500 Best Irish Last Names with Meanings For 2025
Discover the rich heritage and timeless charm of Ireland through this collection of 500 of the best Irish last names with their meanings. From ancient Gaelic clans to modern favorites, each surname tells a story of lineage, pride, and tradition. Whether you’re tracing your Irish ancestry, seeking a name for a character, or simply love Irish culture, this list covers it all from common and royal Irish surnames to unique, rare, and cool Irish family names for 2025.
Common Irish Last Names (2025)

- Murphy – Descendant of sea warrior.
- Kelly – Bright-headed or warrior.
- O’Sullivan – Descendant of the dark-eyed one.
- Walsh – Stranger or foreigner (from Wales).
- Smith – Metalworker or craftsman.
- O’Brien – Descendant of Brian, meaning noble.
- Byrne – Descendant of Bran, meaning raven.
- Ryan – Little king.
- O’Connor – Descendant of Conchobhar, lover of hounds.
- O’Neill – Descendant of Niall, meaning champion.
- Doyle – Dark foreigner.
- McCarthy – Son of Carthach, meaning loving.
- Gallagher – Descendant of the foreign helper.
- Doherty – Harmful or obstructive one.
- Kennedy – Helmet-headed.
- Lynch – Seafarer or mariner.
- Murray – Lord or master of the sea.
- Quinn – Wise or intelligent.
- Moore – Great or majestic.
- McGrath – Son of grace.
- Carroll – Champion or warrior.
- Connolly – Fierce as a hound.
- Daly – From Dalach, meaning assembly.
- Keane – Ancient or enduring.
- Brennan – Little teardrop or sorrow.
- Reilly – Courageous or valiant.
- Shea – Majestic or hawk-like.
- Power – From the Poor family, settlers from France.
- Collins – Young warrior.
- Farrell – Hero or brave man.
- Flanagan – Red or ruddy.
- Nolan – Noble or famous.
- Flynn – Son of the red-haired one.
- Barry – Spear or sharp.
- Fitzpatrick – Son of Patrick.
- Regan – Little king or impulsive.
- Hayes – Fire or heat.
- Casey – Brave in battle.
- Ward – Guardian or watchman.
- Foley – Plunderer.
- Mahon – Bear-like or strong.
- Healy – Ingenious or clever.
- Hurley – Sea-tide or wave.
- Finnegan – Fair or white-haired.
- Keegan – Fiery or small flame.
- Curran – Hero or champion.
- Moran – Great or large.
- Hogan – Young or youthful.
- Clarke – Cleric or scholar.
- Cullen – Handsome or good-looking.
🌿 Popular Irish Last Names

- Delaney – Challenger or defiant.
- O’Rourke – Descendant of Ruarc, famous ruler.
- Donovan – Dark warrior.
- Kavanagh – Handsome or comely.
- O’Leary – Calf herder.
- Dowling – Dark-haired.
- Burke – From the fortress.
- Callaghan – Bright-headed.
- Clancy – Red warrior.
- Doran – Stranger or exile.
- Harrington – From the stony ground.
- McDonagh – Brown warrior.
- O’Malley – Descendant of the devotee of St. John.
- Larkin – Fierce or rough.
- Mullen – Bald or tonsured one.
- Phelan – Wolf.
- Sheehan – Peaceful or gentle.
- McMahon – Bear’s son.
- Hanley – Ruler or prince.
- Duffy – Dark or swarthy.
- Redmond – Protector or counsel.
- Roche – From the rock.
- Sweeney – Pleasant or well-disposed.
- Tobin – From St. Aubin in France.
- Corcoran – Purple or ruddy-faced.
- Meagher – Hospitable.
- McLoughlin – Viking descendant.
- Kane – Warrior or tribute.
- Mulcahy – Proud or spirited.
- Costello – From the old castle.
- Boland – Little bald one.
- Horan – Nobleman.
- MacNamara – Son of the sea hound.
- Gorman – Blue or noble.
- Egan – Little fiery one.
- O’Shea – Descendant of the hawk-like one.
- Carey – From the weir.
- Coughlan – Heroic or valorous.
- O’Keeffe – Descendant of the gentle one.
- Kearney – Victorious or triumphant.
- Hickey – Healer.
- O’Dwyer – Dark or noble.
- Rowan – Little red one.
- O’Meara – Bitter or sharp.
- O’Donoghue – Brown-haired chieftain.
- Brophy – Muddy or marshy.
- Kinsella – Proud or royal.
- O’Hara – Descendant of Eaghra.
- O’Dowd – The dark-complexioned one.
- Malone – Devotee of St. John.
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🏺 Old Irish Last Names

- O’Loughlin – Descendant of the Viking warrior.
- MacCarthy – Loving one.
- O’Cahill – Strong in battle.
- O’Flaherty – Bright or radiant.
- MacDermott – Son of Diarmaid.
- O’Murchadha – Sea warrior.
- O’Grady – Noble or illustrious.
- O’Tierney – Lordly or masterful.
- O’Higgins – Viking or descendant of Uigín.
- MacMurrough – Sea battler.
- MacSweeney – Pleasant or agreeable.
- O’Toole – Mighty people.
- O’Rafferty – Prosperous or wealthy.
- O’Boyle – Having profitable possessions.
- MacMahon – Son of the bear.
- O’Beirne – Sharp or keen.
- MacDowell – Dark stranger.
- O’Hehir – Peaceful or calm.
- O’Clery – Scholar or learned one.
- O’Dea – Fire or flame.
- MacSharry – Son of the foal.
- O’Halloran – Nobleman’s descendant.
- MacEntee – Free or noble.
- MacNeill – Son of Niall.
- O’Scanlon – Little trapper or slanderer.
- MacEvoy – Son of the yellow one.
- O’Sheedy – Peaceful.
- O’Cullen – Handsome or good.
- MacGuinness – Fair or white.
- MacTiernan – Lordly one.
- O’Hea – Descendant of the fiery one.
- O’Doherty – Injurious or obstructive.
- MacCracken – Strong or sturdy.
- O’Dempsey – Proud or noble.
- MacGowan – Blacksmith.
- O’Daly – Assembly or meeting.
- O’Heaney – Generous.
- MacPartlin – Descendant of Bartley.
- O’Moran – Great or noble.
- MacBrady – Spirited or lively.
- O’Shaughnessy – Wise or learned.
- MacKillop – Son of the horseman.
- O’Rourke – Famous ruler.
- MacMullen – Bald or devout.
- O’Flinn – Ruddy warrior.
- O’Donovan – Dark warrior.
- MacDonagh–Brown fighter.
- O’Lennon – Cloak wearer.
- MacCusker – Swift or alert.
- O’Callery – Bright headed.
👑 Royal Irish Last Names (2025)
- O’Conor – Descendant of Conchobhar, meaning high desire; ancient kings of Connacht.
- MacMurrough – Sea warrior; royal family of Leinster.
- O’Neill – Champion; royal dynasty of Ulster.
- O’Brien – Noble; kings of Munster descent.
- O’Donnell – World-mighty; rulers of Tyrconnell.
- O’Carroll – Champion or warrior; ancient lords of Ely.
- O’Rourke – Famous ruler; princes of Breifne.
- O’Reilly – Courageous; lords of East Breifne.
- MacCarthy – Loving one; princes of Desmond.
- O’Loughlin – Viking descendant; kings of the Burren.
- MacMahon – Bear’s son; kings of Thomond.
- O’Toole – Mighty people; royal house of Leinster.
- O’Donnell – Brown-haired ruler; powerful Gaelic dynasty.
- O’Byrne – Descendant of Bran; Leinster nobility.
- O’Daly – Poet’s family; scholars of royal courts.
- MacDermott – Free man; kings of Moylurg.
- O’Malley – Devotee of St. John; noble seafaring clan.
- O’Donoghue – Brown-haired chieftain; rulers of Lough Leane.
- O’Dowd – Dark-complexioned; royal family of Connacht.
- O’Cahan – Battle-born; royal house of Ulster.
- MacTiernan – Noble lord.
- O’Hanlon – Descendant of the champion.
- O’Flaherty – Bright; princes of Iar-Connacht.
- MacSweeney – Noble or agreeable; hereditary chiefs.
- O’Madden – Dog or warrior; lords of Longford.
- MacNamara – Son of the sea hound; Dalcassian chieftains.
- O’Shaughnessy – Learned; hereditary rulers in Galway.
- O’Hara – Noble or lordly; ancient Connacht family.
- O’Cahill – Strong in battle; noble bloodline.
- MacLochlainn – Viking descendant; kings of Ailech.
- O’Driscoll – Interpreter; rulers of West Cork.
- O’Grady – Illustrious; descendants of a noble Dalcassian family.
- MacGuinness – Fair; Ulster chieftains.
- O’Farrell – Brave; princes of Annaly.
- O’Dea – Fire or flame; heroic clan of Clare.
- O’Dempsey – Proud; lords of Clanmalier.
- O’Beirne – Sharp or keen; Leinster nobility.
- O’Clery – Scholar; hereditary historians.
- O’Cullen – Handsome; noble family of Munster.
- MacBrady – Spirited; rulers of Cavan.
- O’Kelly – Bright-headed; royal house of Uí Maine.
- MacSharry – Noble steed; hereditary knights.
- O’Hehir – Gentle; noble family of Clare.
- MacGowan – Smith; respected clan artisans.
- O’Higgins – Viking or noble; royal counselors.
- O’Cullenan – Handsome; royal retainers.
- MacPartlin – Noble of Bartley’s line.
- O’Heaney – Generous; noble-hearted family.
- O’Tierney – Lordly one; chieftain of old.
- MacMahon – Bear’s son; monarch of Ulster.
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🍀 Uncommon Irish Last Names

- Faherty – Man of destiny.
- Gildea – Servant of God.
- Hanratty – Champion or ruler.
- Kiernan – Little dark one.
- Lavelle – Light or radiant.
- Naughton – Pure or holy.
- O’Larkin – Fierce warrior.
- Scully – Herald or messenger.
- Tormey – Thunder spirit.
- Cahill – Battle-strong.
- Furey – Bold or fiery.
- Grealish – Noble stoneworker.
- Hession – Descendant of the chosen.
- Kirwan – Small churchman.
- Looney – Strong warrior.
- Manion – Monk or holy man.
- Nealon – Champion or small one.
- O’Reagan – Little king.
- Plunkett – Noble landholder.
- Quinlan – Graceful or strong.
- Rafferty – Prosperous.
- Scannell – Small or active one.
- Taaffe – Gentle or mild.
- O’Treacy – Warlike.
- Muldoon – Dark-skinned.
- O’Cleary – Scholar or scribe.
- Breslin – Strife or conflict.
- Cradden – Spirited or lively.
- Dervan – Fervent.
- Enright – Mighty king.
- Finucane – Fair or noble.
- Gilroy – Servant of the king.
- Heenan – Gentle one.
- Ivers – Archer or bowman.
- Joyce – Joyful or cheerful.
- Killeen – Little church.
- Lally – Noble protector.
- Madden – Dog or warrior.
- Nevin – Holy or saintly.
- O’Hanly – Ruler or chief.
- Pender – Thoughtful or pensive.
- Rogan – Red-haired.
- Sheeran – Peaceful or gentle.
- Talty – Noble or steadfast.
- Vaughan – Small or junior.
- Whelan – Joyful or merry.
- Cussen – Intelligent or clever.
- Eivers – Archer or hunter.
- Halvey – Heroic one.
- Tighe – Poet or philosopher.
🌈 Irish Unique Last Names

- Ahearne – Lordly or noble.
- Bohane – Victorious.
- Carrigy – From the rock.
- Delahunty – Brave-hearted.
- Eustace – Fruitful or steadfast.
- Feeney – Fiery or passionate.
- Gogarty – Scholar or learned one.
- Haverty – Bright and radiant.
- Igoe – Archer or strong fighter.
- Jarlath – Tribute or noble.
- Kilmartin – Follower of St. Martin.
- Lucey – Light.
- MacBride – Son of the devotee.
- Nevins – Holy or pure.
- O’Dornan – Dark or dusky.
- O’Clooney – Meadow dweller.
- Patten – Noble or holy.
- Quealy – Graceful.
- Reddan – Red or ruddy.
- Shanahan – Old or wise one.
- Tiernan – Noble or lordly.
- Uíbhlaigh – Descendant of noble.
- Vereker – Of truth or honesty.
- Wrafter – Weaver or craftsman.
- Bastible – Cook or food provider.
- Candon – Little warrior.
- Devine – Poet or prophetic.
- Fennessy – Constant or faithful.
- Glavin – Bright or pure.
- Hanly – Ruler or nobleman.
- Keon – Ardent or fiery.
- Lyons – Lion-like.
- Merrigan – Joyous or cheerful.
- O’Gara – Watchful or vigilant.
- O’Mahony – Bear or strong one.
- O’Scanlon – Little trapper.
- Prendergast – Defender or protector.
- Riordan – Poet or bard.
- Sexton – Church officer.
- Toner – Tender or soft.
- Varden – Green valley.
- Wogan – Young warrior.
- Bannon – White or fair.
- Carbery – From the rocky place.
- Droney – Strong or steadfast.
- Gallivan – Bold or adventurous.
- Harkin – Dark or hidden.
- Kilcoyne – From the woods.
- Mulqueen – Gentle or noble lady.
- O’Meehan – Son of the kind one.
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🍀 Irish Rare Last Names (2025)
- Branagan – Raven or dark-haired one.
- Clohessy – From the small stone fortress.
- Devaney – Fierce or wild one.
- Farragher – Man of the plough or worker.
- Gavaghan – Anxious or cautious.
- Heffernan – Peaceful or humble.
- Keenan – Ancient or wise.
- Laffan – Calm or gentle.
- Magauran – Descendant of the noble one.
- Nestor – Wise or elder.
- O’Mulvey – Chief or leader.
- Pettit – Little or small.
- Quilty – From the woodland.
- Ruan – Red-haired.
- Shanley – Old warrior.
- Teahan – Little poet.
- Vaugh – Small or humble.
- Wyer – Noble defender.
- O’Doohan – Dark-haired.
- Blake – Black or dark.
- Cullenan – Handsome one.
- Deehan – Devoted or faithful.
- Fallon – Leader or ruler.
- Grealish – Of noble descent.
- Harnett – Strong or hardy.
- Kiely – Graceful or beautiful.
- Lehane – Servant of the saint.
- Moylan – Bald or tonsured.
- Neville – From the new town.
- O’Mulcahy – Proud one.
- Power – From the Poor family; Norman settlers.
- Reddin – Red-haired.
- Shiel – Peaceful or calm.
- Talbot – Messenger or courier.
- Varian – Brave or true.
- Whitty – Clever or bright.
- O’Delaney – Challenger or defiant.
- Goggin – Small and lively.
- Lucey – Light or radiant.
- Mulhern – Devoted one.
- O’Kielty – Graceful.
- Purtill – Wise or sensible.
- Quain – Graceful or elegant.
- Ruttledge – From the red hill.
- Slevin – Mountain man.
- Tully – Peaceful or quiet.
- Vernon – Alder tree grove.
- Wade – River crosser.
- Yore – Ancient or old one.
- Zanley – Nobleman’s descendant.
Irish Last Names Starting with M
- MacAuley – Son of Olaf.
- MacCabe – Son of the cap.
- MacCann – Son of the wolf cub.
- MacCarthy – Loving one.
- MacCourt – Son of the tailor.
- MacCoy – Son of Aodh, meaning fire.
- MacCrum – Crooked or bent one.
- MacCurtain – Courteous or well-bred.
- MacDermott – Free man.
- MacDonagh – Brown warrior.
- MacDonnell – World ruler.
- MacDowell – Dark stranger.
- MacEvoy – Son of the yellow one.
- MacFadden – Son of little Patrick.
- MacFarlane – Son of Parlan, little stranger.
- MacGinty – Gentle or fair.
- MacGrath – Son of grace.
- MacGuinness – Fair or white.
- MacHale – Generous or noble.
- MacKeown – Son of Eoghan.
- MacKernan – Little dark one.
- MacLaughlin – Viking descendant.
- MacLoughlin – Descendant of Lochlainn.
- MacMahon – Bear’s son.
- MacManus – Great or strong.
- MacNamara – Son of the sea hound.
- MacNulty – Mighty or powerful.
- MacPartlin – Noble of Bartley’s line.
- MacQuaid – Son of the wolf.
- MacSweeney – Pleasant or agreeable.
- Madden – Dog or warrior.
- Magner – Heroic or strong.
- Maher – Skilled or expert.
- Maloney – Devotee of St. John.
- Mangan – Spirited or lively.
- Mannix – Little monk.
- Mara – Of the sea.
- Markey – Warrior of Mars.
- Martin – Of Mars or warlike.
- McEvoy – Yellow-haired one.
- McGlynn – Pure or clean.
- Meehan – Son of the gentle one.
- Melvin – Gentle lord.
- Moloney – Servant of St. John.
- Monahan – Monk or solitary man.
- Moran – Great or large.
- Moynihan – Devout or prayerful.
- Mulcahy – Proud or spirited.
- Murphy – Sea warrior.
- Murray – Lord of the sea.
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🌟 Famous Irish Last Names
- Kennedy – Helmet-headed; U.S. presidential family.
- O’Connell – Mighty warrior; Daniel O’Connell, statesman.
- Joyce – Joyful; James Joyce, novelist.
- Yeats – Poet; W.B. Yeats.
- Wilde – Wild or spirited; Oscar Wilde, playwright.
- Collins – Young warrior; Michael Collins, revolutionary.
- Bono (Hewson) – Good; U2’s frontman.
- Beckett – Bee cottage; Samuel Beckett, writer.
- O’Donnell – World-mighty; ancient royal name.
- Carson – Marsh dwellers; Edward Carson, politician.
- Enya (Ní Bhraonáin) – Little seed; singer.
- O’Reilly – Courageous; media tycoon family.
- McGregor – Son of the watchful; Conor McGregor.
- Ronan – Little seal; actor Ronan Keating.
- Farrell – Brave; actor Colin Farrell.
- O’Hara – Noble; Maureen O’Hara, actress.
- Cusack – From Cussac; John and Sinéad Cusack, actors.
- Gleeson – Servant or follower; Brendan Gleeson, actor.
- Doherty – Harmful one; Pete Doherty, musician.
- Gallagher – Foreign helper; Liam Gallagher, singer.
- O’Neill – Champion; playwright Eugene O’Neill.
- Lynch – Seafarer; John Lynch, historian.
- Ryan – Little king; actor Meg Ryan.
- Walsh – Foreigner; talk show host Dermot Walsh.
- Murphy – Sea warrior; actor Cillian Murphy.
- Doyle – Dark foreigner; author Arthur Conan Doyle.
- Fitzgerald – Son of Gerald; F. Scott Fitzgerald.
- O’Sullivan – Dark-eyed one; singer Gilbert O’Sullivan.
- Finnegan – Fair; from “Finnegan’s Wake.”
- Horan – Nobleman; singer Niall Horan.
- McCourt – Courtier; Frank McCourt, writer.
- O’Casey – Vigilant; playwright Seán O’Casey.
- Kavanagh – Handsome; poet Patrick Kavanagh.
- Sheeran – Peaceful; Ed Sheeran.
- Heaney – Generous; poet Seamus Heaney.
- Riley – Courageous; actor Talulah Riley.
- O’Rourke – Famous ruler; politician Beto O’Rourke.
- Tobin – St. Aubin descendant; musician Liam Tobin.
- Fitzpatrick – Son of Patrick; actor Noah Fitzpatrick.
- Quinn – Wise; actor Anthony Quinn.
- Nolan – Noble; filmmaker Christopher Nolan.
- Kelly – Bright-headed; singer R. Kelly.
- O’Keefe – Gentle; artist Georgia O’Keeffe.
- Connolly – Fierce as a hound; leader James Connolly.
- O’Donnell – Ruler; actress Rosie O’Donnell.
- Flanagan – Ruddy; actor Tommy Flanagan.
- Moore – Great; poet Thomas Moore.
- Cassidy – Clever; singer David Cassidy.
- Power – Strong; actor Tyrone Power.
- O’Dowd – Dark-complexioned; actor Chris O’Dowd.
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☘️ Irish Last Names Starting with “Mc”
- McAteer – Son of the carpenter.
- McBride – Son of the devotee.
- McCabe – Son of the cape.
- McCann – Son of the wolf cub.
- McCarthy – Loving one.
- McCauley – Son of Olaf.
- McCluskey – Hard or strong one.
- McCole – Victorious.
- McConnell – Love or friendship.
- McCormack – Son of the raven.
- McCourt – Son of the tailor.
- McCoy – Fire or flame.
- McCracken – Sturdy or strong.
- McCullagh – Hound of the lake.
- McDonagh – Brown warrior.
- McDonnell – World ruler.
- McDowell – Dark stranger.
- McEvoy – Yellow-haired one.
- McFadden – Son of Patrick.
- McGarry – Short or strong.
- McGee – Son of Aodh, meaning fire.
- McGlynn – Pure or fair.
- McGovern – Servant of the blacksmith.
- McGrath – Son of grace.
- McGuinness – Fair or white.
- McHugh – Intelligent or wise.
- McIntyre – Carpenter or craftsman.
- McKeown – Born of Eoghan.
- McKenna – Born of the handsome one.
- McKiernan – Little dark one.
- McLoughlin – Descendant of the Viking.
- McMahon – Bear’s son.
- McManus – Strong or noble.
- McNamara – Son of the sea hound.
- McNulty – Powerful or strong.
- McPartlin – Noble lineage.
- McQuaid – Son of the wolf.
- McShane – Son of John.
- McSorley – Cheerful or bright.
- McTiernan – Lordly one.
- McTigue – Warrior or fighter.
- McVey – Quick or spirited.
- McWade – River crosser.
- McGeehan – Little flame.
- McCaul – Battle chief.
- McCusker – Swift or alert.
- McGowan – Blacksmith.
- McDonell – Ruler of the world.
- McAuley – Noble protector.
- McCall – Battle chief or son of Cathal.
🔥 Cool Irish Last Names (2025)
- Blaine – Thin or lean; sleek sound.
- Callahan – Bright-headed warrior.
- Donovan – Dark warrior.
- Finnegan – Fair warrior.
- Harkin – Dark or hidden.
- Keegan – Fiery one.
- Lennon – Cloak or lover.
- Malone – Devotee of St. John.
- Nolan – Noble or famous.
- O’Shea – Hawk-like.
- Quinn – Intelligent or wise.
- Riley – Valiant or courageous.
- Tierney – Lordly or noble.
- Brennan – Little tear or sorrow.
- Cullen – Handsome or fair.
- Dempsey – Proud or noble.
- Fallon – Ruler or leader.
- Flynn – Red-haired one.
- Gallagher – Foreign helper.
- Hogan – Young warrior.
- Kearney – Victorious one.
- Kennedy – Helmet-headed.
- Larkin – Fierce or rough.
- Moran – Great or noble.
- O’Donnell – Mighty or powerful.
- O’Hara – Noble or lordly.
- Reilly – Courageous.
- Rooney – Heroic or champion.
- Sheehan – Peaceful.
- Sweeney – Pleasant or sweet.
- Tobin – From St. Aubin.
- Vaughan – Small or junior.
- Ward – Guardian or protector.
- Walsh – Foreigner or Welshman.
- Foley – Plunderer.
- Curran – Heroic one.
- Mooney – Rich or noble.
- Power – Strong or mighty.
- Egan – Little fiery one.
- Hayes – Fire or heat.
- Barry – Sharp or spear.
- Carney – Victorious or triumphant.
- Grady – Noble or illustrious.
- Hannon – Compassionate or merciful.
- Murphy – Sea warrior.
- Finlay – Fair hero.
- Crosby – Village with cross.
- Gorman – Blue or noble.
- Daly – Assembly or meeting.
- Cassidy – Clever or curly haired.
Also Read: 500 Best Irish Names with Meanings for 2025
