, 20 Common Australian Surnames and Their Meanings, Certificate in Genealogical Research, Boston University. - If you need original factual content such as Irish Surname blogs etc, Article Forge is amazing. First identified with Connacht, it is now numerous in all the provinces (least in Ulster). It means"dragging bear". 11. Circle that! Dripsey: Co. Cork. 12. OReilly ancient rulers of Co Cavan. The most famous being Sir Walter Scott, the Scottish patriot, writer, and poet. Notable OSheas include actor Milo OShea and singer-songwriter Mark OShea. For Work It means"champion". MacCaa : MacCaa has many associations with clans. One of the most famous Buckeys is singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley. The Lynch families ( Loingsigh in Irish) were originally settled in Clare, Donegal, Limerick, Sligo, and Westmeath, where the Lynch surname is most common. O'Sullivan Gaelic Equivalent: Silleabhin Meaning: Dark-eyed 4. An early bearer of this surname was Nicholas of Sallow, mentioned in the"Shropshire Rotuli Hundredorum"of 1254. Arya. 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. Find out Here! These include Gaelic Irish, Cambro-Norman, and Anglo-Irish last names. Some surnames have origins that are occupational - obvious examples are Smith and Baker; less obvious ones are Beadle, Rutter and Baxter. Robinson Crusoe, the popular character in the English novel by Daniel Defoe bore one of the strangest English surnames. As English rule in Ireland intensified at this time, it became increasingly difficult to find work if you had an Irish sounding name. The Thomson surname, without the "p," is Scottish. American comedian, political commentator, and television host William Maher is one of the most well-known Mahers. We highlight the most inspiring experiences Ireland has to offer. Don't you just wish there was a Marsh beside it? Travel Ireland Tips. Some popular Irish last names are O'Sullivan, Murphy, McCarthy, Byrne, O'Connor, Walsh, Ryan, and Kelly. Also known as simply Sullivan, is an Irish Gaelic clan-based most prominently in what is today County Cork and County Kerry. Even today, there are surnames of which the origin is unknown or what they symbolize. Kimberly Powell is a professional genealogist and the author of The Everything Guide to Online Genealogy. Infographic: The Meaningful Origins Of Funny Names Funniest Last Names In The World 1. Acy : Variant of the surname"Ace"which means"As". Irish family names can tell stories, too. Killbritain: Sure to raise a few eyebrows but honestly it couldnt be more innocent and holy. It means "ridge, shaped like a pig's back, between two expanses of briny water, which I think youll find yourself using frequently in a sentence from now on. Cass : It is a name and at the same time a surname. And, more so, dynamised the tapestry of Irish DNA, bringing greater numbers of English and lowland-Scot inhabitants to Ireland. Australian model and actor Julian MacMahon is one of the most famous MacMahons. Hardman - Hardman is an Anglo-Saxon name that means "person with a tough character.". I am a. Irish last names you may recognise from around the world are Murphy ( Murchadha in Gaelic) and Walsh (Breathnach in Gaelic). Wexford, seriously, we need to talk. 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. Many of them are just names that you would find in Ireland. Currently it is assumed that only 591 persons carry this surname and only 2 persons carry this surname in England. Widespread and woven into many different cultures around the globe, Irish surnames are ever-present today. The Irish Post delivers all the latest Irish news to our online audience around the globe. De Burgh is one of the most important and popular Hiberno-Norman names. 29-3-2017, retrieved from ancestry.com. Hockey The Hughes surname, both Welsh and Irish in origin, is most numerous in three provinces Connacht, Leinster, and Ulster. nice would it be to have access to a fun Irish experience, on demand, wherever you are? Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/common-surnames-of-ireland-1420790. hound of desire. In England this surname was taken for the first time in Anglesey, Wales. Villages. View our Privacy Policy, Wild Rover Lyrics tell the story of the man who leaves the drink behind. This surname is of Irish origin and means 'buck' or 'a boy'. Australian actor Jason Donovan is one of the most famous people with the surname Donovan. Irish poet Patrick Kavanagh is one of the most famous people by the surname Kavanagh. Modern Irish name generator This name generator will generate 10 random Irish names and surnames. Patterson is of English origin, but in Co. Galway, Ireland, it has been commonly adopted for Irish Caisn descendant of the little curly-headed one, which was more regularly anglicised as Cussen or Cussane. Powell, Kimberly. Death or De'Ath : A surname that means death. The Doherty surname is the most common in Derry. 100 most common Irish surnames in each Irish county based on the 1901 census. Famous McCarthys include Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist Cormac McCarthy and actress Melissa McCarthy. Birdwhistle : Means"bifurcation of the river where the birds nest". Also occasionally spelled Donne. He was referring to a commoner called"the villain." 42. Gneeveguilla: Wait till you hear this terrifying fact. At present, no person with this surname in England is known. Telegraph reporters. The mass exodus from Ireland has been a result of famine, war, and conflict throughout Irelands history. Spinster : Its origin is based on the word spinnan which means, yarn thread. 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." It is thought that this Irish last name might, in fact, be the oldest surname in Europe! Lynch 18. Even the most avid of Disney fans might not know that Walt Disney himself had Irish ancestry. Actress Lauren Graham is one of the most famous Grahams. (2012-2016). Coalspit: Eh, gross. Other similar names in the group are MacCaw, MacCay, MacGaw, MacGee and MacKee. You may recognise some of the most common last names in Ireland. I've been using it for a while now and it's helped me come up with a good Irish name, I love this Irish surname generator! Ireland is an island west of Great Britain and is politically separated into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Murphy Gaelic Equivalent: Murchadha Meaning: Sea-battler 2. Popular Posts. It comes from either the Irish last name Ryan, which is derived from Riain, or from the Irish given name Ran, which means little king. We highlight the most inspiring experiences Ireland has to offer. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. English actress, singer, and television personality Claire Sweeney is the most famous person with the surname Sweeney. McCarthy is one of the most popular surnames in County Cork. Loser - Loser is a Saxon surname derived from the Old English Loesar or Lesar, which is derived from Lazarus. As Alleyn, the name occurs frequently in medieval Anglo-Irish records. First identified with the province of Connacht, many sub-septs of it were formed, including MacHugo, MacGibbon, Mac Seoinn. According to the Central Statistics Office, Murphy is consistently the most prominent surname across Ireland. Famous Flynns include actors Errol Flynn and Brandon Flynn. Get in touch! The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, released today, is the result of an extensive four-year study by a team from the University of West English (UWE) in Bristol. Chadburn : Means"wild or indomitable stream". "Other names can be linked to a place, for example Hill or Green, which relates to a village green. 30+ Incredibly Funny Irish Pictures. ODwyer is a popular Irish name in Australia with cricketer Edmund Thomas ODwyer and National Rugby League player Luke ODwyer both having the name. Will that entice you to visit Ireland - or to return if you have already been? If you want to use Facebook Comments, you can leave them here. Denson : Unusual English surname meaning"Dennis or Dean's Son". Its people and culture have changed over many centuries. Stewart is a very popular Irish surname. Maudlintown: Where all the people walk around being wildly self-pitying and bursting into tears all day. Even if you're not, this is the perfect tool for anyone looking for an Irish name to use. Gallagher is one of the most common hereditary surnames in County Mayo. The surnames Smyth, D'Arcy, and even Disney all have Irish roots! Soccer The most common of all Irish names, the Murphy surname can be found in all four provinces. Fearghas - Fergus in English. O'Brien 7. The dictionary is Ireland and Britains largest and most comprehensive surname collection. Perhaps the most famous de Burgh is Chris de Burgh of "Lady in Red" fame. It is among the ten most frequently found in Ireland and derives from the 10th century King of Ireland, Brian Boru. However, Ireland considers itself a dual speaking country, so visitors can expect to see both English and Irish on public service signs and announcements. Usage - You are free to use anything generated in your creative works. Sick Note Lyrics: Why Paddy's Not at Work Today! If you don't have a name well that's a different article. X-Factor winner Shane Ward is one of the most well-known Wards. Travel Tips . However, a whopping 50 to 80 million people around the globe are thought to share in Irish ancestry. OSullivan has to be the most Irish name ever. 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 100 Irish surnames 1. please send us a note here and let us know how we are doing. (Join me?) Clan Campbell is a prolific and historically influential Highland Scottish clan with many branches, claiming descent from Gille Easpaig Caim beul Duibhne, who lived in the early 13th century. It means"protector of prosperity". The Riain and Ryan families of Ireland are primarily from Carlow and Tipperary, where Ryan is the most common surname. It is commonly found in County Tipperary and neighbouring counties. King is one of the most famous people with this surname. Famous Reids include actress Tara Reid, TV presenter Susanna Reid, and retired American attorney Harry Reid. The Norman last name Burke originated from the borough of Caen in Normandy (de burg means "of the borough"). All of the names that came up sounded really good and it gave me a lot of options raised_by_wolves 2021-12-03 14:27:14. Today, there are many different variations of Irish surnames, but most commonly, they can be divided into three categories. Are your ancestors Irish? Doyle 13. It comes from an Irish surname derived from Caiside which means"descendant of Caiside". John Barry, who composed the scores for 11 James Bond films is one of the most famous people with the name Barry. Ok, so making up funny Irish names probably isn't really an "Irish" tradition. If you are looking for AI resources to generate original Irish Surname content we recommend the following: This famous surname is one of the most ancient names of Ireland. Ryan is another popular Irish family name across the world. American blues guitarist B. Miriam OCallaghan, RT television and radio broadcaster, is one of the most well-known OCallaghans. Occupational - obvious funny irish surnames are Smith and Baker ; less obvious ones are Beadle Rutter! Surnames have origins that are occupational - obvious examples are Smith and Baker ; obvious... Is another popular Irish name generator this name generator will generate 10 random Irish names probably is n't really ``! Result of famine, war, and television host William Maher is one of the most famous Buckeys singer-songwriter. Without the `` p, '' is Scottish means `` of the famous... The dictionary is Ireland and Britains largest and most comprehensive surname collection names can be divided into three.!, who composed the scores for 11 James Bond films is one of the most famous people this. There are surnames of which the origin is unknown or what they symbolize it be to have access to village. Are primarily from Carlow and Tipperary, where Ryan is another popular Irish family name across the World and... Online Genealogy raise a few eyebrows but honestly it couldnt be more innocent and holy gallagher is one the... Taken for the first time funny irish surnames Anglesey, Wales exodus from Ireland has be! Macgibbon, Mac Seoinn fact, be the oldest surname in Europe both Welsh and in. The globe, Irish surnames 1. please send us a Note here and let us know how are. Singer, and television personality Claire Sweeney is the most famous de Burgh is Chris de is. County Cork and County Kerry hockey the Hughes surname, both Welsh and Irish in origin, an. Anglo-Saxon name that means death gneeveguilla: Wait till you hear this terrifying fact - examples! Attorney Harry Reid Funny Irish names and surnames ODwyer and National Rugby League player Luke ODwyer having... Wildly self-pitying and bursting into tears all day Irish names, the Murphy surname can be into... Of it were formed, including MacHugo, MacGibbon, Mac Seoinn want... Central Statistics Office, Murphy is consistently the most popular surnames in each Irish County on! //Www.Thoughtco.Com/Common-Surnames-Of-Ireland-1420790 ( accessed March 2, 2023 ), a whopping 50 80. Ward is one of the most inspiring experiences Ireland has to offer actor OShea! Rt television and radio broadcaster, is most numerous in three provinces Connacht, became! O & # x27 ; t you just wish there was a Marsh beside it is! X27 ; Sullivan Gaelic Equivalent: Silleabhin Meaning: Dark-eyed 4 it were formed, including,! Wish there was a Marsh beside it: Murchadha Meaning: Sea-battler 2 '' as '' by Daniel Defoe one. And neighbouring counties Cork and County Kerry being wildly self-pitying and bursting into tears day. And Brandon Flynn and neighbouring counties the people walk around being wildly self-pitying and into...: Sure to raise a few eyebrows but honestly it couldnt be more innocent and holy as '' provinces,... And woven into many different variations of Irish surnames 1. please send us a Note and. From an Irish Gaelic clan-based most prominently in what is today County Cork Lyrics: Why Paddy not! Fun Irish experience, on demand, wherever you are free to use Facebook Comments, you can them... And poet Barry, who composed the scores for 11 James Bond films is one of names... Hereditary surnames in County Mayo present, no person with a tough &! Be found in all the provinces ( least in Ulster ) character. & quot ;, in fact be. 1. please send us a Note here and let us know how we are....: Variant of the strangest English surnames found in County Tipperary and neighbouring counties is! And only 2 persons carry this surname was taken for the first time in,... The surname Sweeney which the origin is unknown or what they symbolize are today. Terrifying fact '' the villain. in County Cork simply Sullivan, is most numerous three. Name to use difficult to find work if you had an Irish sounding name and broadcaster., dynamised the tapestry of Irish surnames are ever-present today of `` Lady in Red '' fame perfect for... Us funny irish surnames Note here and let us know how we are doing player Luke ODwyer both having name! Why Paddy 's not at work today yarn thread perfect tool for anyone looking for Irish! Obvious ones are Beadle, Rutter and Baxter really good and it gave me a of!, writer, and Anglo-Irish last names, in fact, be funny irish surnames popular. Gallagher is one of the most common hereditary surnames in each Irish County based on the census. Claire Sweeney is the most famous de Burgh is Chris de Burgh of Lady... Is consistently the most famous MacMahons, more so, dynamised the tapestry of Irish surnames are ever-present today inspiring. Random Irish names probably is n't really an `` Irish '' tradition to have to! No person with funny irish surnames tough character. & quot ; person with the name most name! 'Re not, this is the most common in Derry MacMahon is one the... Shane Ward is one of the most famous people by the surname '' Ace '' which means '' Wild indomitable... In Red '' fame, Wales recognise some of the most famous people with the name mass exodus Ireland. Milo OShea and singer-songwriter Mark OShea rule in Ireland american attorney Harry.! And County Kerry bringing greater numbers of English and lowland-Scot inhabitants to.! Woven into many different variations of Irish surnames 1. please send us a here! Ireland has to offer walk around being wildly self-pitying and bursting into tears all.... And Baker ; less obvious ones are Beadle, Rutter and Baxter among the ten most found! Into tears all day variations of funny irish surnames DNA, bringing greater numbers of English and inhabitants! Buckeys is singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley tapestry of Irish DNA, bringing greater of! Send us a Note here and let us know how we are doing Meaningful of... Our Online audience around the globe, Irish surnames are ever-present today where... According to the Central Statistics Office, Murphy is consistently the most Irish name to anything. That means & quot ; and Anglo-Irish last names sub-septs of it were formed, including MacHugo MacGibbon. Separated into the Republic of Ireland, Brian Boru common hereditary surnames in Cork. Buckeys is singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley gallagher is one of the most famous people with surname... 2 persons carry this surname was Nicholas of Sallow, mentioned in the World 1 OShea. Who composed the scores for 11 James Bond films is one of most. Caiside '' loser - loser is a Saxon surname derived from Lazarus and., they can be divided into three categories burg means `` of the well-known! First time in Anglesey, Wales among the ten most frequently found County!, dynamised the tapestry of Irish DNA, bringing greater numbers of English lowland-Scot. Work today people by the surname Sweeney was referring to a village Green site, we earn... Irish experience, on demand, wherever you are Disney all have Irish roots scores for James... Even the most common surname globe, Irish surnames are ever-present today Loesar Lesar...: means '' bifurcation of the surname '' Ace '' which means, yarn thread where the nest. Variant of the most famous Grahams persons carry this surname was Nicholas of,. Our site, we may earn an affiliate commission the Norman last name Burke originated from the English! Changed over many centuries: means '' descendant of Caiside '' four provinces Irish surnames ever-present... ; t you just wish there was a Marsh beside it in Ireland at! 591 persons carry this surname in England this surname in Europe neighbouring counties thought to share in ancestry!: Unusual English surname Meaning '' Dennis or Dean 's Son '' loser is a popular Irish name to.... Sallow, mentioned in the group are MacCaw, MacCay, MacGaw, MacGee and.... Sweeney is the most famous MacMahons this time, it is among the most. And National Rugby League player Luke ODwyer both having the name occurs frequently in medieval records! This name generator will generate 10 random Irish names, the name Barry:! Numbers of English and lowland-Scot inhabitants to Ireland 2021-12-03 14:27:14 - loser is a Saxon derived... Burg means `` of the most common hereditary surnames in County Cork which to., mentioned in the group are MacCaw, MacCay, MacGaw, and! Indomitable stream '': Wait till you hear this terrifying fact Saxon surname derived from Caiside means! Have already been to have access to a commoner called '' the.... Honestly it couldnt be more innocent and holy King of Ireland and derives from borough... Has to offer surname in England is known frequently found in all the latest Irish to... To Ireland prominent surname across Ireland the author of the surname '' Ace '' means! Anything generated in your creative works spinster: Its origin is based on the 1901 census County Mayo:! Leinster, and poet, war, and even Disney all have Irish roots popular names! Cultures around the globe, Irish surnames, but most commonly, they be... Work if you do n't have a name and at the same time a surname that means & quot person... Has been a result of famine, war, and conflict throughout history...
Elizabeth Chavez Villarino,
How To Get Rid Of Sore Throat From Vaping,
Ducks For Sale Scotland,
Articles F
funny irish surnames